NRA at U.N. Arms Trade Meeting

As we have done in the past, NRA attended a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty meeting in New York City this week.

The so called "Arms Trade Treaty Preparatory Committee" is being attended by almost 500 U.N. delegates and non-governmental organization (NGO) representatives.  NRA is the leading pro-firearm NGO at the U.N. and has taken the strong and clear position that any Arms Trade Treaty must in no way impact gun owners’ rights.

This sentiment echoes what NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre said in a speech last July at the United Nations, when he told the audience of delegates from approximately 150 U.N. member states that NRA would vehemently oppose any U.N. treaty that in any way restricts American gun owners’ rights. (To watch the speech, please click here.)

For nearly 20 years, NRA has worked tirelessly to oppose any United Nations effort to undermine the constitutional rights of law-abiding American gun owners.  In order for any treaty to take effect, however, it must be ratified by two-thirds of the U.S. Senate.   To ensure that any ATT that includes civilian arms is dead on arrival in the Senate, NRA has been working to get as many U.S. Senators as possible to publicly oppose any ATT that includes restrictions on civilian arms.

Last year, 58 members—more than a majority of the U.S.--Senate signed letters to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton saying they will oppose any ATT that includes civilian firearms ownership.

A final four week conference will be held at the U.N. in July to finalize the ATT.   NRA will be present throughout the July meeting and, as we have for nearly two decades, will continue to fight against any U.N. treaty that undermines the constitutional rights of American gun owners.