trump un arms trade treaty
President Donald Trump holds up a letter to the Senate about the UN Arms Trade Treaty as he speaks to the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, Friday, April 26, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Previous Post
Next Post

By NRA-ILA

Last Friday, President Trump took the historic step of ordering the “un-signing” of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty during his address to the NRA-ILA’s Leadership Forum. President Trump’s action effectively withdraws the United States from the most comprehensive effort towards international gun control.

Much of the intervening coverage on the ATT has focused on how the treaty did or did not constrain U.S. arms sales abroad, but many average law-abiding gun owners may be questioning how the treaty could or couldn’t have affected them.

NRA’s complaints regarding the treaty have always been based on its potential effect on law-abiding American gun owners. Those complaints have focused on the treaty’s requirements for end use verification, its sometimes-unintelligible vagueness, its ability to be amended without the consensus of all parties, and its proponents repeated refusals to clarify that it has no effect on the possession of small arms by civilians in the United States.

The treaty urges record keeping of end users, directing importing countries to provide information to an exporting country regarding arms transfers, including “end use or end-user documentation” for a “minimum of ten years.” Each country is to “take measures, pursuant to its national laws, to regulate brokering taking place under its jurisdiction for conventional arms.”

Data kept on the end users of imported firearms is a de-facto registry of law-abiding firearms owners, which is a violation of federal law. Even worse, the ATT could be construed to require such a registry to be made available to foreign governments.

The vagueness of the treaty and its ease of being “amended” is best exemplified by actions that took place at a conference on the treaty last year. At that conference, proponents of the treaty “welcome[ed]” several living documents into the ATT. While seemingly innocuous on its face, this change incorporated the International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) into the ATT.

Falsely described as established “international standards” or “international norms” that “provide clear, practical and comprehensive guidance to practitioners and policymakers on fundamental aspects of small arms and light weapons control”, the ISACS are in reality a series of six standards developed by the UN for states to use in implementing their global disarmament agenda. Series 3 – Legislative and Regulatory – and its Module 3.30, “National Regulation of Civilian Access to Small Arms and Light Weapons,” is the most alarming of all the ISACS.

Purporting to set the standards for “National Regulation of Civilian Access to Small Arms and Light Weapons,” Module 3.30 creates a means to almost entirely limit civilian access to small arms under the guise of International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law, and Gender Based Violence.

Highlights include, but are not limited to; a ban on civilian possession of “military” style arms – no automatic weapons or magazines with over a 10 round capacity, ballistic recordings, different risk classifications on types of firearms (i.e. calibers over .45 are an intolerable risk to public safety and semi-auto handguns and rifles are high risk), licensing and registration of all firearms, training and storage restrictions, waiting periods, 20-year record retention requirements of sellers, age limits and requiring a demonstrated need to possess a firearm, with self-defense not being one of them.

While incorporation by reference of the ISACS into the ATT was alarming, it was also not entirely unpredictable. As with every anti-firearm UN initiative, concern must never lie entirely with what is in it now, but with what it will become and how it will be used by a future U.S. administration, especially one seeking international justification for a gun control agenda.

Perhaps the easiest way to understand the future danger the ATT posed to U.S. gun owners is the complete refusal by proponents of the treaty to limit its application to civilian arms. NRA and other opponents of the treaty repeatedly asked for a carve-out in the treaty, yet those requests were flatly denied. If the treaty’s proponents had no intention of limiting American gun ownership, why resist such a limitation to the text of the treaty?

Instead, the treaty included language in its preamble that treaty parties be “mindful of the legitimate trade and lawful ownership, and use of certain conventional arms for recreational, cultural, historical, and sporting activities, where such trade, ownership and use are permitted or protected by law.”

A careful read will show that the use of arms for individual and collective defense is notably missing from this statement, and the statement creates no limitation and is really only an aspirational provision.

Please join us in thanking President Trump for protecting our firearms freedoms by removing any obligation of the United States to be bound by the “object and purpose” of the Arms Trade Treaty.

 

This post originally appeared at nra-ila.com and is reprinted here with permission. 

Previous Post
Next Post

106 COMMENTS

  1. Re: deck chairs, music requests and other things that don’t matter; how about, silencer legislation, National Constitutional Carry and carry reciprocity. It’s obvious now that ’34, ’68 and ’86 are here to stay. How many more “pro gun” gestures until something of substance gets done?

