Control of Firearms, Energy Union and Neighbourhood Policy Review

Today the European Commission proposed measures on the control of firearms, presented its first State of the Energy Union Report and its review of the European Neighbourhood Policy.

Stronger control of firearms

Today the European Commission adopted a package of measures to make it more difficult to acquire firearms in the European Union, easier to track legally held firearms, strengthen cooperation between Member States and to ensure that deactivated firearms are rendered irreversibly inoperable.

The package of measures on firearms adopted by the College of Commissioners today includes a revision of the Firearms Directive to tighten controls on the acquisition and possession of firearms; a Regulation on common minimum standards for deactivation of firearms. The Commission also announced that it will prepare an action plan against the illegal trafficking of weapons and explosives.

Originally presented in the European Security Agenda adopted in April 2015, the proposals  have been significantly accelerated in light of recent events.

President Juncker said: “The recent terrorist attacks on Europe’s people and values were coordinated across borders, showing that we must work together to resist these threats. Today’s proposal, prepared jointly by Commissioners Bieńkowska and Avramopoulos, will help us tackle the threat of weapons falling into the hands of terrorists”. Internal Market and Industry Commissioner Bieńkowska and Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Avramopoulos added: “The adoption of the firearms package today is proof of the Commission’s determination to address the new reality we are confronted with”.

H/T:  http://ec.europa.eu/news/2015/11/20151118_en.htm