Global Arms Trade Treaty

I should mention that I am a proud supporter of the second amendment and the owner of many guns. I believe that everyone has the right to defend themselves and their loved ones. I do support this global arms trade treaty, however, continuing to supply governments with weapons and munitions when they are blatantly violating international law, including human rights and humanitarian law, happens all to often.

Despite the suffering and poverty fuelled by irresponsible arms transfers, there is still no comprehensive, binding international treaty on the trade in conventional arms.

Check out the link at Controlarms.org

Amnesty International has a QVC spoof video which is quite hilarious and sobering.



Since 2003, the Control Arms Campaign has been calling for a strong and effective Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), a legally binding international instrument, which will draw together and consolidate states’ current obligations under international law. If properly implemented, such an ATT would reduce the human cost associated with the proliferation of conventional arms. It would prevent unscrupulous arms suppliers finding the weakest point in the supply chain, and ensure that all arms exporters and importers are abiding by the same high standards regarding the use, management and transfer of arms, leading to a more secure world.

The idea of a global ATT was inspired by Nobel Peace Laureates and developed by lawyers, human rights organisations, and humanitarian NGOs. It now enjoys the support of a growing number of governments (153 States), as well as more than 800 civil society organisations worldwide

What does the organization want?

We want a global ATT based on our “5 Golden Rules” to help stop those international transfers of conventional arms that are likely to be used for serious human rights violations, and fuel conflict and poverty:

States shall not authorise international transfers of conventional arms or ammunition where they will:

(i) be used or are likely to be used for gross violations of international human rights law or serious violations of international humanitarian law.

(ii) have an impact that would clearly undermine sustainable development or involve corrupt practices;

(iii) provoke or exacerbate armed conflict in violation of their obligations under the UN Charter and existing treaties.

(iv) contribute to an existing pattern of violent crime.

(v) risk being diverted for one of the above outcomes or for acts of terrorism.