Stop Illegal Arms to Haiti

Webinar

Join the Quixote Center and 30+ other peace and justice organizations and religious communities who are raising their voices to say "the illegal flow of weapons into the hands of Haitian gangs MUST STOP." Join us as we talk to UN and Congressional leadership about ending this travesty.

Webinar will feature Congresswoman Chirfilus-McCormick and UN expert William O'Neil.

Live interpretation will be provided between English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. 

Take Action to Stop Arms Trafficking

in Haiti and Latin America

Haiti is facing one of its most challenging periods in recent history. Armed gangs control much of the country's infrastructure, kidnappings and murders are now commonplace, and nearly five million people face food insecurity. While many are hopeful for the success of the Kenya-led MSS mission, this intervention will not address the root causes to today's insecurity. 

Guns and ammunition are not manufactured in Haiti. Armed groups purchase guns and ammunition flowing into Haiti, primarily from the United States. Weak gun laws in several U.S. states, combined with insufficient national investment in the prevention of weapons smuggling through the port of Miami, enable it. Weapons in the hands of armed groups is a root cause of insecurity, not just in Haiti but throughout the Americas, and this in turn causes the increased irregular migration at our borders.  

In our collective effort to build safe and prosperous communities at home and abroad, we drafted letters to ask that congress and the White House support the following bills which have all been introduced: 

• HR6618 - The ARMAS Act (Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales Act), which would transfer small arms authority from the Department of Commerce back to the Department of State to ensure greater accountability and transparency in granting export licenses, and would mandate a comprehensive federal strategy to disrupt arms trafficking, restore Congressional oversight over small arms exports, and prevent legitimate security assistance from being diverted to criminal groups.   
• HR 7799 and S4067 - Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm Act, to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act by requiring the Coordinator for Caribbean Firearms Prosecutions to report to Congress on:

1. 1. The number, destination, and method of transportation of firearms, ammunition, and firearms accessories;  
   2. Coordination efforts with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies;  
   3. Coordination efforts with the Department of Justice and any regional or international organizations, such as CARICOM.

• HR 8427 and S2826 - Stop Arming Cartels Act, which would regulate .50 caliber rifles under the National Firearms Act, and create a legal framework that mitigates loopholes and increases accountability for gun manufacturers and firearms dealers. 
• S396 - Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act, to identify and hold accountable those who are financing Haiti's gangs, especially those with assets in the U.S. A companion House bill has already passed. We encourage you to contact the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to ensure that this Bill is sent to the Senate for a full vote. 

The letter to the White House encourages the President of the United Sates to use the power of his office to take administrative measures that would improve enforcement and implement some of issues addressed in these bills without waiting for them to become law. 

You can help. Please join us in this effort to push congress to make sure these bills get passed and signed. All you have to do is click on the Take Action button, share your location and send our prepared letters to the House, Senate and the White House.