Press Releases

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today released the following statement after the United Nations General Assembly passed the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), with the support of representatives of the United States:

“I understand the intent and the effort to stop illegal arms sales, but it is clear that this treaty doesn’t understand or take into consideration the history of the United States or our Constitution.  In its preamble, it violates the Constitution by claiming to reaffirm the right of the State to regulate firearms.  But the right to be able to defend oneself by bearing arms is a part of the natural law recognized by the United States Constitution.  While this right was recognized by the Constitution, it was not granted by the Constitution because the power of the State cannot take away the natural laws of man. 

“These natural laws were the basis for both the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.  Virginia would not have ratified the Constitution if these rights were not recognized.  Secretary of State Kerry and the Obama administration clearly do not understand the history of the United States and the importance of the Bill of Rights, or they would not have agreed to a document that so callously disregards those rights.  While George III would have loved this treaty, I feel certain that Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Washington, and the other luminaries of Virginia’s revolutionary period would feel betrayed.”

NOTE:  In the 112^th Congress, Griffith cosponsored H.Res.814 to oppose the ATT, and also joined more than 100 House members in sending a letter to President Obama and then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opposing the ATT.  In the 113^th Congress, Griffith is one of 129 bipartisan cosponsors of H.Con.Res.23, a resolution that makes clear that the ATT undermines Constitutional freedom.  A companion resolution in the United States Senate, S.Con.Res.7, has 32 cosponsors.  Furthermore, in a vote of 53-46, the Senate last month passed an amendment to a budget bill that would prevent the United States from entering into the ATT.  The ATT must be approved by the Senate by a two-thirds majority before it can be ratified by the President.

###