NRA Stops U.N. Arms Trade Treaty

United Nations Gun Control Arms Trade Treaty Fail iStock-Sakramir-534207072
United Nations Gun Control Arms Trade Treaty Fail iStock-Sakramir-534207072

Charlotte, NC –-(Ammoland.com)-  The Conference on the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (U.N. ATT) has broken down and will not report a draft treaty to the member nations.

This is a big victory for American gun owners, and the NRA is being widely credited for killing the U.N. ATT.

For nearly 20 years, the NRA has worked tirelessly to warn American gun owners about the United Nations’ efforts to undermine the constitutional rights of law-abiding American gun owners by putting in place international controls on small arms.

NRA became a recognized Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and has monitored all U.N. activities that could impact our Second Amendment rights. As a result, NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre testified before the U.N. (2012 remarks, 2011 remarks) making it clear that the NRA would fight any international treaty that included civilian arms.

NRA worked with our allies in the U.S. Congress and successfully assembled strong bipartisan opposition to any treaty that adversely impacts the Second Amendment. On two occasions NRA was successful in convincing a majority of the U.S. Senate to sign letters to President Obama that made it clear that any treaty that included civilian arms was not going to be ratified by the U.S. Senate.

Yesterday (July 26), Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) gathered the signatures of 51 Senators on a letter to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton opposing any treaty that infringes on our rights. The letter stated “As the treaty process continues, we strongly encourage your administration not only to uphold our country’s constitutional protections of civilian firearms ownership, but to ensure–if necessary, by breaking consensus at the July conference–that the treaty will explicitly recognize the legitimacy of lawful activities associated with firearms, including but not limited to the right of self-defense. As members of the United States Senate, we will oppose the ratification of any Arms Trade Treaty that falls short of this standard.”

NRA members made their voices heard on this issue as well, calling their elected representatives and urging their opposition to the treaty.  As a result, 130 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have voiced strong opposition to the treaty.

During the past week, it became increasingly possible that the Conference would fail to come to an agreement on draft language.  On Thursday, the Conference President produced yet another draft of the ATT in an effort to salvage the process. The new draft, like previous ones, was wholly incompatible with the Second Amendment rights protected by our Constitution.

The proponents of the treaty have goals that are clearly at odds with the American Constitution. Their refusal to remove civilian arms from the treaty was one major issue that led to the breakdown in negotiations.  The U.S. delegation made it clear that they could not move forward with the language as it had been drafted.

While this conference has failed to complete a treaty, the proponents will not give up.  It is likely that a new conference will be held in the future and NRA will continue to fight to protect the rights of American gun owners.

NRA maintains its steadfast opposition to any treaty that includes civilian arms in any way.  NRA will continue to work with our allies, particularly in the U.S. Senate, to ensure that the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is not threatened by this or any future international treaty.


About NRA-ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org.

NRA - Institute for Legislative Action

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Tony Heaton

Also TSgt B, how am I a sore loser? I don't support the ATT. I don't even support the U.N.! so get your facts straight.

Tony Heaton

Gosh TSgt B, the NRA supported the DISCLOSE act after they got a waiver in the law. The NRA tried to kill Heller when it was Parker and then wormed it's way into the SCOTUS oral arguments. The NRA supported the attempt to disarm returning veterans. The NRA supported the 1968 GCA and the 1934 NFA. So forgive me if I don't feel that the NRA puts rights above revenue!

Bill

The NRA and OTHERS did stop the treaty for now but the full court press is now being applied by the anti-gunners nation wide. Now they want regulation of mail order ammo sales with purchase reporting requirements! The NRA has a less than stellar record of supporting gun rights. After all they supported the NICS, 68GCA and they (ISRA/NRA) wrote the Illinois FOID card law! While I applaud the NRA for the recent efforts I will NOT send them a dime until they start REPEALING or ROLLING BACK gun control laws!!!!! Once they start REPEALING LAWS I will be forced… Read more »

TSgt B

Gosh, Tony, talk about a sore loser! Why, you're so upset you can't even get your facts straight.

Tony Heaton

"For nearly 20 years, the NRA has worked tirelessly to warn American gun owners about the United Nations’ efforts to undermine the constitutional rights of law-abiding American gun owners by putting in place international controls on small arms."

Let's fix that: For nearly 20 years, the NRA has worked tirelessly to increase the bank accounts of their executives. If the Second Amendment or even the First, gets in the way of that goal, they are just trampled over.

There, that is much more accurate!

EthanP

We won this battle. The war continues.

"Water sleeps. Enemy never rests".