Secretary of State John Kerry has signed the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that is supposed to regulate the global sales of arms.  It’s main purpose is to keep weapons, everything from small arms to tanks and helicopters, out of the hands of the “bad guys”.  In the end, this will simply be a symbolic gesture, with the treaty still having to be approved in the U.S. Senate, where perceived gun control is a non-negotiable by many, on both sides of the aisle.  In order for the treaty to be ratified, it would require 67 of the 100 Senators to vote in favor and that will not happen.  In addition to passage of the treaty, it would also require Congressional legislation for some of the provisions to move forward, such as the sales and importation of firearms.  Again, at this point in time, there are simply not enough votes to pass any legislation.

Following his signing of the ATT Kerry said the following, “This treaty will not diminish anyone’s freedom, in fact the treaty recognizes the freedom of both individuals and states to obtain, possess and use arms for legitimate purposes.”  Kerry continued, “Make no mistake, we would never think about supporting a treaty that is inconsistent with the rights of Americans, the rights of American citizens to be able to exercise their guaranteed rights under our constitution.” But there are many who disagree, those in the NRA and all gun rights advocates, who are up in arms, (pun intended) over this. The National Rifle Association (NRA) condemned the treaty, claiming it would impose an “invasive registration scheme” by requiring importing countries to give exporting countries information on “end users.”  Executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action Chris Cox said in a statement that, “the Obama administration is once again demonstrating its contempt for our fundamental, individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms. These are blatant attacks on the constitutional rights and liberties of every law-abiding American. The NRA will continue to fight this assault on our fundamental freedom.”

Gun rights advocates believe that this administration understands that the 2nd Amendment is non-negotiable and that they will not be able to change that with the implementation of one treaty or through one piece of legislation.  Instead, gun control advocates fully comprehend the need to chip away at this right, one small step at a time, much the way a sculptor chips away at a block of marble.  Any limitations will be viewed as the beginning of the end of this fundamental, Constitutional right.  Despite being demonized by the left NRA members are no more likely to shoot anyone or commit a crime than liberals.  Their fear stems from a lack of familiarity with firearms and should not be the basis for setting policy.

Finally, the US should never sign treaties that the U.N. that potentially limit our Constitutional Freedoms and that it can’t implement due to its inability to accomplish anything.  Its history is one of inaction and this President and his Secretary of State’s inability to see this, dictates that they are either stupid or naive.  How would this silly organization police this treaty?  Quite simply, it can’t and won’t, so why waste everyone’s time?  Most importantly, the ATT was not signed by our closest ally to the north, Canada or by Russia, China, North Korea or Iran and we should not be tying our hands simply so show the world that we want to be “good guys”.  It’s meaningless and will be dead and buried by the time it reaches the Senate floor.

Lastly,.