Download Disarmament and International Security Committee

Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC)
Topic A: Policing of the civil right to carry conventional weapons
Introduction
This Committee deals with disarmament,
global challenges and threats to peace
that affect the international community and
seeks out solutions to the challenges in the
international security regime.
It
considers
all
disarmament
and
international security matters within the
scope of the charter or relating to the
powers and functions of any other organ of
the United Nations; the general principles
of cooperation in the maintenance of
international peace and security, as well
as principles governing disarmament and
the regulation of armaments; promotion of
cooperative arrangements and measures
aimed at strengthening stability through
lower levels of armaments.
Gun control also refers to laws or policies that
regulate the manufacture, sale, possession,
modification, trade, and transport, specifically
with regard to the class of weapons referred
to as small arms such as revolvers and selfloading pistols, rifles and carbines, assault
rifles, submachine guns and light machine
guns. Which are catalogued as conventional
weapons referring to weapons that are not
weapons of mass destruction. Those are
the principal tools used in all belic conflicts
up to the present day. However, while they
inflict traumatic damage, they often get less
attention compared to weapons of mass
destruction, usually these are weapons
designed for individual use.
Some of these regulations attempt to
control crime or reduce the harmful effects
of violence. As well as being helpful for
nations in restricting the development,
testing, manufacturing, deployment or use
of weapons proliferation. Moreover these
restrictions of gun control may refer to:
-Control over civilian possession of weapons.
-Control over arms production of a country.
-Control over the production of certain types
of weapons.
-Domestic regulation of firearm manufacture
-International non-proliferation agreements.
Governments treaties facilitate the task of
controlling weapons through traceability,
which involves the marking of all weapons,
ranging from serial numbers to the sensors
radio frequency.
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These restrictions can happen internationally
through agreements between countries.
Nevertheless not all civilians have access
to conventional weapons according to
the country they inhabit, however some
countries allow their citizens the carrying
of conventional weapons if they comply
with the appropriate requirements that are
requested. For instance some countries,
such as the United Kingdom, have very
strict limits on gun possession while others,
like the United States, have relatively few
restrictions (although policies vary from
state to state). The terms and procedures
must be completely lawful and true, in
this way denying permission and access
to persons providing any false data, this
is vitally important in order to achieve the
most possible control and supervision. This
issue generally argues that widespread gun
ownership increases the danger of gun
violence. On the other hand opponents of
gun control and advocates of gun rights
argue that gun control does not reduce
crime, and violates individual liberties. It is
estimated that in 2013 about 875 million small
arms circulated worldwide. All this leads us
to the question: why this is relevant?
at high speed from a distance, often in bursts
of several bullets per second. The presence
of a gun also reduces the likelihood that
someone passing through the area go
to help the victim or try to reassure the
aggressor. Firearms are cheap, easy to carry
and hide and easy to use. A firearm at home
represents a high risk of homicide, but also
has other significant impacts because the
weapons are used to threaten, intimidate,
subdue and assault. In many contexts the risk
is greater to civils being killed by their known
than by strangers that are exposed. Among
those who commit violent acts by firearms
are members of the police, the military,
non-state armed groups family, friends, and
couples.
Weapons cannot be the cause of violence,
but greatly multiply its damage. When guns
replace the knives, it is more likely that the
*Since when this became a conflict?
result ends in death. Firearms, specifically
designed to injure and kill, can shoot bullets
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Historical Background
*Divide this part by centuries
*Information before 2010
*Mention the most exact date of the events
*Include tragic events or situations in which
civils carrying conventional weapons are
involved
*Relevant events that gives the topic
relevance and helps the delegates to
understand it
Along the history, both internal and external
conflicts have existed, in which necessarily
the civil ones of different countries have
been involved in each of the conflicts
carried out, this has taken breakdown in the
current civil society from the year 1990; this
breakdown has been characterized by the
violation of the human rights, disappearance
of social norms and by the constant struggle
of groups of different races, tribes, ethnic
groups and religious groups.
The home proliferation conventional
weapon or “portable” weapon has been
so big that civil inexpert and even children
can obtain armament of this type in some
countries. These actions have taken as a
result that the safety problems worsen and
that the task of restoring the peace and the
world order is more difficult.
20th century
The death of 2 children in a hearth to the
south-west of Cali, Colombia, has put in
discussion the firearms possession in the
house on the part of the civil society, since
the fatal accident happened the 20th July
with a revolver belonging to a relative of the
children.
