This vote was on an amendment by David Vitter, R-La., that would prohibit funds from going to any organization that requires U.S. citizens to register a gun, or imposes a tax on gun ownership.  Though Vitter’s amendment would apply broadly, it is intended to target the United Nations, which Vitter said has a long-running and ongoing effort at international gun control.  The amendment was offered to the bill that funds the State Department and foreign operations in fiscal 2008.

“Many folks who haven’t followed the proceedings on this in the U.N. may ask: What is this all about? Why is this necessary? Unfortunately, it is about an effort in the United Nations to bring gun control to various countries through that international organization. Unfortunately, that has been an ongoing effort which poses a real threat,” Vitter said. “If other folks in this Chamber think that is not happening, that it is never going to happen, my reply is simple and straightforward: Great, then this language has no effect. It is no harm to pass it as a failsafe. It has no impact. But, in fact, related efforts have been going on in the U.N. since at least 1995.”

No one rose to speak against Vitter’s amendment.  By a vote of 81-10, the amendment was adopted.  Every Republican present voted for the amendment.  Of Democrats present, 32 voted for the amendment and 10 voted against it, including the most progressive members.  The end result was that the measure went forward with language prohibiting U.S. funds from going to any organization that requires U.S. citizens to register a gun or that taxes gun ownership.