The Coordinator of UNLIREC´s Public Security Programme, Dr. William Godnick, participated in the launch of a study on seized arms in Peru – 2013 Report. The report, developed by the National Superintendence for the Control of the Security Services, Arms, Ammunition and Explosives for Civilian Use (SUCAMEC), is the first of its kind in the country that attempts to address the complex issue of arms used in criminal acts.
The launch took place in the amphitheatre Monseñor José Dammert Bellido of the Pontifica Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) to discuss the link between citizen security and arms control in light of the results of the study. The study’s main conclusions found that 1 out of 3 arms seized by the National Police of Peru have a legal origin in the national market and are duly registered with SUCAMEC, whilst 2 out of 3 arms come from smuggling, unknown sources, or have altered markings.
The roundtable was moderated by Carlos Alza Barco, Director of PUCP’s School of Governance and Public Policy, with commentaries led by Dr. Godnick of UNLIREC and Sofia Viscarra, researcher of PUCP’s Laboratory of Social Criminology of the School of Governance and Public Policy.
The experts agreed with the approach of SUCAMEC to design public policies on arms control and citizen security on the basis of concrete evidence. Furthermore, they emphasized that the report encourages additional research on the causes, routes, and dynamics of arms transfers from the licit to the illicit market.
For more information on UNLIREC visit [www.unlirec.org]. Please direct all questions or inquiries to: Ms. Amanda Cowl, Political Affairs Officer, [cowl@unlirec.org].