Arms control is a broad term alluding to a range of political concepts and aims. In an increasingly pacifistic world arms control has been increasingly emphasised on the international political agenda.

The term "arms control" often alludes to disarmament - whether small arms (handheld), or large scale (often nuclear). The former is a common occurrence in many societies and is usually conducted by the police with the aim of reducing arms violence; the latter is an important objective of the peace movement.

Treaties and conventions related to arms control

• Geneva Protocol on chemical and biological weapons, 1925 and its two augumentations:
  • Biological Weapons Convention, 1972
  • Chemical Weapons Convention, 1993
• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, 1968
• Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, 1972
• Environmental Modification Convention, 1976
• Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, 1987
• Wassenaar Arrangement, 1996
• Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, 1996

See also

• Gun control
• Nuclear disarmament