UPDATE ON U.N. ARMS TREATY.

The U.N.’s Arms Trade Treaty, after a month long conference, was tabled for the time being on Friday, July 27. In order for the treaty to be passed, all 193 U.N. member states had to come to a consensus, which did not occur. Many supporters of the treaty have blamed the United States for the draft not being finalized. Russia and China, in addition to the United States, stated that they need more time to consider the proposal. On July 26, a bipartisan group of 51 U.S. senators said, in a letter to President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, that they would oppose the treaty if it does not protect the Second Amendment Right to Bear Arms and that the current draft is an expansion of gun control. The draft included all types of arms, including guns that could be used for self-defense. They stated, “Our country’s sovereignty and the constitutional protection of these individual freedoms must not be infringed.” In order for a treaty to be passed, two-thirds of the Senate must vote in favor of it. Despite negotiations having failed this time, which is certainly a victory for gun owners, the U.N. and many supporters are fighting to have the treaty passed during the body’s new session, beginning in September. The U.N.’s secretary-general has called this failure a simple “setback.” Mexico, along with more than 90 countries, say they “are determined to secure an Arms Trade Treaty as soon as possible.” Hopefully, Second Amendment supporters will continue to win the battle against the Arm’s Trade Treaty.