Former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton on the UN Arms Trade Treaty

Published on July 26, 2012
Duration: 9:44

Former UN Ambassador John Bolton discusses the UN Arms Trade Treaty, expressing concerns that it could be used to undermine Second Amendment rights and US sovereignty. He argues that the treaty's language, while appearing to focus on international arms sales, could be interpreted to justify domestic gun control measures. Bolton emphasizes the importance of defeating such treaties in the Senate and highlights the potential for a second Obama term to accelerate an agenda of reduced individual liberty and ceded sovereignty.

Quick Summary

Former UN Ambassador John Bolton expresses concern that the UN Arms Trade Treaty could be used to undermine Second Amendment rights and US sovereignty. He argues that the treaty's indirect language may pave the way for domestic gun control measures, and stresses the importance of defeating such treaties in the Senate.

Chapters

  1. 00:00UN Treaty Negotiations Pace and Concerns
  2. 00:29US Statement on Second Amendment Rights
  3. 00:46Treaty Advancement Below the Radar
  4. 01:15Agendas of Nations in Treaty Discussions
  5. 01:34Concerns in the US Statement
  6. 02:00Administration's Strategy on Gun Control Language
  7. 02:26UN Operations and Administration Policy
  8. 02:44Obama's Agenda and Election Importance
  9. 03:16American Concern Over International Authority
  10. 03:39Law of the Sea Treaty Example
  11. 04:14Preamble vs. Action on Treaties
  12. 04:28Fast and Furious Operation Context
  13. 05:03Gun Control as a Top Agenda Item
  14. 05:15Push for Ammunition in the Treaty
  15. 05:30Administration Having It Both Ways
  16. 05:43Premise of the Arms Trade Treaty
  17. 06:04Other Governments' Compliance with Treaties
  18. 06:11Purpose of the Treaty Exercise
  19. 06:27Post-Treaty Ratification Expectations
  20. 06:40Treaty to the Senate and John Kerry
  21. 06:57Impact of Treaty Ratification on Domestic Gun Control
  22. 07:13Importance of the November Election
  23. 07:21Obama's Second Term and Individual Freedoms
  24. 07:36Healthcare and Sovereignty Concerns
  25. 07:50Obama's Flexibility with a Second Term
  26. 08:05Concerns About the Country's Direction
  27. 08:20Most Important Election Since WWII
  28. 08:28Adversaries Encouraged by US Performance
  29. 08:40Stark Choice in National Security Arena
  30. 08:50Does a Treaty Trump the Constitution?
  31. 09:03Treaty as Self-Executing Law
  32. 09:12Difficulty of Reversing Treaties
  33. 09:20Defeating the Arms Trade Treaty in the Senate
  34. 09:26Romney Administration's Stance
  35. 09:33Keeping the Effort Up
  36. 09:40Message to Americans: Defend Your Rights

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main concerns about the UN Arms Trade Treaty?

The primary concern is that the treaty's language, while appearing to regulate international arms sales, could be interpreted to justify domestic gun control measures in the United States, potentially undermining Second Amendment rights and US sovereignty.

How does the Obama administration approach the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations?

The Obama administration is described as maintaining a low profile and allowing the treaty to progress by indirection, aiming for outcomes that might not be immediately apparent to the public or the press, thus avoiding direct confrontation.

Can a UN treaty override the US Constitution?

While the Constitution is the supreme law, a ratified treaty can become self-executing, meaning it has the force of law in the United States. However, it does not inherently trump the Constitution, but its implementation can lead to conflicts.

What is the speaker's advice regarding the Arms Trade Treaty?

The speaker advises that the treaty must be defeated in the Senate if brought up for ratification. He also suggests that a new administration, like a Romney administration, should unsign the treaty to resolve the issue.

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