The Small Arms Working Group(SAWG) is an alliance of US-based non-governmental groups

Non-governmental organization

A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...

  working together to promote change in US and international policies on small arms

Small arms

Small arms is a term of art used by armed forces to denote infantry weapons an individual soldier may carry. The description is usually limited to revolvers, pistols, submachine guns, carbines, assault rifles, battle rifles, multiple barrel firearms, sniper rifles, squad automatic weapons, light...

. SAWG members believe that small arms proliferation

Small arms proliferation

Small arms proliferation is a term used by organizations and individuals advocating the control of small arms and their trade; the term has no precise definition...

 must be countered by more responsible policies on legal sales and international co-operation to reduce illicit trafficking. Participation in SAWG is open to any organizations that support its objectives.