Brussels, 13/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 13 October new European rules for controlling the export of firearms for civilian use, such as those used for sport and hunting, were adopted in Brussels, according to a press release. This text has already been the subject of an official agreement with the Council. According to the text adopted (605 votes in favour, 20 against, with 18 abstentions), EU legislation will be based on the United Nations Protocol on Firearms provisions, which aims to fight against the illegal manufacture and trafficking of these arms, through more efficient controls of arms for civilian use.
The press release also explains that European exporters will have to request authorisation from member states to export firearms and ammunition to countries outside the EU. Before awarding authorisation, member states will also have to ensure that the country of destination does not have an objection to the import or transiting of the arms in question. The list of firearms for which exports will require authorisation will also be regularly updated by the Commission, which will also have to swiftly inform Parliament and the Council of any changes.
The EP, however, said that it did not want authorisation to be compulsory for hunters and those who shoot for sport “if they justify the reasons for their journey and provide assurances that they will be returning to the EU over the next 24 months”. The EP also underlines that the new EU rules will not apply to fully automatic firearms, those that have been neutralised, old weapons, arms or component parts and ammunition for the armed forces or public authorities in member states, or for transactions between states. (SP/transl.fl)