    • Amen.

      “What you do speaks so loudly, I cannot hear what you say.”- Ralph Waldo Emerson
      (I love it when I get to use quotes from socialists to further advance my non-socialist beliefs.)

      C’mon Mr. President, “speak” to we POTG with your actions…

    • “Sporting purposes” reform (changing the term to mean “lawful purposes”) alone would destroy most federal gun control, and is something Trump could do (legally) via order if he cared to.

  2. Now if he can get us out of the UN altogether. If he does that I’ll get a MAGA tattoo complete with Thedonald’s smiling orange mug.

    • Ok I’m gonna regret this question: Where would Gov. Lepetomane get such a tattoo placed on his (or her) body?

  3. Anyone know if it is legal under US law and constitution for a president to unilaterally “un-sign” a treaty? Treaties are supposedly valid only if ratified by the senate AND signed by the president (although, have read somewhere the SC declared a treaty ratified if the US operates as if ratified and signed – using standard contract law as the rule). Sorta odd the pres could just cancel a treaty without involving the senate.

    • It was red meat for people at the NRA. Apparently Trump *does* realize he’s pissed off a lot of gun owners, so he needed a rabbit to pull from a hat so he wouldn’t lose the crowd.

      When the Senate told Obama to piss off, it meant the deal was dead. Trump is merely confirming the deal is still dead, in an elaborate & showy performance before a crowd. If a Dem president & Senate are elected, they can still sign the treaty at any time.

      Seeing as they are more radically antigun than the UN, however, I don’t see how this treaty is of much importance to either side anymore.

      • Yes, well said!

        A dead issue used by Trump to find propaganda cover for failing gun owners so totally in his first two years.

        • threw us a bone to ensure our continuing support in the upcoming…not sure he accomplished that…some people are really pissed…and not sure just what they should do..

        • Then you will not have to guess who is stuffing the SHAFT UP YOUR ASS it will always be the DUMB-O-RATS and you will have NO RECOURSE!!!!!!!!!!!

      • “If a Dem president & Senate are elected, they can still sign the treaty at any time.”

        It takes 2/3 of the Senate, doesn’t it?

        That ain’t gonna be happening in *my* lifetime…

        • Don’t be too sure about that Geoff. If the U.S. economy drops a lot between now and the 2020 election, you can expect the news media to start crying that “It’s all Trumps fault!” and then it’s conceivable that he could lose re-election. If Kamala or some of her equally communist buddies get in they are going to do everything they can to start it up again.

        • And all it takes to tank the remaining corpse of the economy is for the fed to raise interest rates.

        • Treaties can be observed by executive order alone. A New Democratic President can enforce the treaty without 2/3 of Senate and it will be binding. Reference Ottawa Accord on Landmines that we obey by Executive Order and restrict cluster munitions despite not signing.

    • Something that is only signed by a president can be unsigned by a president. This treaty was never passed through the full channels. The former President’s signature was only an ‘understanding’ or symbol of support without ratification.

      • “This treaty was never passed through the full channels. The former President’s signature was only an ‘understanding’ or symbol of support without ratification.”

        Thanx; apologies for my not doing due diligence on the matter.

    • UNATT was never ratified by the Senate but obama had signed on. Samantha Powers, actually, I believe, without her signature for the US it would have never been considered by the Senate.

      “Unsigning” the treaty takes it out of consideration by the Senate, now and future. NFBD right now but if DiFi and her bunch could regain control they would gladly sign it since it would still be lying around, then act like there’s nothing they could do should articles of it be used against US citizens. It would not have taken long before the treaty provisions would be used against us, since we would be a signatory. NRA was on record of this before the treaty was put before the Senate.

  4. Remember how our system works!

    Treaties are meaningless without ratification by the Senate and enabling legislation by both houses, and finally the President. All this noise over something that was never going to pass muster in our system of laws, all while Trump did diddly squat for us on things that truly matter.

    Remember, Trump makes big promises but takes no actions other than showmanship. He has no domestic legislative agenda on gun laws. He has made zero efforts on American gun laws. He hasn’t done one God damned minute’s work on American gun laws!

