Security & Strategic Review - June 2013 (ISSN 1741-4202)

BOLIVIA | Legislation on arms control and aircraft shootdown. On 6 June the senate approved an arms control bill that imposes strict penalties on anyone trafficking illegally in arms or munitions (10-15 years imprisonment; 25 if the guilty party is member of a criminal organisation), manufacturing arms (4-8 years; 5-10 if linked to a criminal organisation), bearing unauthorised arms (2-6 years; up to 8 if military-use arms are involved). Theft of arms or munitions from military or police arsenals is punished by up to 30 years imprisonment without entitlement to pardon if the thief is a member of the police or armed forces. The chamber of deputies is due to start debating this bill in early July.