Topic: Illicit Trade in Small Arms
Country: United States
Delegate Name: Logan Verner
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United States position papers GLIMUN 2009 committees
The United States has always upheld our people’s right to bear arms. The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution specifically protects this right. However, we have also put in place legislation that regulates the ownership of arms. For example, all or our states have requirements for owning a gun, some stricter than others. The United States cannot condone the illicit and immoral trade in small arms.
Any type of trade in arms is troubling. The United States has led the way in a united offensive against terrorism since the events of September 11, 2001. The illicit arms trade has fueled the terrorist agenda by providing terrorists with the necessary supplies to wreak havoc across the world. Thankfully, the trade of larger arms is much more difficult. Still, small arms are easier to conceal and smuggle, which makes them a large threat to global security.
Besides their ability to be smuggled, small arms can be used by many groups of people. Their size and generally low caliber ammunition makes them the optimum type of weapon to be used by women, children, and those without any experience with weapons. The use of child soldiers is facilitated by arms that are traded illegally. This situation greatly disturbs the United States. We strongly believe that children should be protected and the trade in small arms is putting many children at risk.
What can be done to make sure that dangerous individuals do not acquire the arms that would help to terrorize the populace? The United States believes that international restrictions must be put in place to protect the people.
