Brussels, 31/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 31 May, European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström proposed legislation to combat illicit arms trafficking through improved tracing and control of imports and exports of civilian firearms from and to the EU. Adoption of the proposal by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU would bring the European Union legislation in line with Article 10 of the UN Firearms Protocol. The proposal is based on the principle that firearms and related items should not be transferred between states without the knowledge and consent of all states involved. The proposed regulation does not apply to firearms intended for military purposes. It only addresses trade and transfers with countries outside the EU; transfers of firearms within the Union are regulated by other EU regulations. (B.C./transl.rt)