Paul Condemns UN Gun Control Conference

FOR RELEASE: July 10, 2001

Washington, DC- Congressman Ron Paul yesterday criticized a UN gun control conference currently being held in New York, citing the threat posed to domestic gun rights.

"The UN gun-grabbers don't care about our Constitution and they don't care about national sovereignty," Paul stated. "The UN always wants to expand its power, and global gun control goes hand in hand with global government. Every American who cares about the 2nd Amendment should oppose this latest UN attempt to dictate our domestic laws."

The conference focuses on creating worldwide standards for the manufacture, sale, and possession of small arms. While UN spokesmen claim that any proposals will be non-binding, the organization's own website details an earlier conference in Vienna (March 2001) where delegates agreed to a "legally binding protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms." UN secretary general Kofi Annan deemed the conference "A step in the right direction… a recognition by the international community that we need to do something about these weapons."

"There is no question that the UN ultimately seeks to impose worldwide gun control, although it has no legal or moral authority to do so," Paul continued. "Congress and the American people must oppose any efforts to undermine the constitutional rights of our citizens."

Paul plans to co-sponsor legislation calling for Congress to reject any proposals arising from the conference.