Title 22Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73

§2573 Policy formulation

Title 22 › Chapter CHAPTER 35— - ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - FUNCTIONS › § 2573

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of State must advise the President and agencies on arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament. The U.S. may not be required to reduce or limit its armed forces or armaments in a militarily significant way except under the President’s treaty power (Article II, Section 2, Clause 2) or if Congress enacts law. Nothing here lets any agency restrict lawful firearm ownership or use.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §2573

Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Secretary of State shall prepare for the President, and the heads of such other Government agencies as the President may determine, recommendations and advice concerning United States arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament policy.
(b)No action shall be taken pursuant to this chapter or any other Act that would obligate the United States to reduce or limit the Armed Forces or armaments of the United States in a militarily significant manner, except pursuant to the treaty-making power of the President set forth in Article II, section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution or unless authorized by the enactment of further affirmative legislation by the Congress of the United States.
(c)Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize any policy or action by any Government agency which would interfere with, restrict, or prohibit the acquisition, possession, or use of firearms by an individual for the lawful purpose of personal defense, sport, recreation, education, or training.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c), was in the original “this chapter” and was translated as reading “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 87–297, Sept. 26, 1961, 75 Stat. 631, known as the Arms Control and Disarmament Act, which is classified generally to this chapter, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

1998—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–277, § 1223(8), substituted “Secretary of State” for “Director” and struck out “the Secretary of State,” after “the President,”. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 105–277, § 2602, added subsec. (c). 1994—Pub. L. 103–236 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: “The Director is authorized and directed to prepare for the President, the Secretary of State, and the heads of such other Government agencies, as the President may determine, recommendations concerning United States arms control and disarmament policy: Provided, however, That no action shall be taken under this chapter or any other law that will obligate the United States to disarm or to reduce or to limit the Armed Forces or armaments of the United States, except pursuant to the treaty making power of the President under the Constitution or unless authorized by further affirmative legislation by the Congress of the United States. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize any policy or action by any Government agency which would interfere with, restrict, or prohibit the acquisition, possession, or use of firearms by an individual for the lawful purpose of personal defense, sport, recreation, education, or training.” 1963—Pub. L. 88–186 inserted provision precluding

Construction

of this chapter to authorize the regulation of the possession of firearms by an individual.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1998 AmendmentAmendment by section 1223(8), (21) of Pub. L. 105–277 effective Apr. 1, 1999, see section 1201 of Pub. L. 105–277, set out as an

Effective Date

note under section 6511 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 2573

Title 22Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73