Press Release: Firearms proposal: impact on law-abiding citizens dominates EP committee debate

The European Parliament's internal market committee held on 23 February 2016 the first debate on the proposal to revise the European Union's firearms directive.

Members of the committee raised concerns about the impact of the revised law on legal owners of guns in the EU, such as sport shooters, hunters, collectors and museums.

A second debate was held on 16 March with experts on gun control regarding the impact of the proposals. The committee held another session to debate amendments to the proposal on 20 April.

The draft revision was proposed by the European Commission following the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: European Commission strengthens control of firearms across the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-commission-strengthens-control-of-firearms-across-the-eu/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 16.03.16: Crime prevention: experts speak out on new gun control rules http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160314STO19202/

EurActiv, 21.03.16: Commission’s gun proposal shot down by Parliament committee http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/commissions-gun-proposal-shot-down-by-parliament-committee/

Swissinfo.ch, 11.03.16: EU won’t ban Swiss army rifles at home http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/gun-control-_eu-won-t-ban-swiss-army-rifles-at-home/42014790

Politico, 05.04.16: Gun lobby stirs to life in Europe http://www.politico.eu/article/europe-gun-lobby-mobilizing-against-new-firearms-guns-weapons-rules/

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 20.04.16: Gun control: MEPs debate changes to firearms proposal to make it fit for purpose http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160418IPR23831/

---