U.N. Arms Trade Treaty – Yes, Gun Owners and Gun Rights Advocates Should Be Concerned – Heritage Foundation

Theodore Bromund of the Heritage Foundation has published a well-researched and insightful article on the upcoming U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, still in its draft form, and why U.S. Citizens, gunowners, and gun rights groups should be concerned. The terms of the treaty as currently written will harm our Second Amendment rights, regardless of how those in favor of the treaty have attempted to portray it. I know Wayne LaPierre, and others like him, have warned repeatedly about what is coming, and because of that he is often portrayed as an extremist who creates unfounded fear among gunowners. Read through Bromund’s article and see the various provisions and how they will effect us. There are several provisions in this treaty, and I’ve quoted one paragraph below that will impact hunters and weapons used for self-defense, such as revolvers.

Negotiations for a new U.N. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) are supposed to be finalized in July 2012. Some of its supporters argue it would have no “impact on the ability of individuals within the United States to acquire and possess firearms.”[1] Even if this is true, it is not the only reason to be concerned about the treaty. But if the treaty comes before the Senate, its domestic effects will be of central importance. While the treaty is not yet complete, analysis of the current draft demonstrates that there are legitimate reasons to be concerned about its potential domestic effects.

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Hunting and Related Weapons Have Not Been Excluded

The U.S. position is that the ATT should not include hunting weapons. Unfortunately, many major countries have made it clear that they want the treaty to include these weapons. The draft paper notes that the ATT will cover, inter alia, small arms, light weapons, their parts or components, ammunition, and equipment used to develop, manufacture, or maintain any of these items. It does not exclude hunting weapons. This is avowedly unacceptable to the U.S. The draft also does not exclude sporting firearms or other small arms that could conceivably have a military use but are actually for self-protection, such as revolvers. . . .

Read the Heritage Foundation’s article on the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty here.