ABSTRACT
Anti-personnel weapons may be distinguished from anti-materiel weapons, which are primarily intended to destroy or damage inanimate objects, although some munitions are referred to as 'general purpose' and may be used both against personnel and against materiel. This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides the background to the present international legal discussions of specific anti-personnel weapons. It describes the rise of anti personnel weapons from the earliest times until the present, showing the part they have played in history. The book discusses the development of fragmentation weapons, which category includes most conventional weapons. It reviews the development of international humanitarian law with respect to conventional anti-personnel weapons. The book examines the effects of blast weapons on the human body and their development. It explains the trend towards smaller calibre and higher velocity military small arms.
