There are strong competing arguments supporting the continued possession of nuclear weapons as well as the eradication of them. With an issue this complex, it is understandable that perfectly reasonable people will disagree. However, it seems entirely irrational for anyone to oppose the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Entry into force of the CTBT would make it illegal for any signatory to test a nuclear weapon. Testing a nuclear weapon is a critical phase in the development of new weapons. Without an actual test, scientists can not guarantee the effectiveness of new weapons with any confidence.

There are currently 26,000 nuclear warheads on earth, 95% of which are in the hands of the U.S. and Russia. It would only take 1% of these weapons to destroy either the U.S. or Russia, ruin the global economy, and cause a nuclear winter. If international security cannot be maintained with this many weapons, will more weapons actually be the answer?

A positive aspect of ratifying the CTBT for the U.S. is that the U.S. already possesses a first-rate nuclear arsenal. Ratifying a law that will halt all nuclear weapons innovation would simply serve to ensure that we maintained our position of superiority without having to invest billions of dollars into new weapons.