A UN committee has voted to start drafting an international arms trade treaty which would regulate the import and export of conventional weapons.
The measure, passed by an overwhelming majority, would help to stop guns finding their way to existing war zones despite existing arms embargos and export controls.
The UN General Assembly's Disarmament and International Security Committee voted 139 to 1, with the US casting the sole 'no' vote.
Russia and China were among the countries that abstained from the vote.
The Assembly will vote on the resolution later this year.
The measure would give the UN Secretary General one year to explore the feasibility and scope of a binding international treaty establishing uniform worldwide standards for conventional arms deals.
The goal is to close loopholes created by the global marketplace.
While many nations have legislation governing arms deals, nothing prevents a buyer from shopping around in search of the lowest standards.
The outcome has been welcomed by the Director of the International Action Network on Small Arms, a global lobby group trying to stop the proliferation of handguns and rifles.
US President George W Bush, a close ally of the US gun lobby, said the US govt was willing to endorse a set of voluntary principles aimed at guiding arms deals, but would not back binding controls on transfers across national boundaries.
