In Latin America, violence associated with small weapons has metastasized across the hemisphere. Millions of weapons taken from government forces have worked their way into the hands of private citizens wanting to protect themselves, counter-military forces, drug cartels and urban gangs. The source of many of these weapons is the United StatesÑthrough lax gun control laws, weak law enforcement, legal governmental arms sales and covert arms sales such as those uncovered during the Iran-Contra scandal.
