GUNS/BARMS

[Gmenfan]

NRA: Obama Support of UN Gun Treaty 'an End-Run Around Congress'

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/NRA-Obama-UN-gun-treaty/2014/11/17/id/607823/

The National Rifle Association is warning that the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty set to take effect on Dec. 24 could lead to increased gun control if President Obama implements it via executive order.

"We are worried about an end-run around Congress," NRA spokeswoman Catherine Mortensen told The Blaze. "Barack Obama or a future anti-gun president could use [the treaty] and international norms compliance to rationalize enacting gun control politics through executive actions, especially in the import and export realms."

Under the terms of the U.N. treaty, participating nations must set up export and import controls for combat vehicles, aircraft, and small arms. The treaty also requires those nations to "establish and maintain a national control system, including a national control list, in order to implement the provisions," the Washington Times reported.

The treaty was approved by the U.N. General Assembly in April 2013.
Mortensen charged that the treaty is an "attempt by other countries, including some despotic regimes, to try and infringe on our constitutional rights. This treaty is a very real threat."

The United States delegation to the U.N. supports the treaty, but the Senate, which is soon to be controlled by Republicans, is "less than likely" to ratify it, the Times observes.

But the Obama administration is publicly voicing support for the treaty, and the NRA fears that could eventually result in implementation via executive order.

"Even now, with an existing appropriations rider prohibiting action to implement the treaty unless it is approved by Congress, administration officials are publicly professing support for international efforts to bring the treaty into effect," Mortensen said. "That's outrageous.

"The United Nations is trying to establish what they call basic norms and bring international pressure on the United States to eviscerate our Second Amendment Rights and they have found willing allies in the Obama administration and John Kerry," Mortensen added.

Gun control is an issue in the undecided Senate race in Louisiana, where incumbent Mary Landrieu is facing a Dec. 6 runoff. The NRA has attacked Landrieu over her vote in favor of an amendment to bolster gun background checks. The amendment did not survive a filibuster.