The wheels are in motion on a United Nations treaty that will significant impede weapons from pouring into war zones around the globe. This is a sorely needed pact that will hopefully mean a reduction in the hundreds of people around the world who die daily as a result of armed conflict.

More than $55 billion is generated annually from arms sales, which makes funneling illegal weapons into global hot spots a profitable activity. But it is definitely not an ethical one. Easier access to weapons in these areas has only served to fuel wars, genocides and atrocities.

After debating the issue for countless years, the U.N. General Assembly voted to begin working on a treaty last October. The U.N. is now in preparation sessions and is scheduled to formalize a treaty in 2012 that would regulate the flow of weapons by setting a common international standard for arms sales to replace the current patchwork of national laws that vary from one nation to another.

Predictably, the measure has met opposition in places like Russia, China, Pakistan and India. Such opposition is predictable given that each country is a major arms seller. The hope here is that the U.N. will not cave into opposition from a select few countries, but will be wise enough to do what is best for everyone.

Here in the United States, we should resolve to support any treaty that regulates the arms trade and reduces the flow of illegal weapons into other countries. Stronger international laws on weapons will only help us in our efforts to curb terrorism at home and abroad. Gun control is not always a popular issue for conservatives in this country, but few of them can truly dispute with stronger weapons laws meant to end war and bloodshed if they look at the issue with an open mind.

Anything that can promote peace and harmony on a global scale is a pursuit that fits in with every Green Party ideal and will earn its complete support.