The value of the arms trade has DOUBLED since 2006, according to the Small Arms Survey 's newest report: Small Arms Survey 2012: Moving Targets.
The Swiss-based survey valued the global trade of small arms, light weapons, parts, accessories, and ammunition at $8.5 billion dollars — up significantly from the $4 billion estimate in 2006.
The report analyzed how the arms trade has influenced the Latin American drug trade and analyzed its effect on homicides in America, among other things.
We've pulled some striking charts on the growing small arms trade.
The sale of ammunition today is more valuable than the entire small arms trade in 2006.
Almost 3/5 of all arms sales are undocumented.
Despite its economic problems, Italy exported more firearms than any other country but the United States.
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