ONE thousand people every day are killed by guns.

Arms kill half a million people each year and millions more die of starvation caused by conflict.

The arms trade is out of control.

There are international treaties governing trade in postage stamps and even dinosaur bones, but none for the arms trade.

This year, we have a unique opportunity to bring about international regulation of the trade in arms.

Oxfam and Amnesty International are calling for pressure to be put on world leaders to draw up an International Arms Trade Treaty at the United Nations General Assembly in October.

For the first time in decades, there is a real chance for an agreement to take place.

Oxfam and Amnesty International are asking for as many people as possible to join the Million Faces Petition for an International Arms Trade Treaty.

This can be done on line at www.controlarms.org or you can pick up a leaflet at the Spurriergate Centre in York, where there will be a display from today until Saturday, June 17.

You can help us put an end to the horrific abuse.

Mark Dawson, Co-ordinator of Oxfam Campaigns in York, Sycamore Terrace, York.