    Except for bump stocks.

    Also, cheating at golf. He’s put more time at that than probably any President in history.

    • Trump isn’t perfect, BUT, looking at past presidents, 0’bama put more time on the golf course and other entertainment for himself, his “family” and his cronies as well as spending more money on his personal behalf than any other president.
      From a work perspective, Trump gets more done than just about any other official in public service.

        • You’re delusional. Check what he’s done on regulatory levels and take stock of the supreme court. Big O outsourced to Nancy and Harry running the country.

      • It is fascinating that you claim the title of the anarchist but fawn over authoritarian Trump and prattle on about his delusional achievements. Check the facts, trump golfs more than Obama and George W put together. I suppose that’s a good thing, keeps him out of the White House and meddling in real government affairs.

        • I guess flying to Hawaii on Air force one several times and then have the entire rest of the family fly to Hawaii gratis the American public is Ok. I guess Obama’s illegal aunt also went.

        • Didn’t Michelle Obama fly to Spain to attend her gynecologist’s father’s funeral. At taxpayer expense…..

        • Talk about delusional I can’t believe sometimes the things that come out of the mouth’s of you liberals

        • Michelle Obama had a gynecologist? She (sic) really does show a lot of dedication to her (sic) ruse.

        • still crying that Trump has reversed virtually everything Oblamer did?

          And sure Obama spent more time at the White House — almost all of it fundraising for his “pay to play” administration.

          trump probably gets more Americans employed while golfing than obama did in 8 years

      • Not sure why golf is an analogy to gun rights, but:
        Trump: 154 in two years.
        Obama: 333 in eight years.
        GWB: 24, he didn’t like golf, preferred clearing brush and riding a bike.

        None of them are even close to Woodrow Wilson or Dwight Eisenhower, with 1200 and 800.

        • GWB liked golf. He thought it was crass for him to play it while sending troops into combat overseas. He stopped playing after 9/11. 24 games in 8 months would have been around 290 had he played for all of his term.

      • A truly stupid lie. And I repeat, administrative ban on bump stocks even though it was completely illegal. Fuck your orange gun grabber.

    • You might want to read up on the US government. The president can’t make law by himself. A bill starts in the house or senate. You’re blaming a president when you need to blame congress. Call your representative and senators if you want to change gun laws.

      • All those decades ago back when Civics was taught properly in our schools? Yes, been there, got all those “A+”‘s thank you very much.

        The President is the leader of his party and as such he leads a legislative agenda. He has a legislative liaison, meets with party leadership and negotiates for laws to be enacted to make his policies and campaign promises become reality. He presses his party’s platform legislatively, offering support to House and Senate officeholders who work to make it all happen.

        That is a crucial role of the President in our two-party system, as it has evolved over the centuries. It is a job that Trump has absolutely ignored with special disdain for Second Amendment concerns.

        Yes, it is also a primary duty of House and Senate leaders of the President’s party, even more so than the President. While the President is the party leader, he is expected to lead but not to to the heavy lifting on legislation.

        This is known as teamwork, of which we see virtually nothing coming out of the White House.

        • t is a job that Trump has absolutely ignored with special disdain for Second Amendment concerns.

          Lol you win moron of the month award. No president in history has been more supportive of the second amendment

      • methodology of bump-stock ban and red flag laws can be laid squarely on trump’s doorstep…does he think we’re so dumb we’re not paying attention?……

        • Yes. Yes, he does.

          Even if he’s wrong and people were paying attention, it seems a huge lot of them were too stupid to recognize what’s really going on.

        • There are no fed red flag laws. Those are squarely on your state gov. You can’t blame Trump for your state laws.

        • “You can’t blame Trump for your state laws.”

          Been living under a rock much? Everyone knows Trump is a dictator, controlling the entire nation, right down to individual precincts.

          Trump mesmerized the entire public such that they can look at despotism, and not even believe their own eyes. Trump is an un-indicted conspiritor, who colluded with Russia, CoFR, The Fed, the Masons, the Illuminati, Lenin, Trotsky, George Rockwell, Aristotle Onassis, the 88s, Carlo Gambino, Meyer Lansky, Mario (the Pious) Cuomo, the Rockyfellers, the Great Right Wing Conspiracy, and all that stuff.

