Trick or Treaty

By Glen Wunderlich
Outdoor Columnist
Member Professional Outdoor Media Association

When overreaching governmental entities threaten Second Amendment rights, The National Rifle Association (NRA) has a way of reigning in power grabs. No matter how willful the opposition is to fundamental rights, the NRA is strong enough to fight back on any level. Most times, I applaud its efforts, but this time I am concerned that it may be crying wolf.

In the February issue of American Rifleman (its official journal), Executive Vice President, Wayne LaPierre, lays out an ominous scenario of global gun control by the United Nations (U.N.) in a piece titled “The First Step in Trampling Our Rights.” He points out how past U.N. representative, John Bolton, firmly opposed any transfer of rights in the name of global civil disarmament, which would, in effect, abrogate the Americans’ constitutional right to bear arms. Good for him. But, Hillary Clinton is “our girl” (her words) now and supports international control of the firearms and ammunition trade. In an official U.N. report by the George Soros funded International Action Network on Small Arms written by American Professor, Barbara Frey, she states, “Self-defense is sometimes designated as a right. There is inadequate legal support for such an interpretation…” in her assessment of international law.

However, as a sovereign nation, we Americans have rights that by definition are above all others and no treaty can, or will ever, change that. Here’s why: Hillary Clinton has no authority to enter into an international treaty; only the President has this power, but Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution authorizes the President “by and with the advice and consent of the Senate…provided two thirds of the Senators present concur.” Good luck with that one, Hill. But, let’s say it happened.

Under Article VI, paragraph 2 requires “…all Treaties made…under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby…” Scared yet? Don’t be.

The President has sworn to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. All Federal and State officers have done the same. However, the U.S. Constitution does not provide any authority for the U.S. to be subject to or bound by any “mandate” that abrogates rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Therefore, no treaty has the ability to supersede, and thus violate, any provision in the Constitution and would therefore be pronounced null and void.

There’s one final issue: We the people. No snake oil sales force will ever overcome the will of the people of these United States. And, The Second Amendment – the one right that guarantees all others – will come into play. And, if Ms. Clinton or any of her ilk don’ t believe it, just back us Americans up to the wall.

So, Mr. LaPierre, with all due respect, I’m not scared enough to check if the sky is falling. Heck, I’m not scared at all.