Canada Signing United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, a Concern Says NFA

National Firearms Association

NFA concerned about Government of Canada’s plan to align Canadian firearms legislation with United Nations Arms Trade Treaty

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – At the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (UNATT) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, the president of Canada’s National Firearms Association (NFA) voiced his displeasure at the Government of Canada’s commitment to bring in UN-driven firearms legislation that will see a major overhaul in how firearms are legislated here in Canada.

“The ATT will harm legitimate firearms owners here in Canada,” says Sheldon Clare, president of the NFA, and a director of the World Forum on Shooting Activities.

“This Treaty is going to mean changes to our domestic laws, and it will see increase costs for Canadians who buy firearms, ammunition, parts, and accessories,” continues Mr. Clare.   “This is an unreasonable treaty and we are incredibly disappointed that the Canadian government has decided to sign on to it.”

In her presentation to the UNATT Conference, Vanessa Wiley, the Second Secretary of Canada’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, stated that the Government of Canada will be bringing in new firearms legislation to ensure it is aligned with the UNATT.

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“The ATT was tabled for the consideration of our Parliament on June 17, 2016 and, in line with Parliamentary rules and procedures, this will be followed by legislation to effect the necessary changes,” said Wiley in her presentation.

Some of the negative aspects of the ATT:

● The ATT can be amended by members of the United Nations without Canada’s consent, meaning Canada will be forced to accept changes without any domestic oversight.

● The ATT could lead to new firearms laws that would be even more restrictive and damaging than the failed long-gun registry that was recently eliminated.

● The ATT will see the cost of firearms, ammunition, parts, and accessories for law-abiding owners increase. It will also mean much more difficulty in obtaining surplus ammunition and firearms.

While addressing the UNATT in Geneva, Mr. Clare stated that the treaty should have excluded civilian firearms and highlighted the economic importance of hunting and civilian firearms related activities.

In his presentation, Mr. Clare also called attention to past statements by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the UN, that has concerned many in the firearms community:

“When the UN Secretary General said in his statement to the Security Council last year that, “Guns can be licensed, marked and confiscated…”, he confirmed the fears of many people about the UN’s agenda towards civilian firearm ownership. Such statements are alarming to members of Canada’s recreational firearms community.”

Canada’s NFA has special consultative status at the United Nations, the only firearms rights advocacy organization in Canada to do so, and therefore is recognized by the United Nations to speak on behalf of firearms owners and users.

Canada’s National Firearms Association is this country’s largest and most effective advocacy organization representing the interests of firearms owners and users.

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Link to the NFA’s presentation to the UNATT can be found here: 

NFA UN ATT Presentation Geneva 2016

Link to the Government of Canada’s presentation to the UNATT can be found here: 

Government of Canada’s UN ATT Presentation 2016

For more information, contact:

Blair Hagen, Executive VP Communications, 604-753-8682 Blair@nfa.ca
Sheldon Clare, President, 250-981-1841 Sheldon@nfa.ca

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