Posted on 07/09/2006 3:16:53 PM PDT by lrb111
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.
The conference was held behind closed doors, and diplomats refused to speak to the media. But a leaked copy of Canada's proposal — supported by a number of states — called for a one-week meeting to be held in Geneva in 2007.
It would focus on a set of global principles to govern the transfer of all small arms and light weapons, and develop a strategy to mobilize enough resources to put the 2001 plan of action into effect in countries that lack the money and trained personnel to do so. As well, it would look for ways to reduce the demand for guns used by criminals and militias that routinely violate human rights.
Those are some of the topics gun control advocates hoped would be endorsed at the UN meeting.
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.
But Sri Lankan Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam, president of the conference, said he didn't consider the meeting a failure. "It ended without a final document, but a lot of work was done and there was a sense of collective will that we will see the program of action implemented," he said.
It would have been worse, he said, if the conference produced a document that rolled back some of the program, as it appeared to be doing earlier in the week.
The UN program, while voluntary, has sparked tighter laws in many countries.
"The program of action is still in effect and it will continue," Kariyawasam said. "It's unfortunate that there were differences about how to handle the issues."
The U.S. opposed a further UN review meeting. And it is unlikely to support Canada's proposal for a parallel conference in Geneva. The National Rifle Association, which attacked the conference as an infringement on American constitutional rights, also condemned efforts to continue the talks.
Canada, which helped push through a land-mine treaty at a 1999 Ottawa meeting, said in its statement that the international community "must do everything in its power to stop the carnage wrought by the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons, while respecting the legitimate interests of lawful firearms producers, exporters, retailers and users."
But, it said, the Geneva meeting would be funded on a "voluntary basis" and take place only if countries anted up. The plan was hailed by European delegates.
They look so much better now without that stupid thumbhole stock. I like that scary bayonet too.
Just seeing a bayonet probably makes those UN bedwetters pass out.
His is Romanian as well. I don't know where his knife is for his, probably with my bayonet for my .303, because I can't find it either. :-)
That's how we are in this house. ;-) Get thee to a dealer and get one for yourself. Just think how cool it would be if you and your son had a matching set.
I can see it in my minds eye....cool.
Ditto
This was before my time, but I read that the Russians on the Security Council during the Korean War passed any intelligence they got at the UN on to the enemy in Korea. Communists then, moslems now: Hey Hey, Ho Ho... The UN Has Got to Go!!!
"govern the transfer of all small arms and light weapons"
Besides the normal right and determination not to become 'gun-less' = I don't think these numbskulls take into account the added sense of the need for means of self-protection the muzzies intent to kill us all has added to the situation. But "numbskull" and "liberal/socialist" is synonymous.
Back in my investigative reporter days, I infiltrated some democrat/socialist meetings (and they CALL themselves Democrat Socialists) and they all ended, invariably, in chaos. It's the natural outcome of the workings of minds are hardwired backwards
I purchased a Romanian SKS and two cases of ammo a few years ago. It was impossible to find an AK-47 because of the assault weapons ban in California. I've seen a couple decent looking AK rifles since moving to Idaho, but the 7.62x39 ammo supply is drying up. The 1000 round cases I purchased in 2000 for $120 will set you back $190 if you can even find them. There is a variant that will shoot .223. Same mechanism, but the ammo is far more plentiful.
I'm confused....are there some UN meetings that end some other way?
""The UN program, while voluntary,. . .""
like taxes ??
What does everyone see in a .223? Am I missing something? I once fired a friends AR-15 and all I got out of it was a lot of noise and a small hole.
Maybe I'm just spoiled to heavier firepower like a .44, .357, .45 LC, or a .30-06, or something like that.
Once in a great while, there's good news.
I enjoy the flat shooting performance of 17M2, Ruger 204 and .223 for punching paper targets. Low recoil and easy to put 10 rounds in a single fat hole. I do have a 15" .308 barrel for the Encore. That gets fired with Speer 100 gr "Plinker" bullets and a minimum load of powder. Fun without too much punishment.
There ya go, plinking material. Excellent reason. ;-)
Dang, you got firepower from hell...share the wealth, especially the 500 S&W Mag. Ooh la la. (pardon my french)
My son cannot fix his bayonet onto his AK because he doesn't know what a bayonet lug looks like. He just shoots it then clobbers his man-target with the stock. What does the lug look like, and how is it used?
Globalization under the KeyStone cops. I don't fear the UN....I fear the organization that will come after..... And the man who will rule with an iron fist.
The 460 Mag Hunter model is similar to the 500 S&W. Same Picatinny rail. It shoots 255 gr 45LC with hardly any recoil. When I took my favorite 200 gr FN over 37 gr of W296, I got a painful result. It was 32 degrees outside. The muzzle blast from the 460 slapped the left side of my face and raised a couple bloody spots. Ouch. Recoil was slightly less than the Ruger 454 Casull, but I was somewhat distracted mopping the blood off my face. Last time I had an experience like that was a reflection from a 44 mag round fired from my 629PP. A chunk of lead snapped through the tip of my left ear. Lots of stinging and sticky blood on my left hand. I had to unload the other 5 rounds before leaving the firing line to find a wet paper towel. There's a real good reason for wearing eye protection. Ear protection that covers the ears (instead of just a 32 db foam plug) would have avoided the tweak from the 44 mag.
Package includes: Universal M1 Carbine ($300.00 value) 9 magazines ($170.00 value) (5 30rnd, 3 15rnd, 1 5rnd (to make it legal for hunting)) 500+ rounds of ammo ($130.00+ value) .30 cal. Ammo can ($5.00 value) sling
Proceeds to benefit VetsCoR. FReep mail me for details. Not for sale in CA or any other state that prohibits this weapon. Check your local state laws before contacting me. Purchaser to pay shipping and any fee charged by your local FFL holder, who will do the BATF paperwork. MUST BE SHIPPED TO AN FFL DEALER FOR DELIVERY. AZ residents to pay 7.85% sales tax. If you pay by credit card, add 2% service charge.
to anyone who saw the FOR SALE notice in my last reply ... I'm sorry .. the weapon listed is gone already ... THANKS from VetsCoR
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