EU to tighten rules on firearms
Firearms - Photo by Dan Galvani Sommavilla on Pexels
(BRUSSELS) - An update to EU rules on the import, export and transit of firearms for civilian use, proposed Thursday by the European Commission, will enhance security and address the trafficking of firearms.
As many as 35 million illicit firearms are estimated to be in the hands of civilians in the EU, and around 630,000 firearms are listed as stolen or lost in the Schengen Information System. The updated rules will facilitate the legal trade of firearms for civilian use and reduce the administrative burden of firearms manufacturers, dealers and users.
With the development of fast parcel delivery and of new technologies, trafficking of firearms is taking new forms to escape controls, according to the EU executive, which says legislation is needed to catch up.
"The reform we are proposing will close down the loopholes in the existing rules which are often circumvented, leading to firearms being smuggled and diverted into the EU," said EC vice-president Margaritis Schinas: "We are tightening our rulebook on firearms, so that legal weapons, used for sports or hunting for instance, do not end up in the hands of criminals and terrorists."
The updated rules will include:
- Clear and common procedures for the import, export and transit of firearms for civilian use, their essential components, ammunitions and alarm and signal weapons. For example, the current proposal will exempt firearms manufacturers, dealers, and users from a fee to obtain an import or export authorisation.
- Simplified import and export procedures for hunters, sport shooters and exhibitors: notably no prior import or export authorisation for hunters with a European Firearms Pass will be required.
- A new EU electronic licensing system for firearms manufacturers and dealers to apply for import and export authorisation, replacing the diverse, mostly paper-based national systems. This new paperless system will save applicants time and simplify the process. The system will also be connected to the EU Single Window Environment for Customs.
- Strict technical standards for alarm and signal weapons, which are devices manufactured to only be able to fire blank, tear gas or irritant ammunition. This will help avoid them being converted into lethal firearms. Any such weapons not complying with these standards would need to be imported as firearms. The Commission will also establish a list of non-convertible alarm and signal weapons, meaning devices which are not capable of being converted to expel a shot, bullet or projectile.
- Stricter rules on semi-finished firearms components. They will be imported only by licensed dealers and brokers, reducing the threat of home-made firearms without marking or registration ("ghost guns").
- An end-user certificate for the more dangerous firearms. This document will certify that the buyer is the final recipient of the goods and does not plan on transferring them to someone else. This will reduce the risk of diversion of firearms from the legal to the black market during or after export.
- Strict checks on refusals to grant import or export authorisations. National authorities will have to check whether someone applying for an authorisation has already been refused one in another Member State. When an individual will be refused an import or export authorisation, the information will be shared with other Member States. This will prevent individuals from 'shopping' in another EU Member State to obtain such authorisation.
Factsheet: updated EU rules on import and export of firearms
Updated rules to increase security and facilitate legal trade - guide