Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

United Nations Finalizes Plan to Regulate Ammunition

Monday, June 12, 2023

United Nations Finalizes Plan to Regulate Ammunition

Late into the night on 9 June, 2023 the United Nation’s Open-Ended Working Group on Conventional Ammunition (OEWG) concluded its development of a new global framework to address existing gaps in through-life conventional ammunition management despite the dissociation of the Russian Federation and their bedfellows Belarus. 

Created through General Assembly resolution purporting to address problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus, the OEWG wasted no time in expanding their work since it began in February 2022.  Under the guise of “through-life ammunition management”, universal ammunition serialization, running hand and hand with user registration, quickly became the OEWG’s end goal.  This was evident when the group was established and has continued throughout all four weeks of their discussions, where even the word “stockpile” rarely got mentioned.  After all, even in the specious world of the UN, no-one could argue that a global agreement telling countries to secure their national ammunition stockpiles was necessary.

It is also why the OEWG has been deliberate in leaving any attempts to define its key terms out of the final report.  Similar to the dangers associated with the United Nations’ refusal to define the term “end user”, the OEWG’s purported focus, “conventional ammunition stockpiles”, remains open to interpretation.  This is not a mistake, as it leaves the door open for arguments to be made that even a 25-round box of .22lr constitutes one.

This is also why the work of this group is so concerning, and why NRA-ILA has attended all of their meetings alongside a technical expert from the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute.  Unfortunately, global interest in the dangerous of this group have been minimal, at best, with limited participation from industry and ammunition manufacturers outside of our borders, culminating with zero attendance from any at this final, and most critical of meetings.

Fortunately, an effective delegation from the United States was responsive to many of our recommendations throughout the meetings and was successful in their arguments to water down most of the most egregious provisions contained in each of the five draft reports the OEWG produced.  This included removal of attempts to require “individual” end-user certificates, ensuring any calls to regulate the undefined term “stockpile” were limited to those held at the national level, and for language requiring the marking (serialization) every round of ammunition to be amended into simply something that should be “consider[ed]” for ammunition under national ownership.

These were small victories for the entire international firearms community; however, at the United Nations, this means little.  Unlike our Constitution, the framework that was produced this week is a living document which, once adopted by the General Assembly later this year, can, and will, be modified over time.  Not only will work continue on further restricting its terms during the official and perpetual future OEWG meetings, but arguments will now be made for incorporation and expansion of it and its terms into all of the other United Nations firearms initiatives, including the Programme of Action, Firearms Protocol and Arms Trade Treaty.

Rest assured that even though the global firearms community is largely absent from this fight NRA-ILA recognizes its significance and we will continue to battle to protect your rights in the international arena.

IN THIS ARTICLE
United Nations
TRENDING NOW
Declassified Document: Biden-Harris Administration Targeted Gun Owners and Second Amendment Rights Under “Domestic Terrorism” Pretext

News  

Monday, April 21, 2025

Declassified Document: Biden-Harris Administration Targeted Gun Owners and Second Amendment Rights Under “Domestic Terrorism” Pretext

On April 16, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made good on a promise to expose the ways in which the Biden administration had weaponized the federal government against its political adversaries by releasing the Biden-era “Strategic Implementation Plan ...

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

News  

Friday, March 21, 2025

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

On March 20, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published an interim final rule entitled, Withdrawing the Attorney General’s Delegation of Authority. That bland title belies the historic nature of the measure, which is aimed at reviving ...

Federal Court in Massachusetts Enforces Range Access Statute in Pathbreaking Case

News  

Monday, April 21, 2025

Federal Court in Massachusetts Enforces Range Access Statute in Pathbreaking Case

It has happened before in Massachusetts: A small, hardy band of armed Americans faces off against elements of the most powerful military in the world and commits a revolutionary act that paves the way for ...

Germany Strips “Extremist” AfD Members, Supporters of Gun Licenses, Guns

News  

Monday, April 14, 2025

Germany Strips “Extremist” AfD Members, Supporters of Gun Licenses, Guns

It’s been only a few years since the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution calling the NRA a “domestic terrorist organization.” 

Trump DOJ Creates Second Amendment Task Force to Undo Damage of Biden Era

News  

Monday, April 14, 2025

Trump DOJ Creates Second Amendment Task Force to Undo Damage of Biden Era

Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) formally announced the creation of a Second Amendment Task Force with Attorney General Pam Bondi declaring, “It is the policy of the Department of Justice to use its full ...

Washington: Permit to Purchase Bill Passes Senate

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Washington: Permit to Purchase Bill Passes Senate

On Monday, April 14th, the Senate passed House Bill 1163, the permit-to-purchase scheme, along party lines. It will now return to the House for concurrence with amendments made in the Senate. NRA members must urge ...

DOJ Drops Controversial NFA Charge Against Pardoned Jan. 6 Protestor

News  

Monday, April 21, 2025

DOJ Drops Controversial NFA Charge Against Pardoned Jan. 6 Protestor

Last February, NRA-ILA’s reporting exposed the case of Taylor Taranto, a pardoned January 6 protestor separately arrested on firearm charges in Washington, D.C. 

Tennessee: Pro-Gun Bills Advance to Governor's Desk

Monday, April 21, 2025

Tennessee: Pro-Gun Bills Advance to Governor's Desk

Last week, the Tennessee legislature passed two pro-gun bills, advancing them to Governor Bill Lee's desk for his consideration.

Tennessee: Legislative Session Adjourns with Wins for Gun Owners & the Firearm Industry

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Tennessee: Legislative Session Adjourns with Wins for Gun Owners & the Firearm Industry

Yesterday, April 22nd, the Tennessee General Assembly adjourned its 2025 legislative session. Two pro-gun bills received final passage and have been transmitted to Governor Lee’s desk for consideration:      

Florida: Legislation to Remove 2A Restrictions During Emergencies Sent to Governor’s Desk

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Florida: Legislation to Remove 2A Restrictions During Emergencies Sent to Governor’s Desk

Today, companion bills Senate Bill 952 and House Bill 6025, protecting our Second Amendment Rights during a state of emergency, received final passage from the legislature and will now head to Governor DeSantis's desk for his consideration.  

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.