United Nations
How, Why UN Small Arms Meeting Made Headway - Chairman Speaks
Arms Control Today (USA)
10 Oct 2008
When I was nominated in December 2007 as the chair-designate of the third biennial meeting of states (BMS3),[1] my team and I immediately focused on the task of ensuring a successful outcome. This, of course, is the duty of any meeting chair; but in this case, the need for success was acute. The first two biennial meetings held to consider the implementation of the Program of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA) in 2003 and 2005 had been criticized for their lack of tangible results, specifically the absence of an agreed outcome. The 2006 Review Conference for the program had ended, amidst some... ( gunpolicy.org )
Nigeria
National Commission to Control Guns One Step Closer for Nigeria
This Day (Nigeria)
10 Oct 2008
ABUJA -- The Federal Government yesterday inaugurated committee for the establishment of a National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons. Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Fidelia Akuabata Njeze, said this is coming at a time when the country's peace and stability is increasingly under threat by activities of armed groups, as currently being witnessed in some parts of the country. The committee, is to propose the mandate and composition of the Commission, recommend a trim structure, organogram and duties of Principal Officers of the Commission's Secretariat, recommend the legal, legislative and administrative procedures towards setting up the... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
Ohio Governor Joins Obama's Drive to Soothe Scared US Gun Owners
Reuters
10 Oct 2008
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio -- Gov. Ted Strickland on Friday sought to allay concerns of gun owners in his state who fear Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama would push for greater restrictions on firearms. "There is probably no governor, I would say, in the United States of America, who has a stronger, better record in the support of the Second Amendment than does Governor Ted Strickland and I'm proud of that," Strickland told a rally in Chillicothe as he warmed up the crowd ahead of a speech by Obama. Strickland, whose battleground state is a focus of intensive campaigning by Obama and Republican John McCain, said he spoke directly to Obama about... ( gunpolicy.org )
Rwanda
Soldier Runs Amok, Kills Six in Rwanda Gun Massacre
New Times (Kigali)
10 Oct 2008
GASABO -- A Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) soldier who recently shot to death six people yesterday appeared before the Military Tribunal from where he pleaded guilty to the murders. Pte Jean Bosco Bizimana Misoro on the night of September 25 went on rampage in Kimisagara, a Kigali suburb and instantly killed five innocent civilians and a military policeman in what he called 'self defence.' He is accused of two counts; murder and armed robbery but he pleaded guilty of only murder. "I killed those people because they had suspected me to be a thief because of a misunderstanding that ensued between me and a motorist who had just transported me to that... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States, Thailand, Russia
Thai Court Hears US Extradition Case of Russian Gun Runner Viktor Bout
Associated Press
10 Oct 2008
BANGKOK, Thailand -- The defense lawyer for a Russian man alleged to be one of the world's biggest arms dealers said Friday that his client would not receive a fair trial if extradited to the United States. The United States is seeking the extradition from Thailand of Viktor Bout, who has been indicted in the U.S. on four terrorism-related charges. He was arrested in Thailand on March 6. "My client is innocent. We are trying to prove that he would not get a fair trial" in the U.S., defense attorney Chamroen Panompakakorn said outside the courtroom of the Bangkok Criminal Court. In cross-examination for the defense, Chamroen had asked a witness,... ( gunpolicy.org )
United Kingdom, United Nations
UK Union Boss, Amnesty International Call for Global Gun Trade Treaty
Guardian (UK), Letter
10 Oct 2008
This week marks the start of crucial discussions at the UN on whether or not to start work on a treaty that would stop weapons ending up in the hands of abusers, and that would tighten controls on the huge number of weapons flooding our planet (China warns US over plan for $6.5bn arms sale to Taiwan, October 8). Such a treaty is desperately needed. Every day 1,000 people die as a result of armed violence. And 639m small arms are in circulation around the world. The absence of any comprehensive legally binding international controls over the arms trade seriously exacerbates such abuses. The trade union movements stand in solidarity with victims of armed violence.... ( gunpolicy.org )
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