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Impact of U.N. Treaty Debated in Tennessee

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT)  --  Tennessee’s Senate delegation is expressing concern about a proposed United Nations treaty being debated this week in New York.

The proposed treaty would seek to regulate the sale and transfer of arms between nations. The treaty is intended to reign in the sale of the weapons that fuel armed conflicts worldwide.

Tennessee Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander have both announced their opposition to the treaty. Alexander expressed his concerns in a recently posted YouTube video.

“We’re telling President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton of our grave concerns about the proposed United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. I’m opposed to any United Nations action that could undermine the second amendment, or any of our constitutional rights for that matter. I’m opposed to any action that could threaten our sovereignty.”

Dr. Geoff Tunnicliffe leads the World Evangelical Alliance. He notes that the treaty doesn't seek to regulate domestic arms sales. He also says that for the churches he represents, this is not a theoretical discussion.

“Our hospitals have taken care of the wounded, our churches have served as counseling centers for those who have been impacted traumatically by the impact of violence and fighting, we’ve worked with child soldiers trying to rehabilitate them, and on and on I could go about the impact of illegal arms.”

Treaty negotiations end Friday. The proposal is not expected to come up for a vote in the U.N. anytime soon.