US Blocks Sale of Sig Sauer Weapons To Turkish President's Security Guards

The United States has blocked the sale of $1.2-million (1-million-euros) worth of arms to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s security guards, following violence against protesters during Erdogan’s visit to Washington in May.

Earlier this year, the administration told Congress that it planned to allow New Hampshire gunmaker Sig Sauer to sell the weapons, which include hundreds of semi-automatic handguns and ammunition.

Following the assault on demonstrators, the Trump administration informed Ankara that it would put the sale on hold. Monday's Senate vote all but withdraws the proposal and could see future arms sales to Turkish security units blocked as well, AP reports.

Sig Seuer appeared to have pulled its request for the US government to sanction the sale to Turkey once it became apparent from Erdogan's office that they no longer planned to purchase the firearms.