          You gotta get your mind right.

        • If what you say is true why are the Dems out to destroy him isn’t that what they want you need therapy

        • methodology of bump-stock ban and red flag laws can be laid squarely on trump’s doorstep…does he think we’re so dumb we’re not paying attention?…

          You are so dumb as to think Trump passes state legislation? Thanks for proving the trump critics here are all morons.

          As far as the bump stock, Trump diverted Feinstein’s bill which would have passed and was much broader.

          so, STFU moron.

      • Trump told legislators not to try any pro gun bills because it’s not the time and they won’t pass anyway. Then they listened because he told them they were all afraid the NRA but he wasn’t. We got nothing since then but gun control and a collapsing corrupt NRA.

      • Except that history exists, and it’s not even close, Trump is on pace to beat him in 4 years, and neither is even in the ballpark of Wilson or Eisenhower, Obama didn’t even get to half of Eisenhower, and was a third of Wilson.

    • “Remember, Trump makes big promises but takes no actions other than showmanship.”

      Well, he took action here. UNATT is no longer available for consideration by the Senate unless our UN Ambassador signs it again. Trump did you (well, all of us, but you don’t give a rip) a favor and you aren’t even smart enough to acknowledge it.

    • Created by these people, “The Non Violence Project”:

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Non-Violence_Project

      Their thing is education on “conflict management, self-esteem building, and violence prevention “. Which sounds great, I’d have to know their outlook on gun laws

      On their symbol of the knotted gun, it is way off target. Guns are not violent. Humans are violent.

      Automobiles do not drink and drive or do drugs and drive. Humans drive when they should not.

      Knives, forks and spoons do not pick up more calories for a person to eat than they should eat, that is again a human action.

      A meaningful symbol for an anti-violence organization is a tombstone with a weeping family around it. A broken hearted mother and father, injured friends and bystanders on crutches and in wheel chairs bawling over a casket.

      Show the human side of it, as the human element is what did the damage.

      The gun, the car, the booze, the spoon, “the thing” did nothing but what the human mind decided to do.

  5. Yeah, well if you think the “Arms” treaty is vague, and it most assuredly is, read the frigging Paris “Accord”. Pulling out of both was smart. Both interfere with sovereignty but the “Accord” would let third world dictators demand what actions much of the world should take economically. The “Treaty” would let dicks arm an illegitimate government take over while disarming the citizens who would resist it. while disarming.

    • There was no treaty. There was never going to be a treaty. This was a show, a propaganda exercise. The US Senate said HELL NO to this treaty years ago.

      Remember, the Executive Branch can do all the international negotiating it likes but unless the US Senate agrees to the end result, it is all just words.

      Even if the Senate agrees, if legislation is needed to act upon any of the treaty’s provisions within the USA it is up to the normal legislative process to create that legislation. This means the House must originate any bill that spends money. The House and Senate must pass the same legislation. The President must sign it into law.

      After which that law is subject to challenge in the Federal courts.

      The long since dead as a mackerel “treaty” was a tool for Trump to throw up something for pro-gun folks to chew on. He needed that after stabbing us all in the back these past couple of years.

      • Obama signed the treaty. All that was left was for the senate to sign it. Trump just took the presidents signiature back off. Now it’s completely back to the drawing board for the UN.

        • Yes, Obama signed it and it died. It died at the Senate and even Democrats declined to sign it.

          It was already dead. This was a stupid stunt.

          Which has apparently worked.

        • GS650G says:
          May 5, 2019 at 11:58
          Maybe you need to register as a Democrat and feel better.
          ——————————-

          Maybe if our side supported people for office who do what they promise instead of rallying around some immoral/amoral/lying POS crotch grabber who lusts after his own daughter and gives us the biggest show during a campaign, we’d make some real progress restoring gun rights under the law.

          But no, that’d be way too much wishful thinking.

        • “It was already dead. This was a stupid stunt.

          Which has apparently worked.”

          That applies to the vast, vast majority of his entire agenda, from the very start of the primaries. And now we have the Democrats doing it, too. Governance by bread & circuses; we’re probably closer to the endgame than we even realize.

