Republican leaders and gun advocates have been outspoken about the U.N. gun ban since the United States signed the treaty regulating the export of arms. The gun ban took effect on Christmas Eve in 2014.
The U.N. adopted the Arms Trade Treaty in April 2013. The treaty requires nations to review international arms sales to ensure they won’t wind up the hands of terrorists.
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The United States signed the gun ban in September 2013. Though the Senate has refused to ratify the bill, 61 other nations did, allowing the treaty to take force.
Here’s a look at six of the most outspoken critics of the U.S. signing the U.N. gun ban:
1. The National Rifle Association
The NRA has called the treaty “a clear violation of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
In a statement issued after Secretary of State John Kerry signed the bill, the
NRA’s Chris Cox said, “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.”
2. Republican legislators
GOP legislators have been leading the charge to ensure the arms treaty doesn’t get ratified.
Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., authored an amendment opposing the treaty. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, sponsored a similar resolution and coauthored a letter against ratifying the bill.
In the House, Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., drafted his own resolution and letter.
Sens. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rand Paul, R-Ky., have also been outspoken critics.
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3. John Bolton
The former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. has made clear his belief that the arms treaty poses a threat to domestic gun rights.
Bolton, who also serves as a Fox News contributor, said the bill is a step toward a national gun registration because of requirements for tracking international exports of weapons.
4. National Association of Gun Rights
The nonprofit organization created a petition on its website for citizens to oppose the UN gun ban, encouraging people to contact their legislators. The organization also circulated a petition against the treaty from Sen. Rand Paul.
5. Chuck Norris
The martial arts film star and gun enthusiast wrote a widely circulated
editorial for Politico lambasting the U.N. gun ban in 2011.
“There is little question that this treaty would require additional restrictions on our Second Amendment rights,” he wrote.
His opposition to small weapons being included in the treaty has been a recurring theme since then on social media and during NRA events.
6. The Heritage Foundation
The Washington, D.C., think tank has repeatedly published materials opposing the arms treaty. In December, the group encouraged congressional action in 2015, arguing this year “will be crucial for the defense of U.S. sovereignty against those who seek to use the ATT to constrain it.”
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