RALEIGH, N.C- The Campbell Law School Federalist Society hosted former Congressman Bob Barr at the Raleigh campus on September 23. Barr’s presentation focused on, “Does the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty Put Freedom in the Crosshairs?” Mr. Barr, the 2008 Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate, former Congressman, practicing attorney, and professor of Constitutional Law spoke on many issues involved with the United Nations attempt to regulate American’s ability to carry firearms. He began his speech stating, “Part of the problem with the U.N. is that they involve themselves in many things that they have no business being involved in and that are not within their mission as a forum for world peace.”
Mr. Barr emphasized that the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is a fundamental human right to bear arms, not a right that is given to people by the government, but rather a fundamental right protected by the U.S. Constitution. “It is for that reason,” said Mr. Barr, “that the United Nations should not be involved and able to infringe on the rights of the people protected by our Constitution.” He then stressed how the United Nations does not believe that individuals have a right to defend themselves. There is a huge disconnect between ideologies because the United Nations believes that the right to defense lies solely with the government whereas America’s foundation is built on protecting the fundamental rights of the people including the right of individuals to protect themselves.
Mr. Barr concluded his presentation by stressing the importance of the topic. “There are too few folks paying attention to the U.N. agenda and what is going on and even fewer in the American public that know about it. Therefore it is difficult to get the people in Washington to pay attention to this real issue and problem. But once a treaty is on the books, it stays there in perpetuity.”
After his remarks, students asked questions on topics ranging from, “whether there would be any reason for anyone to think the U.N could be neutral and look objectively at their attempt to regulate firearms,” to “whether a new assault weapons ban should be formed and how the legislation necessary would take place.”
About the Campbell Law School Federalist Society: The Federalist Society is a non-partisan organization dedicated to the core beliefs of the Founding Fathers – the state exists to preserve freedom, the separation of governmental powers is central to our Constitution, and it is the providence and duty of the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should be — that seeks to both promote awareness of these beliefs and to further their application through its activities. Events include debates, guest speakers and a trip to the Supreme Court.
About Campbell Law School: Since its founding in 1976, the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. The School has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation’s top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation’s best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts more than 3,200 alumni, including 2,200 who reside and work in North Carolina. For 22 years, Campbell Law’s record of success on the North Carolina Bar Exam has been unsurpassed by any other North Carolina law school. Located less than two blocks from the North Carolina state Capitol building in downtown Raleigh, Campbell Law School offers a rigorous and highly relevant program of legal education. For more information, visit law.campbell.edu.
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