        • Poster A: Knows the political realities surrounding a treaty and the mechanisms that meant it was dead in the water.
          Poster B: MayBe yOu shOuLd be a dEmocrAt!!!

          Yep, great argument.

        • Yeah, knowing things is now a disqualifier. When reality intrudes on the meme, ignore reality.

        • “When reality intrudes on the meme, ignore reality.”

          You have a problem with that?

      • Well… FixNICS if you want to get technical.

        The big one wasn’t even legal or ethical whatsoever. That being turning bump fire stock owners into felons by ordering the AG (who was fired afterward) to illegally redefine a law. Then enforcing it by confiscating and destroying private property without compensation. Quite disgusting for a “Republican” president to do.

        He then pushed for gun confiscation without due process. He setup a board to look into gun control and other measures to help with school shootings. He said all kind of anti American stuff during this period. You can call it blasphemy; something that should be punished with impeachment if America actually gave a f*** about their government/constitution.

        His rhetoric gave Democrats and Republicans the cover they needed to pass state level gun control. After all, the president and the NRA said it was fine. Right now there are Republicans trying to pass gun confiscation on the federal level or at least federally encourage the states to do so if they can’t get it done.

        The words of the President of the United States has immense power. He could change a generation simply by making a speech. Hence why the majority complains about the current president not being very “presidential” and why a lot of people consider Obama the best president.

        • Do you really think bump stocks were going to survive after the Las Vegas shooting? That somehow congress was going to do nothing at all to outlaw them? Seriously, I do not like presidential fiat laws, but to think that bump stocks were not going to be illegal, after what happen in Las Vegas is pretty delusional. It was probably better that the president made a fiat law that has a good chance of being overturned in court (and prevent another president making gun laws by fiat), rather than have congress re-introduce the Assault weapons ban (with the public support fresh off the Las Vegas shooting) and include the bump stocks in it……which is likely what our alternative would have been. And can we stop complaining about a gimmicky piece of plastic being outlawed and stop acting like outlawing that piece of plastic is roughly the same as an assault weapons ban, because it was always a gimmicky piece of plastic that opened the door for congress to make stricter gun laws. The bump stocks were going to be outlawed sooner or later and we should all have known that from the start.

  6. “The long since dead as a mackerel “treaty” was a tool for Trump to throw up something for pro-gun folks to chew on. He needed that after stabbing us all in the back these past couple of years.”

    In just 28 months, President Trump already appointed 102 conservative federal judges, including two on the Supreme Court. If that’s what you call stabbing in the back, then go ahead and stab me some more Mr. President…
    That was the MAIN reason I voted for him. The second reason is I wanted him to throw some wrenches into the deep state, which he’s well on the way to totally destabilize.
    Anyone who expects a perfect president is insane. This one did a hell of a lot more than I expected so far.

  7. You guys bashing Trump should just get over it and go vote for Hillary like you did last time. Writer her in on the ballot if you have to!

    • I don’t understand or agree with people making statements in reference to our President such as: “rallying around some immoral/amoral/lying POS crotch grabber who lusts after his own daughter”
      And “Trump mesmerized the entire public such that they can look at despotism, and not even believe their own eyes. Trump is an un-indicted conspiritor, who colluded with Russia, CoFR, The Fed, the Masons, the Illuminati, Lenin, Trotsky, George Rockwell, Aristotle Onassis, the 88s, Carlo Gambino, Meyer Lansky, Mario (the Pious) Cuomo, the Rockyfellers, the Great Right Wing Conspiracy, and all that stuff.”

      Seems more than one responding here has been brain washed via the media.

      • @Hush,

        “…Trump is an un-indicted conspiritor, who colluded with Russia, CoFR, The Fed…”

        That was sarcasm. Perhaps the original poster Sam I Am should have used a SARC or other label following the comments. However, they were so over the top, he likely felt it unnecessary.

    • What’s the difference? Both want to ban guns. And I don’t give a shit about tax wasting federal judges sending idiot drug users to prison away 60k a year. None of his horse shit matters while he’s selling us out.

  8. I had to laugh after all the trumpets started to sound off when the messiah put his John Hancock on a piece of paper. It’s worth as much as his promise to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies.

