Could the International
Arms Trade Treaty be Failing?

UPDATED, 9/18 — The 11th Conference of State Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT CSP11) took place Aug. 25-29 in Geneva Switzerland, and according to Rick Patterson, president and CEO of Liberty's Keystone, who was in attendance, "There is widespread recognition the ATT is failing."

Patterson was representing the Second Amendment Foundation, the organization which has become a legal and educational powerhouse in the gun rights movement over the past 15 years. SAF and its sister organization, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, will co-host the 40th annual Gun Rights Policy Conference Sept. 26-28 in Salt Lake City. SAF was also a driving force behind creation of the International Association for the Protection of Civilian Arms Rights (IAPCAR), cementing its keen interest in the Arms Trade Treaty.

In a report to TGM, Patterson stated, "As will be discussed shortly, the UK has proposed creating a 5-year plan [sic strategic plan] to get the ATT 'on track.' In their meeting to discuss the concept there was a directly stated recognition among many of the participants the ATT is failing."

According to Patterson, the theme of this year's conference was focused on "Treaty Universalization." Interventions followed similar messaging: …