U.N.'s Global Gun Grab

The AP reports:

A key United Nations committee approved a resolution that could lead to an international treaty on small-arms control, a move hailed by gun-control advocates but opposed by the U.S. and gun-rights groups.

The measure would begin studies of a possible treaty, and must be approved by the General Assembly, which is likely to take it up next month. Human-rights campaigners said such a treaty would go a long way toward keeping small arms out of conflict zones.

Supporters of the U.N. action say such weapons can flow into conflict areas because of inconsistencies in current laws.

The resolution said the lack of international standards in the arms trade "is a contributory factor to conflict, displacement of people, crime and terrorism." It asked Secretary-General Kofi Annan to authorize the establishment of a group of experts to look into "establishing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms."

The resolution was adopted Thursday by the General Assembly committee dealing with disarmament issues with 139 "yes" votes, 24 abstentions and one "no" vote, lodged by the U.S.

Tyrants want a monopoly on guns.