EU Commission, Parliament Preparing to Talk New Firearm Trade Rules

The European Council on Nov. 29 passed a negotiating mandate for the council president to start talks with the European Parliament on new rules for the "import, export and transit of firearms into and from the EU," the council announced. The mandate says the rules must look to close the loopholes for firearm trafficking while easing trade of firearms for "legitimate purposes."

The council revised the European Commission's draft, adding a licensing procedure for temporary imports and exports of firearms and specified that the military weapons excluded from the scope of the proposal regarding export restrictions "would be those on the common military list of the European Union."

The new rules will look to establish common procedures, "coordinated controls and better traceability of firearms for civilian use," to ultimately bar exported firearms from being sold on the illegal market. They could also clarify the role of licensing authorities while boosting their cooperation with law enforcement.

Stricter regulations will also be set for "semi-finished" firearms or parts that can be turned into lethal firearms "at home." End-user certificates could also be required for more dangerous weapons. "Clear" import, export and transit procedures also will be set for civilian trade.