U.S. House rejects sale of semi-automatic weapons to Turkey
The House of Representatives on Friday passed the National Defense Authorization Act, with an amendment banning the sale of semi-automatic handguns and ammunition to the Turkish government, introduced by Michigan Republican Dave Trott, according to Asbarez report.
“I am proud my colleagues from both sides of the aisle have come together to declare Turkey will no longer compromise our democratic values,” said Trott after the passage of the NDAA, as quoted by the source.
The Trott Amendment opposes the $1.2 million sale of U.S. semi-automatic handguns to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s security detail, in response to their May 16th attack on peaceful protesters in Washington, DC.
“Over the past few months, we’ve witnessed our NATO allies take extraordinary steps against Turkey, and it’s time for the State Department to do the same. We need to block this arms sale and once and for all point a finger in Erdogan’s chest and tell him that a strategic location does not place Turkey above the law,” said Trott.
“Just two months ago, Erdogan’s henchmen, with him complacently observing just feet away, launched a brutal attack on peaceful protestors exercising their first amendment rights. A notorious oppressor of basic human rights and freedom, Erdogan imported his callous attitudes to our nation’s capital. While Erdogan’s thugs may run unchecked in Ankara, this is the United States of America and this is totally unacceptable,” added Trott.
On June 6th, with a vote of 397 to 0, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously condemned the violence that took place a month ago against protesters outside the Turkish embassy in Washington D.C. The House vote followed broad-based Congressional outrage expressed by over 100 Senate and House members through public statements, social media, and a series of Congressional letters.
On June 16th, US law enforcement issued 18 arrest warrants – including a dozen against Turkish President Recep Erdogan’s bodyguards – in connection to the May 16th attacks. Two Turkish-Americans have already been arrested for assault, and two Turkish Canadians have also been charged. During a June 15th press conference, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Peter Newsham detailed the exhaustive investigation carried out by the Metropolitan Police Department and other law enforcement agencies leading to the arrest warrants.