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WFSA News and Information



The World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activities

Legislative Committee

Objectives:

The WFSA is anchored in the belief that the best regulations are those reached through open dialogue that respects cultural diversity and draws upon the best wisdom and analyses of those directly affected to achieve consensus on common objectives.

It is the responsibility of this Sub-Committee to monitor and evaluate regulations at all levels and disseminate communiqués to the membership, media and other interested parties.



2006 -- The WFSA at the United Nations

UN Meeting

The United Nations Conference to Review Progress Made in the Implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects

At the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, USA, from June 26 to July 7 2006, the Small Arms Review Conference was held.

The conference, chaired by President-designate H.E. Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in New York, brings governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society representatives in national delegations.

The WFSA is an NGO in Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Representatives from South Africa, Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy attended the meeting.

The WFSA is an NGO in Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Statement to meeting by WFSA President Dott. Carlo Peroni.

Statement to meeting by Mr. C. Edward Rowe, Chairman WFSA Manufacturers' Advisory Group.

Statement to meeting by Mr. David Penn, The British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC) -- member of WFSA.

Statement to meeting by Mr. Tony Bernardo, Canadian Institute for Legislative Action (CILA) -- member of WFSA.

Statement to meeting by Mr. Hermann Suter, PROTELL -- member of WFSA.

Statement by Mr. Bruce Shaw, South African Gunowners Association (SAGA) -- member of WFSA.

Statement to meeting by Professor Gary Mauser, National Firearms Association (NFA) -- member of WFSA.

Statement by Mr. Thomas Mason, Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufactures' Institute (SAAMI) -- member of WFSA.

Statement to meeting by Mr. Richard Parsons, Safari Club International (SCI) -- member of WFSA.

Statement to meeting by Mr. Mark Barnes of FAIR Trade Group -- member of WFSA.

UN website this site includes the meeting summary, statements made at the meeting by governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil societies

Link to Video webcast of UN Conference



UN Meeting
United Nations Meeting on Small Arms

July 2005 - Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms

WFSA Participation

At the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, USA, from July 11 to 15, 2005, the Second Biennial Meeting of States was held to review the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.

The conference, chaired by Ambassador Patokallio of Finland, brought together governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society representatives in national delegations. The WFSA is an NGO in Roster Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. Representatives from the United States, Germany and Italy attended the meeting.

Statement to Meeting by WFSA President Carlo Peroni.

Statement to meeting by Thomas Mason, WFSA Secretariat.

Statement to meeting by Ted Rowe, Chairman WFSA Manufacturers' Advisory Group.

Statement by Rick Patterson, President of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Association, -- member of WFSA.

Statement to meeting by Sezaneh Seymour, Safari Club International -- member of WFSA.

Statement to meeting by Mark Barnes of FAIR Trade -- member of WFSA.

UN Website Biennial Meeting of States This site includes the meeting summary, statements made at the meeting by governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil societies

Government reports 2005 This website includes reports from each country on their implementation of the PoA. These reports are submitted on a voluntary basis, by member nations.



The WFSA Working on Firearm Issues

A Question of Balance

The WFSA Symposium: A Question of Balance

World Experts Discuss Firearms Issues

On May 2-3, 2003, the WFSA sponsored a conference in England, at the Tower of London, entitled The Legal, Economic and Human Rights Implications of Civilian Firearms Ownership and Regulation.

There were over eight hours of presentations at this landmark symposium. Distilled from that program is the DVD, "A Question of Balance", which is 56 minutes long and includes numerous graphics, video footage and photos, as well as a special 13-minute overview of major topics covered.

A Question of Balance. Click to view the video trailer

Speakers cover important issues including: the futility of gun registration as a deterrent against crime, the popularity of shooting in Switzerland, gun ownership as a protection from genocide, women and firearms, the importance of shooting sports as a form of recreation, and advice from the firearms industry on how to regulate trade.

The DVD is extremely informative and appropriate for libraries and schools, as well as for giving to decision-makers.



Programs

Marking - Creating a universal system of firearms marking has become a focal point of several continuing international policy initiatives. In response the WFSA UN Sub-Committee is facilitating efforts of the firearms manufacturing community, and others, to present their version of what a workable universal making system might be. A Working Group has been appointed and numerous contacts have been made with the international community. As part of this process, the Sub-Committee has arranged for educational visits by national officials, working with the UN, to manufacturing facilities to see firsthand the current operating standard procedures.

Definitions: The various international initiatives on small arms and firearms are in serious need of agreed definitions relating to the various categories of arms. Terms need to be precise and comprehensive, yet neutral in their effect, so that it is clear to all concerned in this area that the particular firearm category under discussion is understood by all. To this end the Sub-Committee, in consultation with all parties concerned, has done considerable work in the area of ensuring that for the international discussion of small arms there are workable and appropriate definitions.

Antiques: The definition of antique firearms is a topic under discussion by the international community in an attempt to formulate possible instruments. The firearms community, through the WFSA UN Sub-Committee, again seeks to be of assistance by presenting a definition promulgated by the joint efforts of firearms collecting associations throughout the world.

Identification of Firearms: The WFSA UN Sub-Committee is seeking to be of assistance to international agencies in the development of any new proposed firearm identification systems. The WFSA believes that collectors may have already developed identification systems which will be especially useful for these agencies.


Documents

These documents are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open them.




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