Commitment:
"We will combat illegal firearms trafficking, by considering a new
international instrument. We will seek to adopt standard systems for firearms
identification and a stronger international regime for import and export
licensing of firearms".
France: Score: 0
At the European Union level, the French Government has been
engaged in measures to combat illegal firearms trafficking. A clause in the
EU's June 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam alluded to the need to expand the EU's
mandate to address illicit arms. In June 1997, the EU passed the EU Program
for Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Conventional Arms (EU
Resolution EU/9057/97DGE/CPSP IV). This program calls on the member states
to enhance cooperation and coordination on customs, intelligence and the
adoption of strict measures for the enforcement of arms export control
legislation. Moreover, the program calls for wider exchanges of information
and data on illegal firearms trafficking through the establishment of regional
commissions, the use of promotion of existing databases, funding of such
programs, and a coordinated system of review and evaluation. Although
France has signed the program, the implementation of concrete measures
in this regard is still forthcoming.
United States: Score: +1
On November 19, 1997 President Clinton signed the "Inter-American Convention
Against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking of Firearms, Ammunition,
Explosives, and Other Related Materials". By signing the convention, Clinton
not only reaffirmed the U.S.'s commitment to combating illegal firearms
trafficking, but also participated in establishing the world's first
international system for tracing light weapons. Also under the auspices of the
Organization of American States, a group of experts developed a set of "Model
Regulations to Control the Movement of Firearms, Ammunition, and Firearms Parts
and Components" in November 1997. The regulations, agreed upon by all OAS
members, encourage the regulation and licensing of firearm transfers between
OAS members. In addition, President Clinton issued an executive order on April
6, 1998 banning the import of more than 50 types of modified assault weapons,
thus complying with the G7's commitment to a "stronger international regime
for import and export licensing of firearms."
Britain: Score: 0
On December 10, 1997, Britain attended a Justice Ministerial chaired by
US Justice Minister Janet Reno. At the meeting, Britain consented to the
points outlined in the official summary following the conclusion of the
ministerial. Britain agreed on the adoption of tougher legislation on the sale
and possession of firearms, particularly handguns. Although Britain
acknowledged its support for international efforts aimed at adopting standard
systems for firearms identification and the adoption of an international regime
in this regard, Britain has not implemented policies that tackle the main issue
of firearms trafficking and the need to identify both the firearms and the
flows of illegal weapons.
Germany: Score: -1
Germany attended the December 10, 1997 Justice Ministerial hosted by US
Justice Minister Janet Reno. At the ministerial, Germany acknowledged its
commitment in working towards its goals outlined in the Denver
communiqué on transnational organized crime. However, on the issue of
combating firearms trafficking, Germany has been notably silent. Moreover,
Germany has failed to move forward on the issue of adopting standard systems
for firearms identification and the creation of a stronger international regime
for import and export licensing of firearms.
Japan: Score: 0
Japan's National Police Agency has given "top priority" to uncovering
international firearms trafficking into Japan. To this end, Japan was one of
the countries responsible for initiating the UN ECOSOC Commission on Crime
Prevention and Criminal Justice's effort to harmonize worldwide gun control
laws. The Commission held four Regional Workshops on Firearm Regulation for the
Purpose of Crime Prevention and Public Safety. The Japanese Government paid
the expenses for 23 of the 28 government representatives attending the second
regional workshop held in Africa. Although workshop discussion was intended to
focus on "Civilian firearms and civilian firearm regulation, with an
international perspective", discussion was actually dominated by the topic of
domestic gun control laws as delegates recognized that: "To control light
weapons internationally, it will be necessary to control them nationally".
Japan is one of the only nations worldwide that has banned all private
ownership of firearms and strictly regulates the importation of firearms.
Italy: Score: -1
In June, 1997 the EU (including Italy) passed the EU Program for Preventing
and Combating Illicit Firearms Trafficking, which calls on EU members to
enhance cooperation and coordination on customs and intelligence, and to adopt
stricter measures for the enforcement of arms export control legislation. It
also calls for the establishment of regional commissions and a coordinated
system of review and evaluation. Although this initiative appears to be
evidence of compliance on the part of the EU member countries, no direct action
has been taken by the Italian Government toward the domestic implementation of
this EU-endorsed legislation.
Canada: Score: +1
The Canadian Government has recently proposed tighter regulations dealing
with the importation and exportation of firearms across the border that is
scheduled to come into effect on January 1, 2001.
As a member of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Canadian
Government is involved in two specific efforts relating to illicit arms
trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. In November 1997, under the auspices of
the OAS Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), a group of
experts developed a set of Model Regulations to Control the Movement of
Firearms, Ammunition, and Firearms Parts and Components. These
stipulations encourage the regulation and licensing of firearm transfers by all
OAS member states. In November 1997, the Canadian Government also signed the
Inter-American Convention Against the Illicit Manufacturing and Trafficking
in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials. The
purpose of the convention is to "prevent, fight and eradicate the problem of
the illicit manufacturing and trafficking of firearms, ammunition, explosives
and the related materials because of their connection with terrorism, drug
trafficking, organized crime, and related felonies". The document commits the
member states to the creation of state-level advisory committees, with
responsibilities for promoting data-exchange (on the production, export and
import of firearms, ammunition, explosives and other related materials),
further standardization of laws on import/export, encouraging coordinated
investigations and developing communications systems.
Russia: Score: 0
The Russian Interior Ministry cracked down late last year on illegal
weapons. A police operation yielded over 10,000 weapons as well as ammunition.
Russia, however, has sought to re-start firearms exports to the US and this was
an item on the agenda for Chernomyrdin during his discussions with US Vice
President Al Gore. In light of recent legislation proposed by the Clinton
administration to control firearms imports, success for Russian firearm sales
seems highly doubtful. Russia made some effort toward meeting its communique
commitment by agreeing to sign on to a United Nations resolution on firearms
regulation. But because no concrete action has been taken regarding this
initiative in the post- Denver period, the Russian Government is awarded a
grade of 0.
Reports produced by Cindy Blazevic, Aaron Chai, Litza Smirnakis and Lorna
Schmidt
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