Control of firearms: Council confirms agreement with the European Parliament

On 20 December 2016, the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) confirmed, on behalf of the Council of the European Union, the agreement reached with the European Parliament on the proposal for a directive on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons, which reviews and completes existing directive 91/477/EEC.

The amendments which address risks for public safety and security focus on: Enhanced traceability of firearms; Measures on deactivation and reactivation or conversion of firearms; Banning civilian use of the most dangerous semi-automatic firearms; Stricter rules for the acquisition and possession of the most dangerous firearms; Improving the exchange of relevant information between member states

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Parliament agrees on its negotiating position regarding the Firearms Directive proposal http://www.europeansources.info/record/parliament-agrees-on-its-negotiating-position-regarding-the-firearms-directive-proposal/

European Commission: DG Communication: PRESS RELEASE, IP/16/4464, 20.12.16: Firearms: Agreement on Commission proposal to increase citizens' security http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-4464_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/16/4465, 20.12.16: Firearms Directive http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-4465_en.htm

Deutsche Welle, 20.12.16: EU agrees new gun rules in face of terrorism http://dw.com/p/2UcBM

EUObserver, 20.12.16: EU reaches deal on contested gun laws https://euobserver.com/justice/136362

EurActiv, 21.12.16: EU states reach difficult compromise on firearms http://www.euractiv.com/section/security/news/eu-states-reach-difficult-compromise-on-firearms/

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