IANSA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) is an international non-governmental organization recognized by the United Nations.[1] IANSA is based in London and has over 700 member organizations worldwide, working to stop the proliferation and use of small arms and light weapons.[2] Its director is Rebecca Peters.[3]

IANSA describes key issues in its work as including public health, women and guns, child soldiers, and trade controls. It also describes a range of regional issues around the world, including drug violence in South American countries.

Contents

[edit] United Nations Activities

IANSA was involved in lobbying the 2001 United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms which produced an agreed programme of action.[4] A UN Review Conference ended in July 2006 [2] without further agreement.

IANSA, part of the Control Arms Campaign, promotes an international treaty regulating the conventional arms trade. A resolution to begin work on this Arms Trade Treaty was approved by the UN General Assembly in 2006.[5]

The US National Rifle Association has accused IANSA of using the treaty as the first step in a ban on private gun ownership in the United States,[6] and also of making it easier for the world's dictatorships to oppress their own citizens.[7] The Gun Owners of America lobbying organisation has been equally vocal in its criticism of IANSA.[8]

[edit] Gun Control Activities

IANSA is described as an umbrella network to which almost all national and regional gun control groups belong.[9]. IANSA opposes the use of firearms for self-defense[9]. It advocates prohibiting the private possession of many kinds of small arms, including semi-automatic rifles and handguns.[9][10] It advocates that private citizens undergo a licensing process before they can possess any remaining firearms, and that legally possessed firearms be stored unloaded and away from ammunition.[10]

[edit] National Activities

[edit] Brazil

Main article: Gun politics in Brazil

IANSA membership in Brazil includes the groups Instituto Sou da Paz and Viva Rio[11] which campaigned for a complete ban on civilian gun sales in Brazil[12]. The ban was subject to a national referendum in 2005 which was defeated by 64% of the voters.[13]

[edit] Canada

Main article: Gun politics in Canada

The IANSA network includes Canadian gun control organizations such as the Coalition for Gun Control[14]

[edit] United States of America

Main article: Gun politics in the United States

IANSA membership in the United States includes gun control organizations such as the Coalition To Stop Gun Violence, Legal Community Against Violence and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence[14].

[edit] Funding

IANSA’s work has been supported by funders including the Governments of UK, Belgium, Sweden and Norway, as well as the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Compton Foundation, Ploughshares Fund, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Open Society Institute created by George Soros, Samuel Rubin Foundation and Christian Aid.

[edit] See also

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ DPI NGO Section
  2. ^ About IANSA. Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
  3. ^ IANSA Secretariat. Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
  4. ^ UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, July 2001 accessed at [1] September 6, 2006
  5. ^ "International Arms Trade Treaty Aim of Draft Resolution", Press Release, UN General Assembly Department of Public Information, News and Media Division, 26 October 2006. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  6. ^ "H.R. 3436/S. 1488 The “Second Amendment Protection Act of 2005: Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms From infringement by the United Nations.", Fact Sheet: International/UN Gun Control Issues, National Rifle Association, Institute for Legislative Action, 7/26/2006. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  7. ^ Kopel, David B.; Paul Gallant & Joanne D. Eisen. "Uganda: We're from the government, and we're here to help you.", National Rifle Association, Institute for Legislative Action, 12/20/2007. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  8. ^ Chumita, Chris. "A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing", Gun Owners of America, Jul 2006. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  9. ^ a b c Kopel, David B.; Paul Gallant & Joanne D. Eisen. "The Human Right of Self-Defense" (pdf). BYU Journal of Public Law 22 (1): 43–178. Provo, Utah, USA: Brigham Young University. 
  10. ^ a b IANSA position paper: National regulation of small arms (pdf). IANSA (2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
  11. ^ IANSA: Members: South America. IANSA (2007-06-14).
  12. ^ The Campaign for the Brazilian Referendum Starts Today (pdf). IANSA (2005-08-05).
  13. ^ "Brazilians reject gun sales ban", BBC News, 2005-10-24. Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 
  14. ^ a b IANSA: Members: North America. IANSA (2007-06-14)..

[edit] Links