Former US Congressman Bob Barr, who has been attending his fifth UN conference on illicit international trade in small arms and light weapons since 2001, today issued the following statement at the conclusion of the two-week conference:

This latest UN conference on firearms which, like its previous meetings, in failing to reach a consensus on moving forward to continue its efforts to limit firearms possession, reflects a victory for freedom and sovereignty. While there are legitimate concerns regarding truly illicit international trafficking in military-style weapons that could be properly addressed by the United States and other nations in an international forum, because the UN and many of its member states tried to expand that narrow but important concern into an effort to limit the freedom of citizens in the US and other countries to possess firearms, the United States led the effort to stop such improper moves at the United Nations.

In commending the courage displayed by the United States in stopping the UN from taking steps to infringe US sovereignty in the area of firearms rights, Barr specifically singled out John Bolton, the US Representative to the UN, and Under Secretary of State Bob Joseph, for their firm and consistent involvement and leadership.

Barr also praised the work of the NRA, which, through its publications and grassroots efforts, had alerted many millions of Americans to the UN's efforts at limiting the right to keep and bear arms. But he also cautioned against complacency, noting that the international anti-firearms movement remains well-funded and organized and will not rest in its efforts to limit and eventually take away the right to keep and bear arms, which is a fundamental human right and a civil liberty specifically guaranteed in our Constitution
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For further information, please visit www.bobbarr.org or contact Taryn Jones at 770.836.1776.

Barr, a former Member of Congress (1995-2003), has served with the U.S. Department of Justice and Central Intelligence Agency and he continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Rifle Association. He is a lawyer and currently works with organizations including the American Conservative Union Foundation and the ACLU on issues related to privacy and national security. He serves as Chairman for Patriots to Restore Checks and Balances.