Kerry signs global arms treaty

last updated 8 January 2015

Secretary of State John Kerry signed the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty last week to regulate the cross-border weapons trade, despite strong opposition from the U.S. gun lobby. The U.S., which exports around 80 percent of the world’s arms, became the 91st country to sign the treaty, which bans the sale of weapons to countries prone to human rights abuses. The National Rifle Association claims the treaty paves the way for a U.N. crackdown on domestic gun rights. Kerry said its export controls already apply to the U.S. “This treaty will not diminish anyone’s freedom,” he said. The treaty’s ratification, which requires a two thirds majority of the U.S. Senate, is considered unlikely.