Royal Internal Congress

Colegio Real de Panam

Security Council
The Creation of an
Universal Gun Control
Treaty
Ana Carolina Mejia
Chair
Michelle Urriola
Co-Chair
July 31st & August 1st, 2014

Dear delegates,
Welcome to the United Nations Security Council! My name is Ana
Carolina Mejia; Im a senior at Colegio Real de Panam. Ive been
attending Model United Nations debates since I was in the sixth
grade, first as an observer and subsequently as a delegate. Ive
attended the Altamira International School Model United Nations
in 2009 and 2010, the Democratic Student Congress and
PANAMUN XXI in 2013; I have attended youth forums, I
participated in the Pensando en Colombia Forum for the Youth
in both 2008 and 2009 and leadership programs such as those
offered by the National Hispanic Institute. I attended The Great
Debate in 2011, Celebracin 2011 and the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth
Legislative Session in 2012, where I was elected as senator, this
year I served as staff at the LDZ. This is my second year chairing
this committee and I truly hope this experience is as enriching for
you as it is for me.
My name is Michelle Urriola, Im in 11th grade and its my pleasure
to be your co-chair in the Royal Internal Congress this year. I have
been in the debate club since it was created and I have participated
in several debates. I participated in the National Congress for
Excellence in 2011, National Hispanic Institutes Great Debate in
2012 and Lorenzo de Zavala in 2013. Last year, I participated in
the Royal Internal Congress. I only expect the best from in order to
have an excellent debate. If you have any doubt you can send me
an email.
It is an honor for us to preside over the United Nations Security
Council this year. We will use our full capacities and will engage
utterly and completely for this committee to be a zone in which
clever arguments, vast knowledge and ominous respect reign upon
all delegates. It will be our duty to make this involvement as
enriching and fulfilling as any event that challenges your wits can
be. We welcome you to the Royal Internal Congress experience. Do
not hesitate or doubt to ask any questions. We are at your
disposal.

Sincerely,
Ana Carolina Mejia
anacaromf@gmail.com
Chair

Michelle Urriola
michiu1698@gmail.com
Co-Chair

Introduction to the United Nations

51 countries that were committed to preserving peace through international
cooperation and collective security established the United Nations on 24
October 1945. Today, nearly every nation in the world belongs to the UN:
membership totals 193 countries. When States become Members of the
United Nations, they agree to accept the obligations of the UN Charter, an
international treaty that sets out basic principles of international relations.
According to the Charter, the UN has four purposes:
To maintain international peace and security;
To develop friendly relations among nations;
To cooperate in solving international problems and in promoting respect for
human rights
To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations.

Introduction to the Security Council

The UN Charter established six main organs of the United Nations, including
the Security Council. It gives primary responsibility for maintaining
international peace and security to the Security Council, which may meet
whenever peace is threatened. Under the Charter, all Member States are
obligated to comply with Council decisions.
The Council is made up of 15 members. Five of them are permanent
members: China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and United
States. The other 10 are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
Member States are considering changes in the composition and methods of
work of the Council so that it better reflects current political and economic
realities.
Under the Charter, the functions and powers of the Security Council are:
To maintain international peace and security in accordance with the
principles and purposes of the United Nations.
To investigate any dispute or situation that might lead to international
friction.
To recommend methods for adjusting such disputes or the terms of
settlement.
To formulate plans for the establishment of a system to regulate
armaments;
To determine the existence of a threat to peace or act of aggression and to
recommend what action should be taken.
To call on Members to apply economic sanctions and other measures not
involving the use of force to prevent or stop aggression.
To take military action against an aggressor.

