UN votes for arms trade treaty

Limits on rogue nations

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to create the first international treaty regulating the global arms trade by imposing new constraints on the sale of conventional arms to governments and armed groups that commit war crimes, genocide and other mass atrocities.

The U. N. vote was hailed by arms- control advocates and scores of governments, including the United States, as a major step in the global effort to enforce basic controls on the $70 billion international arms trade. But it was denounced by Iran, North Korea and Syria for imposing restrictions that prevent smaller states from buying and selling weapons to ensure their self-defense.

The treaty covers a wide range of conventional weapons, including tanks, armored combat vehicles, large-caliber artillery systems, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, missiles and small arms. These items could not be transferred to countries under U. N. arms embargoes or to states that promote genocide, crimes against humanity or war crimes.

The United States, which co-sponsored the treaty, said several U. S. agencies will conduct a review before the accord is presented to President Barack Obama for signature. The treaty would require ratification by the Senate.

The National Rifle Association contended during negotiations that the treaty would weaken Second Amendment gun rights in the United States. The powerful gun lobby has pledged to fight the treaty’s ratification in the Senate.

U. S. officials and several nongovernmental organizations, including the American Bar Association, have argued that the treaty would have no impact on American gun rights.

Its specific language recognizes the “legitimate trade and lawful ownership, and use of certain conventional arms for recreational, cultural, historical and sporting activities.”

The United Nations’ 193-member assembly voted 154 to 3 to adopt the treaty.

There were 23 abstentions, including from major arms traders including China, India and Russia, as well as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which are supplying weapons to opposition groups in Syria.

The treaty will not go into force until 90 days after it is ratified by 50 nations.

Iran, Syria and North Korea are among the governments likely to be targeted by the new measures.

They said the treaty was unfair to them and riddled with deficiencies. Iran and North Korea are under arms embargoes.