An
association of the world's leading firearm companies and international
shooting sports groups is close to being officially recognized by the
United Nations as a Non Government Organization (NGO), a status that will
allow the gun group to become more actively involved, and be more
effective, in countering global gun control efforts. The World Forum on
the Future of Sport Shooting Activities (WFSA), comprised of major
European sporting arms producers, leading American gun companies, as well
as the NSSF, SAAMI, the NRA and a number of foreign shooting sports groups
sought official NGO status to allow the group to attend UN conferences and
to testify before hearings that affect the firearm community. A recent
meeting of the UN's NGO Committee in New York recommended the group for
NGO listing. There was no dissent in the decision from the 19 member
countries sitting on the committee. Final approval could come this May
when the Economic and Social Council of the UN meets to consider the
recommendation. Over the years, the UN has become increasingly involved in
issues dealing with the manufacturing, marketing and private ownership of
firearms, with several key countries, mainly Canada and Japan, leading
efforts to severely curtail the legitimate trade in firearms. They have
been spurred on by a host of powerful international lobbying groups and
anti-gun NGOs that seek to end the ability of individuals around the world
to possess firearms for sporting and other lawful purposes.