A report shows that between the year 1996
and 1998 children died of between 5 and 14
years
The cost of the attempts of the restoration
of the peace (military intervention, refuges,
etc. ) for the United Nations has changed
annually, for example, in the year 1980 the
annual cost it was of $ 300 millions, but for
the year 1990 the annual cost rose up to $ 3
billions
The carry of weapons on the part of the civil
ones it has been carried out from epochs
like the civil armed conflict, for example in
the United States, during and after the civil
armed conflict it was completely authorized
and normal to carry firearms in public
In 2007, it was estimated that worldwide there
are about 875 million small arms distributed
amongst civilians, law enforcement agencies,
and armed forces. Of these firearms 650
million are held by civilians. Law enforcement
agencies have some 26 million small arms.
Non-state armed groups have about 1.4
million firearms. Finally, gang members hold
between 2 and 10 million small arms.
A previous study, drawn up in 2003 by Small
Arms Survey showed that overall, 25 percent
of these weapons belonged to the police,
the army and other government agencies.
The remaining arsenal, about 75 percent of
weapons worldwide are in civilian hands,
which makes the problem of small arms
have difficult solution. Armed violence
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is strongly related to male identity, and
possession of arms is associated with virility
and masculinity.
Current Relevance
*Information after 2010 Strategic thinking has
been the purview of European diplomats
at least since the Congress of Vienna.
Metternich, Talleyrand, Bismarck, Czar
Alexander, or Castlereagh, would all agree
that the national strategy of any country is
built upon three variables. First, what are the
“ends” of strategy or the goals each nation
is trying to accomplish alone or in concert
with friends and allies? Second, what are
the “ways” or policies that are formulated in
order to move the nation in the direction of
a better future? Finally, what are the “means”
or resources available to the government of
any nation that can be devoted to securing
these objectives, and how can they be
husbanded in a fashion to maximize their
potential?
Consequently, contemporary American and
European policymakers would agree that
a clear connection exists between arms
control and each nation’s respective national
security strategy. Arms control is a tool
or “way” to accomplish national strategic
objectives or “ends.” It is important, therefore,
to consider the role of conventional arms
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control to both maintain and enhance
stability in Europe while understanding from
the onset that the security environment as
well as military technologies continues to
develop. As a result, arms control can never
be an “end” or objective of policy. Any arms
control agreement is neither good nor bad
when examined in isolation. Each treaty or
agreement only has value as a policy “way”
when there are underlying security concerns
that, if mitigated, might reduce the possibility
of conflict. This is why we do not see arms
control agreements being discussed or
promulgated between countries that have
friendly relations. It is also why we have
seen some agreements lapse when security
conditions changed.
*Include tragic events or situations in which
civils carrying conventional weapons are
involved
1st. December 14th 2012. Sandy Hook
Elementary School Shooting, Newtown,
Connecticut. Adam Lanza had 3 legally
purchased guns, he first killed his mother,
and then he went to the town school. As a
result there were 26 people dead, 20 children
between 6 and 7 years, and 6 adults. After
the massacre he killed himself.
2nd. September 16th 2013. Washington Navy
Yard Shooting, Washington D.C. Former
Navy, Aaron Alexis, shot 12 people causing
them the death. The chaos started just after
8am Police officers exchanged fire with
Mr. Alexis shot him to death. All victims are
believed as civilians. Three weapons were
found on Mr. Alexis: an AR-15 assault rifle, a
shotgun and a semiautomatic pistol.
*Actual international cases
In this agreement certain weapon is
restricted for the use of the civil, such
ones like explosives, incendiary weapon,
mines and others. For this way, to be able
to safeguard the integrity of the civil ones,
maintain the peace and the order in the
different communities.
-Data
-Consequences
UN Actions/National Actions
-Organisations involved:
*Explain briefly the measurements (protocols,
campaigns, etc) implemented by the UN,
how do they work, the results, include data
of the people affected/benefited by this,
*Add if there were any movements, strikes,
etc about this
*Relevant date
International Actions
*Explain
briefly
the
measurements
(protocols, campaigns, etc) implemented
by different international organisms to
handle this problem, how do they work, the
results, include data of the people affected/
benefited by this, etc.
Convention on Certain Conventional
Weapons of 1980, its Protocols I to IV (through
amended Article 1) and Protocol V
etc.
