U.N. Arms Trade Treaty Takes Leap Toward Entry Into Force

[Purveyor]

Source: Agence France-Presse

By Louis Charbonneau
UNITED NATIONS Wed Apr 2, 2014 5:59pm EDT

(Reuters) - The U.N. Arms Trade Treaty took a major step forward on its eventual entry into force on Wednesday as 18 countries, including five of the world's top 10 arms exporters, delivered proof of its ratification to the United Nations.

Exactly one year ago, the 193-member U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the treaty, which aims to regulate the $85 billion arms industry and to keep weapons out of the hands of human rights abusers and criminals.

The treaty will enter into force once 50 countries have presented proof of ratification to the United Nations. With the latest 18 countries, there are now 31 ratifications out of 118 signatories, or 19 short of the number needed for the treaty to take effect.

--clip
The United States, the world's top arms exporter, signed the Arms Trade Treaty in September, but has not yet ratified it. The National Rifle Association, a powerful U.S. gun lobby, is opposed to ratification of the treaty, even though it only covers weapons exports, not domestic gun sales.


Read more: http://www.france24.com/en/20140402-eighteen-countries-ratify-un-treaty-arms-trade/

[LTG]

1. Don't expect the US to ratify anytime soon.

We may not live to see this ratified. With ratification requiring 67 votes. That's a lot Republicans to convince, or seats to take.