Leahy to Obama: Destroy US stockpile of land mines

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) called on President Obama Thursday to destroy the U.S. stockpile of land mines and sign the Mine Ban Treaty as part of his presidential legacy. 

“Destroy our stock pile of mines. We’re never going to use them,” Leahy said on the Senate floor. “President Obama is the only one who can make that happen. Time is running out.”

{mosads}Leahy said he wanted Obama to sign the U.N. Mine Ban Treaty, which was first negotiated during former President Clinton’s administration, to reduce the use of anti-personnel mines around the world.

Leahy said Obama should ensure the U.S. joins the treaty if for nothing else but to protect small children in other countries.

“I think of children who have gone to something shiny on the side of the road thinking it was a toy and instead having their legs blown off,” Leahy said. “[President Obama,] you know what you should do.”