Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons

‘EU Legislation in Progress’ briefings aim to provide Members of the European Parliament with systematic and automatic analysis on all substantial proposals for EU legislation at every stage of the legislative procedure. Each contains an account of the purpose, content and legal aspects of the legislation proposed, in particular analysing what the legislation would change, as well as any previous legislation and the background. An overview of stakeholders’ views is also provided, as well as the opinions of national parliaments and the two advisory committees.

They are all made publicly available for stakeholders and the public.In the aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks, in November 2015 the European Commission presented a package of measures aiming to tighten control on the acquisition and possession of firearms in the European Union, improve traceability of legally held firearms and enhance cooperation between Member States, as well as ensure that deactivated firearms are rendered inoperable.

The proposal to amend the current 'Firearms Directive' (Directive 91/477/EEC) was part of this package. It aims to ban some semi-automatic firearms for civilian use, as well as to include some previously excluded actors (collectors and brokers) and blank-firing weapons within the scope of the Directive. Stakeholders commented particularly on the proposed ban on some semi-automatic firearms and the obligation for collectors to deactivate firearms.

On 10 June 2016, the Council of the European Union adopted its general approach on the file. On 13 July 2016 the Parliament’s IMCO Committee voted on amendments to the proposal; a mandate to open trilogue negotiations with the Council was voted on 5 September 2016.

After several rounds of trilogue negotiations, the Council and Parliament reached agreement on the proposal in December 2016. The two institutions formally adopted it in March and April 2017 respectively.

The new directive reduces the number of weapons categories and changes the classification of certain types of weapons, while strictly defining exceptions for civilian use of the most dangerous weapons. It entered into force on 13 June 2017, with the deadline for transposition of most provisions set at 14 September 2018.

Author: Jana Valant

EP: EPRS: Briefing: EU Legislation in Progress http://epthinktank.eu/eu-legislation-in-progress/

ESO: Background information: Meeting: Justice and Home Affairs Council, 10-11 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/meeting-justice-and-home-affairs-council-10-11-march-2016/

ESO: Background information: Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council. Evaluation of Council Directive 91/477/EC of 18 June 1991, as amended by Directive 2008/51/EC of 21 May 2008, on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons http://www.europeansources.info/record/report-from-the-commission-to-the-european-parliament-and-the-council-evaluation-of-council-directive-91-477-ec-of-18-june-1991-as-amended-by-directive-2008-51-ec-of-21-may-2008-on-control-of-the-a/

EurActiv, 10.06.16: EU to tighten guns rules despite concern it will restrict hunters, collectors http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/eu-to-tighten-guns-rules-despite-concern-it-will-restrict-hunters-collectors/

ESO: Background information: Control of firearms: Council confirms agreement with the European Parliament http://www.europeansources.info/record/control-of-firearms-council-confirms-agreement-with-the-european-parliament/

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