There are 80 million gun owners in America, and roughly 650 to 875 million weapons are in the hands of civilians in the world.
According to the National Rifle Association website, it is not affiliated with any firearm or ammunition company, however, 12 of their 22 “corporate partners,” as they call them, are gun companies that contributed $71 million to NRA in 2010. A lobby by any other name is still a lobby.
Although most gun exports are traded legally, they can remain in circulation for as much as 40 years for an assault rifle. Lack of end-use control has produced a thriving black market in small arms, the majority from previously legal deals.
Innumerable human rights violations have been perpetrated at the end of a gun.
Wayne LaPierre, NRA executive vice president, said, “The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.” The NRA has vowed to fight the international arms treaty being considered because of their position on disarmament efforts on civilians in international trade. If warlords and governments have access to guns, so should their citizens. Sound familiar?
