UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United States, the world's largest arms dealer, has joined 106 other nations in signing a treaty that regulates global arms trading, but there is strong resistance in the Senate, which must ratify it.
Secretary of State John Kerry, who signed the Arms Trade Treaty on Wednesday, said it was a "significant step" in keeping the world safe and preventing terrorists and others from obtaining conventional weapons.
The Obama administration's move is seen as critical to the treaty's success. The U.S. was the 91st country to sign, but the treaty will not take effect until 50 nations have ratified it. Only six had ratified the treaty as of Wednesday.
Many of the world's other top arms exporters have yet to sign and opposition in the Senate, backed by the powerful National Rifle Association, means U.S. ratification will be difficult. A two-thirds majority in the 100-member Senate, where Democrats now hold a slight edge, is needed to ratify a treaty.
"This is about reducing the risks of international transfers of conventional arms that will be used to carry out the world's worst crimes," Kerry said.
He said it would require other countries to put in place the same arms export restrictions that the United States already has in force.
"This is about keeping Americans safe and keeping America strong, and this is about promoting international peace and global security," he said.
Addressing U.S. critics of the treaty, the former senator said fears that it would undermine Americans' constitutional right to keep and bear arms are not grounded in reality.
The treaty does not regulate domestic weapons sales.
"This treaty will not diminish anyone's freedom," he said. "It recognizes the freedom of both individuals and states to obtain, possess, and use arms for legitimate purposes."