At the United Nations in New York, governments renewed calls for stronger civilian protection from explosive weapons in populated areas, urging that the 2022 Political Declaration move from words to action through concrete military restraint, accountability, and collaboration ahead of the 2025 San José conference.

Europe is rapidly rearming, turning explosive weapons into engines of industry and policy. Meanwhile, debates about their potential harm to civilians are becoming more muted.

Switzerland’s gun violence rates remain low due to strict regulations and social stability, but its model is far from ideal compared to nations like Japan, where nearly no civilian gun ownership exists.