President Obama’s comments on gun violence come as he faces pressure to back a robust global arms treaty before a Friday deadline. All 193 members of the U.N. General Assembly are scrambling to complete the first-ever global agreement regulating the arms trade. The United States is by far the world’s largest producer, importer and exporter of armaments. The Obama administration has demanded a number of exemptions from the new proposals, citing so-called “national security interests.” Brian Wood, the head of Arms Control at Amnesty International, said President Obama holds the key to determining whether the treaty will be effective.

Brian Wood: “It’s still hanging in the balance. The decision is in the White House with President Obama as to whether he will agree a 'golden rule' in the treaty that will mandate governments to stop the transfer of arms if it’s known or there’s a substantial risk the arms are going to be used for war crimes or crimes against humanity, acts of genocide, or serious violations of human rights.”