Editing Arms control (section)

{{Short description|Term for international restriction of weapons}}
{{Distinguish|text=a nation's or state's internal firearms regulations, called [[Gun control]]}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{War|expanded=non-warfare operations}}
'''Arms control''' is a term for international restrictions upon the development, production, stockpiling, proliferation and usage of [[small arms]], [[conventional weapon]]s, and [[weapons of mass destruction]].<ref>{{cite web |title=What Is Arms Control? |url=http://usforeignpolicy.about.com/od/defense/a/what-is-arms-control.htm |work=About.com, US Foreign Policy |publisher=The New York Times Company |access-date=13 May 2012 |author=Barry Kolodkin |format=Article |archive-date=3 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903122015/http://usforeignpolicy.about.com/od/defense/a/what-is-arms-control.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Historically, arms control may apply to melee weapons (such as swords) before the invention of [[firearm]]. Arms control is typically exercised through the use of diplomacy which seeks to impose such limitations upon consenting participants through international treaties and agreements, although it may also comprise efforts by a nation or group of nations to enforce limitations upon a non-consenting country.<ref>Stuart Croft, ''Strategies of arms control: a history and typology'' (Manchester University Press, 1996).</ref>