Hans Blix, who oversaw the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) during the 2003 Iraq disarmament crisis, is credited with saying this. Blix played a significant role in determining whether the government of Saddam Hussein had WMDs.

Blix employed this metaphor in his work to explain the scope of the inspections conducted on Iraq. He compared the procedure to scraping the bottom of a barrel, saying that even though they were unable to find everything that might have been there, there was still enough residue to imply that something important might be hiding there.

Blix's disarmament verification strategy included thorough examination and analysis to guarantee adherence to global accords. His thorough analysis and the difficulty of establishing the presence of WMDs without complete certainty are both reflected in the metaphor.

Swedish diplomat Hans Blix has devoted a significant portion of his career to non-proliferation initiatives. Recognized for his meticulous methods and diplomatic abilities, he played a significant role in disarmament operations after the Gulf War and more recent conflicts. His research made clear how crucial international collaboration is to addressing problems pertaining to the spread of weapons.

Blix skillfully conveyed the ambiguities and difficulties involved in confirming claims of gun ownership through this metaphorical language, highlighting the necessity of ongoing vigilance in the face of possible dangers.