[font=]Thank you for contacting me regarding the United Nations (UN) Arms Trade Treaty. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter. I share your concerns regarding the implications of this treaty. As you may know, in October 2009, the Obama Administration announced that it would reverse U.S. policy by supporting the launch of UN talks on the formation of a treaty to regulate international arms sales. The negotiating forum for these talks, the UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty, produced the final treaty text, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on April 2, 2013. I am disappointed that the United States supported adoption of this treaty and that reports indicate that President Obama intends to sign this treaty in the near future. However, it is important to note that this treaty, even if signed by President Obama, will require ratification by two-thirds of the U.S. Senate in order to enter into force. As a result, I am proud to join with 35 of my Senate colleagues in cosponsoring Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 (S.Con.Res. 7), which would express the sense of Congress that the President should not sign the Arms Trade Treaty, and that if he submits it to the Senate, the Senate should not ratify it. I was also proud to vote in favor of an amendment (S.Amdt. 139) to the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Resolution (S.Con.Res.
to prevent the United States from entering the Arms Trade Treaty. This amendment was agreed to by a vote of 53-46, and was included in S.Con.Res. 8, as passed by the Senate on March 23, 2013. It is essential to safeguard law-abiding citizens’ constitutional right to own and use firearms designed for legitimate purposes such as hunting, target shooting, collecting, and self-protection. Restricting this right runs counter to the intent of our Founding Fathers, who expressly guaranteed in the Second Amendment that citizens would retain the right to keep and bear arms. Furthermore, the United States must carefully evaluate actions taken by international organizations to determine whether they are consistent with our national interests. As Americans, we take pride in our nation and its hard-fought independence, and you may be certain that I will vigorously oppose any legislation or action that infringes upon that sovereignty. I appreciate the opportunity to represent Texas in the United States Senate, and you may be certain that I will continue working with my colleagues to protect our sovereignty and defend our Second Amendment rights. Thank you for taking the time to contact me. Sincerely, JOHN CORNYN United States Senator 517 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510 Tel: (202) 224-2934 Fax: (202) 228-2856
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