The first thread on the UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) went off track and was closed, but the moderator noted that the original topic is valid for THR discussion. Here is some information on content of the ATT that may help members understand why the US is better off without ratifying the ATT.
Here are the sources for this post:
(a) Battle tanks;
(b) Armoured combat vehicles;
(c) Large-calibre artillery systems;
(d) Combat aircraft;
(e) Attack helicopters;
(f) Warships;
(g) Missiles and missile launchers; and
(h) Small arms and light weapons.
(Source, Reference 3, Article 2)
For the purposes of THR members, our focus is on category H, Small arms and light weapons (SA.LW). That category covers pretty much all firearms individuals may own and use.
The ITI defines SA/LW as follows:
(a) ‘Small arms’ are, broadly speaking, weapons designed for individual use. They include, inter alia, revolvers and self‐loading pistols, rifles and carbines, sub‐machine guns, assault rifles and light machine guns;
(b) ‘Light weapons’ are, broadly speaking, weapons designed for use by two or three persons serving as a crew, although some may be carried and used by a single person. They include, inter alia, heavy machine guns, hand‐held under‐barrel and mounted grenade launchers, portable anti‐aircraft guns, portable anti‐tank guns, recoilless rifles, portable launchers of anti‐tank missile and rocket systems, portable launchers of anti‐ aircraft missile systems, and mortars of a calibre of less than 100 millimetres.”
(Source, UNODA ATT Implémentation Toolkit, Page 4, Para 1.2)
One of the requirements is to establish a national registry of imports of all 8 categories. The UNODA ATT implementation Tooolkit provides this guidance for the content of the registry, citing Article 12 (3) of the ATT:
Record‐keeping of imports
The records should include:
1. Quantity; 2. Value; 3. Model/type/serial number; 4. Authorized international transfers of conventional arms covered under the scope of the ATT; 5. Conventional arms actually transferred; 6. Details of exporting State(s), transit and trans‐shipment State(s); 7. End‐users.
(Source,s UNODA ATT Implémentation Toolkit, Page 15, Para 2.2 *& ATT 12(3))
The crux of this provision is the push (note "should" in the language) to maintain a national registry of all end y users of imported firearms. A similar requirement falls in the sections on export controls. If both the exporting and importing nations choose to include end users in their registries, the result would be a database with each purchaser of an imported Glock Taurus, or pick your own favorite firearm manufactured in another country.
THIS is why the UN ATT must not become part of U.S. law, The Anti's would leap on that provision to create the national registries that we all abhor.
Here are the sources for this post:
- United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) ATT site.
- Arms Control Association: The Arms Trade Treaty At a Glance
- UNODA: The Arms Trade Treaty text.
(a) Battle tanks;
(b) Armoured combat vehicles;
(c) Large-calibre artillery systems;
(d) Combat aircraft;
(e) Attack helicopters;
(f) Warships;
(g) Missiles and missile launchers; and
(h) Small arms and light weapons.
(Source, Reference 3, Article 2)
For the purposes of THR members, our focus is on category H, Small arms and light weapons (SA.LW). That category covers pretty much all firearms individuals may own and use.
The ITI defines SA/LW as follows:
(a) ‘Small arms’ are, broadly speaking, weapons designed for individual use. They include, inter alia, revolvers and self‐loading pistols, rifles and carbines, sub‐machine guns, assault rifles and light machine guns;
(b) ‘Light weapons’ are, broadly speaking, weapons designed for use by two or three persons serving as a crew, although some may be carried and used by a single person. They include, inter alia, heavy machine guns, hand‐held under‐barrel and mounted grenade launchers, portable anti‐aircraft guns, portable anti‐tank guns, recoilless rifles, portable launchers of anti‐tank missile and rocket systems, portable launchers of anti‐ aircraft missile systems, and mortars of a calibre of less than 100 millimetres.”
(Source, UNODA ATT Implémentation Toolkit, Page 4, Para 1.2)
One of the requirements is to establish a national registry of imports of all 8 categories. The UNODA ATT implementation Tooolkit provides this guidance for the content of the registry, citing Article 12 (3) of the ATT:
Record‐keeping of imports
The records should include:
1. Quantity; 2. Value; 3. Model/type/serial number; 4. Authorized international transfers of conventional arms covered under the scope of the ATT; 5. Conventional arms actually transferred; 6. Details of exporting State(s), transit and trans‐shipment State(s); 7. End‐users.
(Source,s UNODA ATT Implémentation Toolkit, Page 15, Para 2.2 *& ATT 12(3))
The crux of this provision is the push (note "should" in the language) to maintain a national registry of all end y users of imported firearms. A similar requirement falls in the sections on export controls. If both the exporting and importing nations choose to include end users in their registries, the result would be a database with each purchaser of an imported Glock Taurus, or pick your own favorite firearm manufactured in another country.
THIS is why the UN ATT must not become part of U.S. law, The Anti's would leap on that provision to create the national registries that we all abhor.