Brussels, 22/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - According to a press release on 22 March, the European Commission has proposed ratification of the United Nations protocol on firearms. The EU recently introduced legislation on the control of firearms entering, circulating within and leaving the EU (Directive 2008/51/EC) setting out rules for the control by member states of the procurement and possession of weapons, as well as their transfer to other member states. Regulation 258/2012 establishes requirements for exports, imports and transit licensing, and makes it easier to track weapons. The EU is, therefore, able to ratify this protocol. The purpose of the UN firearms protocol is to strengthen cooperation against illicit manufacturing and trafficking of small arms, such as handguns and pistols. This trade generates around €180 million per year for organised crime around the globe.
The Commission says that the text of the protocol contains provisions to: - maintain detailed records on the import, export and in-transit movements of firearms; - adopt an international system for marking firearms at the time of manufacture and each time they are imported; - establish a harmonised licensing system governing the import, export, in-transit movement and re-export of firearms; - prevent the theft, loss or diversion of firearms through the strengthening of export controls, export points and border controls; - exchange information on authorised producers, dealers, importers and exporters, the routes used by illicit traffickers, best practice in combating trafficking in order to enhance states' ability to prevent, detect and investigate illicit trafficking in firearms. The Commission also says that it will present a Communication on “how to limit the threat of firearms to the EU's internal security before the end of 2013”.
The protocol came into force in 2005. So far, 18 member states have signed it, 12 member states have ratified it and 4 members have acceded to it. Once adopted by the Council, the proposal will make the protocol applicable in all member states, said the Commission. (SP/trans/fl)