- #1
devil-fire
reading about small arms trade i came across an article reviewing a meeting of the UN where they were trying to talk about solving problems coming from small arms, and it turn, about international legalitys about the selling and buying of these arms.
this is from the site (http://www.id21.org/id21-media/pressjuly0303.html)
On the political front, not all governments in a position to donate funds towards small arms control recognize civilian ownership of arms as a problem. The second amendment to the United States constitution awards its people the right to keep and bear arms, for example, and it is estimated that between 66 and 92 per cent of the population do so. It is on the basis of this constitutional right that the US blocked in 2001 the UN's adoption of a measure to prohibit civilian possession of small - much to the regret and concern of the participating African nations.
"The United States believes that the responsible use of firearms is a legitimate aspect of national life…We, therefore, do not begin with the presumption that all small arms and light weapons are the same or that they are all problematic… The United States will not join a consensus…that contains measures abrogating the Constitutional right to bear arms," the US representative to the conference John Bolton - Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs - stated in 2001.
end quote
and in another site with much the same context...(http://www.globalissues.org/Geopoli...opleandGovernmentsareTryingtoAddresstheIssues)
The Conference, held July 9-20, 2001, began on a rather sour tone with the statement of U.S. Under Secretary of State John Bolton, who expressed the U.S. position on the issue of small arms and the Conference in no uncertain terms. Bolton stressed that the Conference should address only the illicit transfer of military style weapons, excluding firearms and non-military rifles (the weapons responsible for terrible carnage and destruction around the world every year).
Bolton bluntly stated the position of the United States in front of the ministerial-level portion of the meeting, describing the U.S. "redlines," items unacceptable for inclusion in the Conference plan. Bolton stated that the United States could not support a final Conference document that included:
restrictions on the legal trade and manufacture of small arms and light weapons;
promotion of international advocacy by NGOs and international organizations;
restrictions on the sale of small arms and light weapons to entities other than governments;
a mandatory review conference; and
a commitment to begin discussions on legally binding agreements.
end quote.
to sum this up, USA wants to export non-military (to a lesser degree the military arms as well) small arms to whoever wants to buy them, private sector or national government organizations alike because its legal to buy such weapons in the usa. plus any weapons distributions that are currently legal should stay legal, but illegal gun running should be addressed. this is vary much contrary to the interests of countrys where small arms proliferation is a big problem. african countrys for example have big problems of legally sold guns being bought or acquired illegally and turning up in hands they shouldn't be
this is from the site (http://www.id21.org/id21-media/pressjuly0303.html)
On the political front, not all governments in a position to donate funds towards small arms control recognize civilian ownership of arms as a problem. The second amendment to the United States constitution awards its people the right to keep and bear arms, for example, and it is estimated that between 66 and 92 per cent of the population do so. It is on the basis of this constitutional right that the US blocked in 2001 the UN's adoption of a measure to prohibit civilian possession of small - much to the regret and concern of the participating African nations.
"The United States believes that the responsible use of firearms is a legitimate aspect of national life…We, therefore, do not begin with the presumption that all small arms and light weapons are the same or that they are all problematic… The United States will not join a consensus…that contains measures abrogating the Constitutional right to bear arms," the US representative to the conference John Bolton - Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs - stated in 2001.
end quote
and in another site with much the same context...(http://www.globalissues.org/Geopoli...opleandGovernmentsareTryingtoAddresstheIssues)
The Conference, held July 9-20, 2001, began on a rather sour tone with the statement of U.S. Under Secretary of State John Bolton, who expressed the U.S. position on the issue of small arms and the Conference in no uncertain terms. Bolton stressed that the Conference should address only the illicit transfer of military style weapons, excluding firearms and non-military rifles (the weapons responsible for terrible carnage and destruction around the world every year).
Bolton bluntly stated the position of the United States in front of the ministerial-level portion of the meeting, describing the U.S. "redlines," items unacceptable for inclusion in the Conference plan. Bolton stated that the United States could not support a final Conference document that included:
restrictions on the legal trade and manufacture of small arms and light weapons;
promotion of international advocacy by NGOs and international organizations;
restrictions on the sale of small arms and light weapons to entities other than governments;
a mandatory review conference; and
a commitment to begin discussions on legally binding agreements.
end quote.
to sum this up, USA wants to export non-military (to a lesser degree the military arms as well) small arms to whoever wants to buy them, private sector or national government organizations alike because its legal to buy such weapons in the usa. plus any weapons distributions that are currently legal should stay legal, but illegal gun running should be addressed. this is vary much contrary to the interests of countrys where small arms proliferation is a big problem. african countrys for example have big problems of legally sold guns being bought or acquired illegally and turning up in hands they shouldn't be