The international trade in small arms more than doubled since 2006, growing into a stunning $8.5 billion a year industry. The latest Small Arms Survey by an independent research group in Geneva found that large-scale government spending and increased purchases by American civilians, in addition to steady sales to developing countries, contributed to the upsurge.

The reported increase can also be attributed to better information and more thorough research. The result, simply put, is that the world is potentially more dangerous now than ever before.

Though the survey was the most comprehensive ever, based on thousands of documents, reports and questionnaires, the figure is likely an underestimate. Much of the information is still kept secret by countries and companies.

The $8.5 billion figure also did not include the vast illicit trade in small arms, an area the research group said it would tackle next. The new survey estimated illegal sales in small arms and light weapons to be at least $2 billion annually.

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