More than any other category, conventional
weapons brought unspeakable suffering to
millions of people, the Committee was told.
Calling those weapons “without doubt the
world’s biggest killers”, the representative of
Australia welcomed the adoption of the Arms
Trade Treaty as near-universal recognition of
the need to better regulate the arms trade.
The Treaty reflected considerable progress
and brought hope to individuals and
societies most affected by the uncontrolled
spread. The Treaty was especially welcome
in the context of the “slow-moving” field
of disarmament, where gains were “hard
fought and hard won”.
-ARGENTINA:
The
Argentine
Republic
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governed “The national weapons and
explosives law”. The authority for the
application is the Register of National
Weapons, dependent on the Ministry of
Justice, Security and Human Rights.
-CANADA:
This
country
does not mention totally the right of
bearing weapons, however the right of the
civilians to their own security can be
considered as an implicit recognition.
In the practice Canada has very flexible
laws about weapons as The United
States of America, but at the same time
there is an intense debate about its
control.
-SPAIN: In the article 149.26 The
Spanish
Constitution
declares
that
the
Spanish
State
“has
exclusive jurisdiction over the production,
sale, possession and use of weapons
and explosives” The situation in other
states in developed countries is similar and
is under discussion.
-USA:
The
second
amendment to the United States of
America Constitution collected the right of
possession weapons as in the next quote
says: “A well-regulated militia being
necessary to the security of a free State,
the right of the People to keep and
bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
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-MEXICO:
The
laws
of
weapons in Mexico are one of the
strictest all over the world, comparable in
many aspects to the laws of UK and
France, but with more severe penalties and
even for minor offenses, and more severe
restrictions referring to permitted calibers.
The Constitution of 1857 provides the
right of possession and carrying of
weapons, passing the Constitution of
1917, with significant changes but adds
two limitations: the weapons prohibited
by the State or reserved for the army,
and carrying weapons in public places
illegally.
-SOUTH
KOREA:
punishable by up to ten years in prison
for anyone who possesses or uses
firearms.
-COLOMBIA:
From
February 1, 2016 until December 31,
2016 the carrying of weapons and are
allowed throughout the national territory
is
prohibited,
allowing
possession
and carrying of firearms after going
through psychological and physical checks,
including others. {Decree 0155 of 02.01.2016,
the Ministry of Defense}
-CHILE:
allows
possession of weapons in its Constitution,
supported
by
the
law
quorum
qualified 17.798 of arms control and
its
complementary
regulations,
and
classifies the weapons by its use
(Hunting, sport, defense and collection).
This law is restricted to people who
have never been involved in criminal
activity with known address, and that they
are in suitable mental conditions.
-JAPAN:
Gun
laws
in
Japan begin stating: “No one shall
possess a firearm or firearms or a
sword or swords,” and very few
exceptions are granted. Gun ownership is
minuscule, like gun crimes.
countries
International measures taken to prevent
the negative consequences of the use of
conventional weapons
Eliminate the illicit conventional weapons
traffic by giving proposals
International treaties that actually regulate the
use and transport of conventional weapons
Discussing how the technology has affected
this problem and how it can be use in a
positive way
Define and regulate the terms of use
Basic Facts of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT):
States Parties: 81
Ratifications: 83
*These are the key points for the discussion
so if you have suggestions to replace,
remove or add points please tell to me so
we can discuss it.
Accessions: 2
Signatories: 130
Bullet points to be tackled
Establishment of consequences for crimes
with conventional weapons
How the world would be affected by this
approve of this policy?
Policies already applied in developed
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References
http://www.crmvet.org/nars/sims65.htm this link is an interview made to Charles Sims, the webpage also has
background information that you can use, is not recent so put it in Historical Background, it can also help you to
know different postures about this problem, but remember the backgroung is completely objective
http://www.un.org/en/ga/first/index.shtml this is the link to the DISEC official website it does not contain a lot of
information about this topic in the committee part but you can use it to see the news and find something related
http://www.opencarry.org this information is mainly about United States but you can add it in UN Actions/National
Actions of United States, it also contains information from the people that have lived situations with a weapon
http://www.wnd.com/2015/08/carrying-in-gun-free-zones-patriotic-civil-disobedience/ this link is interesting and
you could add as a Current Relevance situation
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/09/the-secret-history-of-guns/308608/
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