NFA Achieves ECOSOC Special Consultative Status with the UN

NFA President Sheldon Clare, speaking from Williams Lake, BC announced that “The NFA has achieved Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) special consultative status at the UN.”  Clare stated that, “This means that the NFA will have better access to the UN which it can use to fight for the rights of civilian Canadians to own and use firearms. According to the UN approval letter, Consultative status for an organization enables it to actively engage with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, as well as with the United Nations Secretariat, programmes, funds and agencies in a number of ways.”

The NFA is the only Canadian firearms rights advocacy organization to have achieved this status.

Clare continued, “The UN has persistently pursued unreasonable restrictions on civilian firearm use even while it has ignored abuses by its member states.  NFA presentations at the UN have sought to draw attention to this disparity and have vigorously defended civilian ownership and use of firearms. The Arms Trade Treaty, ISACS, and the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons are three UN sponsored initiatives that the NFA opposes strongly enough to take the step to accept the responsibility of ECOSOC status.  Many UN member states continue to push for more controls on firearms, including expensive and unnecessary marking schemes.  The NFA will now be better able to fight for the rights of Canadians in the international forum that the UN provides.”

Mr. Clare thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its support of the NFA in achieving this special consultative status.  “We have developed a strong relationship with Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs in sharing concerns and supporting our common interests at the UN.  Our track record there is an excellent one and we have gathered much respect from our allies and opponents alike for our clear and principled positions and presentations.”

Canada’s National Firearms Association is this country’s largest and most effective advocacy organization representing the interests of firearms owners and users.

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For more information contact:

Blair Hagen, Executive VP Communications
604-753-8682 – [email]Blair@nfa.ca[/email]

Sheldon Clare, President
250-981-1841 – [email]Sheldon@nfa.ca[/email]

Canada’s NFA toll-free number: 1-877-818-0393
NFA Website: www.nfa.ca