    • Speaking of not fulfilling promises, consider the following

      I will have the most transparent administration in history.
      The stimulus will fund shovel-ready jobs. I
      I am focused like a laser on creating jobs.
      The IRS is not targeting anyone.
      It was a spontaneous riot about a movie.
      If I had a son., he would look like Travon Martin.
      I will put an end to the type of politics that “breeds division, conflict and cynicism”.
      You didn’t build that!
      I will restore trust in Government.
      The Cambridge cops acted stupidly.
      The public will have 5 days to look at every bill that lands on my desk
      It’s not my red line – it is the world’s red line.
      Whistle blowers will be protected in my administration.
      We got back every dime we used to rescue the banks and auto companies, with interest.
      I am not spying on American citizens.
      Obama Care will be good for America .
      You can keep your family doctor.
      Premiums will be lowered by $2500.
      If you like it, you can keep your current healthcare plan.
      It’s just like shopping at Amazon.
      I knew nothing about “Fast and Furious” gunrunning to Mexican drug cartels.
      I knew nothing about IRS targeting conservative groups.
      I knew nothing about what happened in Benghazi .
      I have never known my uncle from Kenya who is in the country illegally and that was arrested and told to leave the country over 20 years ago.
      And, I have never lived with that uncle. He finally admitted ( 12-05-2013 ) that he DID know his uncle and that he DID live with him.
      And the biggest one of all:
      “I, Barrack Hussein Obama, pledge to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America .”

      • You left out targeting journalists, including Sharyl Attkisson who had her computer breached by Obama, and James Rosen who was named a co-conspirator of a crime and then spied on by Obama.

        Add more examples below..

        • and Mark Basseley Youssef (“Innocence of the Muslims”) who was blamed publicly for the attack on the Benghazi Embassy

  9. “Seems more than one responding here has been brain washed via the media.”

    Most likely an infestation by the same (Russian? libtard?) bot : Enuf = User1? Hmmmmm…..looks to have similar erotic dreams…

  10. ITAR was also thoroughly un-American as it was affecting gunsmiths yet was created by far-off UN bureaucrats and was not even ratified by the U.S. Senate. So it was in essence governance by the UN.

  11. Well one thing it means, at least for the time being, is that “we”, the American gunowner won’t be standing face to face, or toe-to-toe with UN troops, attempting to disarm us…

    And while I realize that not ALL gunowners will stand, IF only 3% stand, that’s the largest standing army in the world with over 3 million members, and who knows how many guns, or how much ammunition…not too mention, we’d have “homefield” advantage…

  12. I am a little confused here. I thought this would be a Conservative web site, but it seems to be crawling with delusional Liberals. The hatred you all have for President Trump, is truly blinding you to all the great things that are going on now. Watch Fox News for a few days and turn off that Damn CNN, MNSBC, ABC,CBS, and NBC off. If you haven’t figured it out yet they are the talking heads of the Democratic Party. They have not one good thing to say about President Trump and you all should be really pissed off at them for lying to you for all this time.

      • ” GenoB,
        Yes..The Soros trolls are out early this year.”

        GenoB,
        On this forum, a “troll” is anyone who disagrees with anyone else, or someone who refused to regurgitate “conventional wisdom”, as established by who knows who. It all changes by the day.

    • This is a gun rights website. And the orange traitor did what the last asshole didn’t even try: unilaterally banned a lawful arm. Fuck apologists.

      • I rest my case, “The Orange Traitor” WTF does that mean? Stop watching the Communist news media.
        Trump is the best President in the history of this country Bar none. You have to take your head out from under that rock you are hiding under. No offense intended, get on the Trump train or get out of my country.

  13. If I had my way Congress and the Pres. would board a train and have the tracks go to the deepest part of the ocean and becom fish food

  14. Thank you Mr. President for getting the US out of this BS order, all it was designed to do is take the US citizens guns so that when it came time to defend ourselves we would be as helpless as the people in Venezuela who let the socialist government talk them into passing a law that private citizens could not own guns, bet the people of Venezuela are kicking their own a** for this foolishness now, so people before you let someone talk you into giving up your rights think of the people in Cuba and Venezuela and tell them no thank you I believe I will hang on to my gun in case I need it

      • Let me guess….you’re one of those Canadians that love to tells us Americans how bad our gun laws and president are. And your the same person that was posting as “User1”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here