SAAMI Voices Opposition to U.N. Arms Trade Treaty
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI), as a recognized non-government organization (NGO) of the United Nations, presented its views at the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations this week. Richard Patterson, SAAMI managing director, addressed the delegates at United Nations headquarters in New York City, saying “that hundreds of millions of citizens regularly use firearms for the greater good” and that a “treaty that does not support the positive use of firearms is doomed to cause more harm than good.”
SAAMI believes that, with its myopic focus on criminal and terrorist misuse of firearms, the treaty lacks a comprehensive view of firearms trade and use. At the U.N., Patterson pointed out the benefits and popularity of target shooting and hunting, and the universality of firearm use for protection. “Regulated hunting keeps wildlife populations in balance with healthy ecosystems and is a major contributor to economic stability–and thereby promotes peace–in rural areas and developing countries,” he said. “Target shooting has its roots in the very beginnings of civilization. This is an Olympic year, and shooting events attract the third largest number of participating nations of any sport at the Olympic Games. And people in every nation in this room–including the U.N. itself–use firearms to protect the law abiding and enforce peace.”
SAAMI suggested that a step in the right direction would be to have the treaty focus on “fully automatic military firearms only.” SAAMI objected to the inclusion of small arms ammunition in the treaty, and pointed out the impossibility of any such scheme.
“Just as you cannot be all things to all people, this treaty can’t either,” Patterson said. “Focus on the real problems that can be managed–focus on military weapons, and avoid being distracted by topics like ammunition, which are laudable in their idealism, but completely lacking in their practicality. Be focused, be specific, and draft a treaty with precise definitions that minimize the loopholes of ‘creative interpretation.'”
The UN will conclude negotiations on July 27, at which time the text of a treaty will either be approved by concensus, or the treaty will be tabled.
In a related matter, the NRA has created a “Declaration of Independence” opposing the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty. CLICK HERE to read the Declaration and voice your opinion about the U.N. Treaty. You can read comments about the petition on the NRA’s Facebook Page.
Similar Posts:
- U.S. Senate Votes to Block U.S. from Ratifying U.N. Arms Treaty
- NRA States Position at U.N. Arms Trade Treaty Conference
- United Nations & IANSA Global Gun Control Agenda Revealed
- SAAMI Quits U.N. Small Arms Project and Issues Minority Report
- SAAMI Hires New Director of Technical Affairs
Tags: Hillary Clinton, NRA Declaration, Richard Patterson, SAAMI, U.N. Arms Treaty
Wow, just wow. As if this treaty wasn’t bad enough, we find out that SAAMI support’s violations of our second amendment rights as well. I am disgusted.
Editor: Umm… SAAMI opposes most of the provisions of the proposed treaty as they would pertain to private gun ownership in the USA.
It’s not a gun ban, it’s a treaty about international arms trade standards. This fear mongering of some is annoying.
As an Australian, I know my government will bend over backwards to do as the UN would like.
I hope your law makers are decent and sensible, this treaty WILL not be the thin end of the wedge, its a HUGE end of wedge.
Limiting the sale, implementing the registration and ultimately confiscating your arms. In my country, we can’t even own a firearm for self defence. I can’t protect my loved ones with a decent tool. Because some politician made it illegal to use a firearm.
Please fight this, its too late for us, but I pray that its not for you
SMB
The U.N [people] have become so powerful they are interested in only one thing and that is becoming the de-facto world government! This mob must be outlawed from the free world and the sooner Australia disendorse them the better off we will be. These Greenies have used billions from western countries to get to there position of power and have hood winked almost everyone along the way.
If President Obama, Attorney General Holder, and Secretary of State Clinton were to sign this UN treaty, I would fear a revolution or civil war in America. I could see the president ordering posse comatotis to enforce the treaty. It is a very frightening thought.
How did he get elected anyway?
@Editor, yes they do not agree with most of the treaty’s provisions, but they suggested working on banning “Military weapons.” Many shooters would agree that machine guns are no more dangerous than any other kind of firearm, and should not be restricted either. The Second Amendment does not say: A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed (Except in the case of machine guns, which are assault weapons and mass murder people by walking out of safe’s.)