Alphecca

UN Gun Grabber Fest A Success -- Not!

Bwahahaha

UNITED NATIONS—As a major UN conference to tighten rules for combating the illicit gun trade ended yesterday in disarray, Canada tried to build momentum for a new gathering that would speed up international control of the weapons.

"This was total meltdown," said Anthea Lawson, spokesperson for the International Action Network on Small Arms. "Seldom have diplomats worked so hard for so few results. They've squandered an opportunity to save thousands of lives."

The conference, a five-year review of the UN's 2001 program of action to eradicate the illegal arms trade, was attended by envoys from dozens of countries. But after two weeks of talks, the devil remained in the details.

[...]

...But a glance at the documents delegates laboured over for days shows that countries crossed out so many suggestions that the results appear to be weaker than in 2001.

After the meeting, exhausted delegates, many of them looking dejected, strolled through the corridors puzzling over why the meeting went so wrong.

While some muttered that the United States' hard line on gun ownership and international regulation of ammunition was largely to blame, others said that many countries objected to clauses that would restrict their ability to buy or sell small arms.

[...]

"The program of action is still in effect and it will continue," [Chairman] Kariyawasam said. "It's unfortunate that there were differences about how to handle the issues."

If rogue dictatorships want to slaughter innocents, maybe others could try arming the victims of such regimes and evening the playing field.

Interesting that many nations balk when suddenly confronted with the idea that their gun laws should be regulated by a world government body. Especially when those regulations are driven by anti-gun NGOs. Sovereignty is a tough thing to surrender. Just ask some in the European Union.

Slightly off-topic but I'm fascinated that the UN can spend more time (two weeks) worrying about rifles than they do about Iran and North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Were they in attendance at the conference? Nevermind...

Update from Chris Muir:

Hey, if IANSA is feeling dejected, I'm feeling happy!