When Secretary of State John Kerry signed the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on September 25, 2013, the Obama administration set a course for the destruction of the Second Amendment right to own a gun.
Calling it a “significant step” in addressing illegal gun sales, Kerry vainly attempted to assure Americans at the time that their gun rights protected.
“This is about keeping weapons out of the hands of terrorists and rogue actors. This is about reducing the risk of international transfers of conventional arms that will be used to carry out the world’s worst crimes. This is about keeping Americans safe and keeping America strong.
“This treaty will not diminish anyone’s freedom. In fact, the treaty recognizes the freedom of both individuals and states to obtain, possess, and use arms for legitimate purposes.” (emphasis mine)
Noticeably absent from Kerry’s weak defense of the treaty was a definition for the words “legitimate purposes.” According to the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, the treaty’s aim is to “prevent conventional weapons from being used for war crimes and human rights abuses, or (from) being diverted for illegal use by criminals.”
Hmmm…. “illegal use by criminals.” That sounds a lot like the language liberals use when they are trying to justify efforts to void the Second Amendment, don’t you think?
While the treaty was never ratified by the US Senate, as is required by the Constitution, Obama has implemented much of it without Senate approval as spineless Republicans did nothing to stop him. Well, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) did send a “warning letter” to the monarchical president not to enact the treaty without Senate Advice and Consent, but as we would learn during the Iran nuclear situation last year, Corker is willing to surrender the Senate’s constitutional authority when it suits him.
So, here’s the latest…
Last week, Obama submitted the ATT to the Senate–something he should have done years ago. Besides the fact that unlikely to pass, with Congress about to adjourn for Christmas vacation, nothing will be done with it until the new Congress is sworn in.
As his time in office winds down, why would Obama do this now? According to former NRA President, David Keene, there are two likely reasons:
- It serves notice that Obama and the Democrats are doubling down on the mistaken belief that attacking the Second Amendment is politically advantageous.
- A signed treaty essentially has no expiration date. It can be visited at any time–say, when the Democrats control the Senate again.
Keene also stated that Trump could remove the US signature, thus removing the requirement for action by the Senate. Unfortunately, Trump’s endless pivots away from his campaign promises, along with his shaky position on gun rights, makes such action extremely uncertain. Regardless, the treaty and it’s impact on the Second Amendment would remain.
David Leach is the owner of The Strident Conservative, your source for opinion that’s politically-incorrect and always “right.” His articles can also be found on RedState.com.
His daily radio commentary is nationally syndicated with Salem Radio Network and can be heard on stations across America.
