ABSTRACT
In an uncertain world, one of the presently agreed verities is that revolutionary violence, terrorism and irregular war are growth areas. Weapons procurement procedures for revolutionary organizations must take into account certain factors rarely of concern to conventional governments. In any case most revolutionaries would like more, even if the new weapons may create problems. The necessary skills may not be available and technicians may thus have to be imported; the new weapons may determine inappropriate tactics; and the ease of acquisition may not inculcate effective revolutionary habits of mind. The most effective weapons to arrive in Northern Ireland have been the civilian version of the M-16, the Colt AR-15, and the AR-180 Armalite, first manufactured in Japan for an American company, Armalite Corporation of Costa Mesa, California. Proliferation of the new light weapons is—seemingly—assured. And, basically, it is escalation, not proliferation, that will threaten stability.
