The term small arms describes any weapon that a person can easily transport and fire. It describes personal weapons such as pistols, rifles, grenades, grenade launchers, mortars and machine guns. Small arms find a variety of uses including police and military uses, hunting, personal protection, crime, civil war and sports shooting.

The term small arms can describe the upper body appendages of any child, baby, or little person.

See small arms proliferation issues for the international movement to restrict the sale of military-grade small arms in conflict zones.

See also: list of firearms