Remarks by Jordan Paust

Abstract

I have been asked to comment on the use of weapons in time of war or armed violence and to present some of the military viewpoints on the need for a continuation of the present efforts to regulate the use of weapons through general guiding principles rather than through a ban on specific weapons or a list theory. Why, it has been asked, is there some military opposition to the ban of specific weapons? I would like to make it clear that questions of weapons use are handled in a different manner than questions of weapons banishment and it is postulated that this is a key to the military viewpoint. I would also like to make it clear that the following views are my own and not necessarily those of the military profession or the U.S. Government.