“Criminals are constantly changing the way they bring deadly weapons into the world. European Union and we must be one step ahead”, continues the Home Affairs Commissioner, ylva johansson. To do this, European Commission suggested hardening this Thursday import, export and transit rules firearms for civilian use In the EU, amid growing concerns among some European governments war in ukraine increase lack of control and arms smuggling on European soil.
“I must say that this has not happened yet, but we need to prepare ourselves, and that’s why we are developing an anti-arms smuggling action plan together with the Ukrainians. (…) Of course there is a huge risk, but I believe. The Ukrainian army – they really use the weapons correctly – but at the same time the people of the war We know it’s a disaster for us, but it’s an opportunity for criminals and we have to be prepared for it,” he insisted during a brief appearance at the Interior Police Station. Explains updating rules. The Commissioner stressed that “reducing the illegal use and trafficking of firearms must be based on good. police cooperationa good information and transparent procedures and this proposal achieves that”.
The plan was already there community study program It gained importance before Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February only as a result of the confirmation that weapons used in the war and wars in the former Yugoslavia continued to enter Community territory. Currently, according to ensemble calculations, some 35 million illegal weapons in the hands of civilians and some 630,000 listed as stolen In the Schengen Information System database.
clear procedures
The proposal, which now needs to be negotiated with the Council and the European Parliament, establishes clearer common procedures for the import, export and transit of arms, ammunition and alarm and signal weapons. For example, you will create a electronic licensing system For import and export applications to replace existing national systems, which in most cases are paper-based. “This new paperless system will save applicants time and simplify the process,” the commission says.
The Brussels plan also sets out simplified import and export procedures. hunters, sport shooters and participants. In particular, hunters holding a European firearms card will not be required to obtain prior import or export permits. Additionally, it will enforce strict technical standards. alarm and signal weaponsThey are devices that are manufactured to fire only blanks, tear gas or irritants. This protects the Community Manager, it will help prevent them from becoming deadly firearms. Such weapons that do not comply with these standards should be imported as firearms. In addition, the Commission will establish a list of non-convertible alarm and signal weapons, i.e. non-convertible devices for launching a shot, projectile or projectile.
Fewer “ghost guns”
The initiative will also introduce stricter rules. semi-finished components. For example, they can only be imported by licensed sellers and brokers; this is a requirement they hope will reduce the threat of homemade “ghost” firearms without marking or registration. Additionally, it will require end user certificate for the most dangerous firearms, to ensure that the buyer is the final buyer of the goods and does not intend to transfer it to another person. This will reduce the risk of firearms shifting from the legal market to the black market during or after export.
The regulations also include EU governments, refusal of import or export permits. This means that national authorities must check whether an applicant for a permit has previously been denied an authorization in another Member State. Therefore, when an import or export permit is denied, the information will need to be shared with other Member States to prevent individuals from “buying” in another EU Member State to obtain that permit.