Topic A: Gun Control Legislation

Background information
Gun controls are regulations or guidelines that standardize the assembly, sale,
transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms. They vary prominently
around the globe. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, have very
stern limits on gun possession while others, like the United States, have,
compared to most industrial democracies, relatively few and weak restrictions
(although policies vary from state to state).
Proponents of gun control generally argue the dangers of widespread gun
ownership. Opponents argue that gun control does not reduce gun-related
injuries, murder, or suicide, and some argue that certain regulations may
violate individual liberties.
Opponents of any kind of gun restrictions argue that they are meaningless,
since criminals by definition don't follow the law, and therefore won't allow
gun laws to hamstring their criminal behavior. That's true. But gun violence
isn't only committed by classic criminals, as recent gun-related tragedies
show.
Most violent crimes are committed with guns. It would stand to reason then,
that restricting gun ownership would likely reduce the number of such crimes.
Individuals with mental illness, kids bullied at school, a person that feels
dejected, and other disgruntled persons can inflict mass casualties with guns
that otherwise would not be possible.

What is the UN doing?

The United Nations Charter binds nations to uphold international peace and
security, and to jointly prevent and remove threats to peace. To limit the
proliferation of illicit firearms, the nearly-200 Member States of the United
Nations have decided to implement a range of measures to 'prevent, combat
and eradicate' the harmful effects of small arms and light weapons around the
world. These include the UN Firearms Protocol, the UN small arms
Programme of Action, the UN Register of Conventional Weapons, and the UN
Arms Trade Treaty.
UN Small Arms Programme Of Action
By consensus between states in 2001, the UN small arms Programme of
Action (UNPoA), placed a politically, but not a legally binding commitment on
national governments to implement the measures agreed upon, and to provide
the UN with periodic national reports on their progress. These commitments
have been summarized as: 'regulating small arms transfers and brokering
activities; criminalizing the illegal manufacture, possession, stockpiling and
trade of small arms and light weapons; ensuring that weapons be marked and
registered; enforcing arms embargoes; destroying surplus and confiscated
weapons; raising public awareness; and implementing disarmament,
demobilization and reintegration programs.'

UN Arms Trade Treaty

In 2009, 151 UN Member States voted to begin negotiations towards a legally
binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). If it eventuates, an ATT could establish
common international standards for the import, export and transfer of all
types of conventional arms, including small arms.

Gun Owners per Capita

The United States had the highest rate of civilian gun ownership, at almost 90
guns per 100 people. The next two countries on the list were Switzerland and
Finland, with about 45 guns per 100 people. Japan, the Netherlands and the
United Kingdom had the lowest gun numbers, ranging from less than one gun
per 100 in Japan to six in the U.K.
The countries with more civilian guns also had the highest rates of firearms
deaths, with the United States leading the list at 10 deaths per 100,000, based
on an international mortality database. Gun ownership was strongly associated
with firearms deaths. The only outlier was South Africa, which had 13 guns per
100 people, but a firearms death rate almost as high as in the U.S.
Mental illness also correlated with firearms deaths, but the connection was
much weaker than for gun ownership. The association pretty much disappeared
depending on how the researchers crunched the numbers. There was no overall
association between gun ownership or mental illness and the overall crime rate
in the 27 countries. The researchers say this questions the premise that people
arm themselves to protect themselves from crime. This study, like earlier ones,
finds a correlation but no direct cause. The findings can't prove that gun
ownership or mental illnesses are causing the deaths.

Examples of Gun Legislation

In the United Kingdom law does not guarantee the right to private gun
ownership. Civilians are not allowed to possess semi-automatic and automatic
firearms, handguns and armor piercing ammunition and the private
possession of them is prohibited. Applicants for a gun owners license in the
United Kingdom are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm,
for example hunting, target shooting or collection. The minimum age for gun
ownership in the United Kingdom is 14 years for license, 17 years for
purchase, and 21 years to purchase shotguns. An applicant for a firearm
license in the United Kingdom must pass a background check that considers
criminal, mental and addiction records and they must re-apply and re-qualify
for their firearm license every five years. Authorities maintain a record of
individual civilians licensed to acquire, possess, sell or transfer a firearm or
ammunition.
The federal, state, and local authorities regulate guns in the United States. The
US Constitution, as limited by federal law, conditionally guarantees the right
to private gun ownership. In the United States, civilians are not allowed to
possess machine-guns, sawn-off shotguns and rifles, silencers, and armor-

