Firearms Possession by 'Non-State Actors': The Question of Sovereignty

64 Pages Posted: 15 Jun 2005

See all articles by David B. Kopel

David B. Kopel

Independence Institute; Denver University - Sturm College of Law; Cato Institute

Paul Gallant

Independence Institute

Joanne D. Eisen

Independence Institute

Abstract

The international gun prohibition movement seeks to severely restrict of eliminate the possession of firearms by non-state actors. This article argues that the prohibition on arms possession by non-state actors is contrary to the fundamental principle that the people, not the government, possess the sovereignty. The article examines the relationship between arms possession and sovereignty in several contexts: ancient Greece, Cambodia, Japan, China, East Timor, Bougainville, Niger, Angola, Zimbabwe, Uganda, the Warsaw Pact, and Bosnia.

Keywords: Arms prohibition, sovereignty, small arms & light weapons, non-state actors

JEL Classification: K14, K33, K42

Suggested Citation

Kopel, David B. and Kopel, David B. and Gallant, Paul and Eisen, Joanne D., Firearms Possession by 'Non-State Actors': The Question of Sovereignty. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=742647

David B. Kopel (Contact Author)

Denver University - Sturm College of Law ( email )

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HOME PAGE: http://https://www.cato.org/people/david-kopel

Paul Gallant

Independence Institute ( email )

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Golden, CO 80401
United States

Joanne D. Eisen

Independence Institute ( email )

14142 Denver West Parkway
Golden, CO 80401
United States

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