piercing ammunition without appropriate registration; private possession of

fully automatic weapons is permitted subject to federal licensing and
registration. In the United States, private possession of semi-automatic
assault weapons, handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted without a
license in almost all jurisdictions. The buyer of a firearm in a private sale in
the United States is not obliged to pass official background checks before
taking possession. In the United States, the private sale and transfer of
firearms is permitted but dealing in firearms by way of business without a
valid gun dealers license is unlawful. In the United States, carrying a firearm
in plain view in a public place is allowed with or without a permit depending
on the jurisdiction, and prohibited in others. Private guns are prohibited in
federal facilities, schools and National Parks (unless otherwise specifically
permitted). In the United States, the maximum penalty for unlawful
possession of a firearm is 10 years prison.
In Switzerland, law does not guarantee the right to private gun ownership.
Civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, some automatic
firearms converted into semi-automatic firearms, incendiary or armorpiercing ammunition, and expansive projectiles for handguns. The private
possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited. The minimum age for
gun ownership in Switzerland is 18 years. The private possession of semiautomatic assault weapons and handguns is permitted under license. In
Switzerland, some 'manual repetition rifles' for sport and hunting may be
owned without a license, but in other cases only licensed gun owners may
lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition. Applicants for a
gun owners license are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm,
for example, hunting, target shooting, self-defense, and collection. In
Switzerland, carrying a firearm in plain view in a public place is allowed, often
subject to a valid license, depending on the type of firearm. The maximum
penalty for unlawful possession of a firearm is up to 3 years prison.

This years mission

The purpose of this years Security Council meeting is to create a universal
legislation, one that all members of the international community share, in
order to take a leap into the peace direction. This is a controversial and radical
measure because as some may argue this threatens the countrys rights of full
sovereignty but thats why we are meeting so we can all take part on it so that
if the member countries sign on the non-members will want in on it too.

Prepare Yourselves
This issue bulletin is the first step in your preparation for this committee.
Nonetheless, additional research and brainstorming is highly suggested. It is up
to every member of this council the success or failure of this committee. No
committee, even if its the most renowned one, can succeed without delegates
that are fully and properly prepared and motivated to excel.
For a satisfactory development in every committee, its strongly recommended
that each delegate knows enough about their country and topic in order to be
able to identify the main issues during the debate and propose viable solutions.
You can start by answering the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What is the main issue? How does it affect your country?

What has your country done to solve the issue?
What are the various sides in the debate?
Which aspects of the issue are most important to your country?
How will your country attempt to shape the debate at the conference?
What are the key issues that your country will try to address and find
solutions in the committee?
6. What arguments will other countries have?
Important Webpages
1. Look up your countrys permanent mission to the UN.
http://www.un.int/wcm/content/site/portal/lang/en/home/websites
2. Find your countrys voting records and read speeches on the United Nations
Bibliographic System Website. http://unbisnet.un.org
3. Look at the CIA World Factbook for a general overview on your country, and
for figures and statistics as well.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
4. Check the NEWS. (Websites, TV, Newspapers)
5. Read the US State Department report on your country. http://www.state.gov
6. Security Council Tips
a. http://bestdelegate.com/five-tips-on-how-to-succeed-in-the-securitycouncil/
b. http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-toparticipate/model-un-preparation/resolutions

Works Cited
Milligan, Susan. "We Need Guns To Stop More Than Criminals." US News.
U.S.News & World Report, n.d. Web. 30 June 2014.
<http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/susanmilligan/2014/01/16/we-need-gun-control-to-stop-more-thancriminals>.
"Pros & Cons Gun Laws." Stand Up Speak Now. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 July 2014.
<http://standupspeakoutnow.com/pros-and-cons-gun-control-proand-con/112-gun-control-pro-and-con>.
Shute, Nancy. "Around The World, Gun Ownership And Firearms Deaths Go
Together." NPR. NPR, n.d. Web. 2 July 2014.
<http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/09/17/223508595/aroundthe-world-gun-ownership-and-firearms-deaths-go-together>.
"Why gun owners fear the United Nations." The Week. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 July
2014.

<http://theweek.com/article/index/250210/why-gun-owners-fear-the-

united-nations>.