Council, Parliament Reach Deal on EU Rules for Firearms Trading

The European Council and European Parliament reached a provisional deal March 14 to update the rules on the "import, export and transit of firearms into and from the EU," the council announced. The rules seek to close loopholes for firearms trafficking while boosting trade of firearms for "legitimate purposes," the council said.

The new rules impose common rules and licensing procedures, "coordinated controls and better traceability of firearms for civilian use," barring legally made and exported civilian firearms from being sent to the illegal market.

The provisional deal outlines three categories of firearms, with Category A goods being "generally prohibited," Category B firearms needing an authorization and Category C firearms needing a declaration of their ownership. The new rules don't apply to Category A firearms and Category B firearms that are "destined for the armed forces, the police" or "public authorities," the council said. "Firearms of category C sent to third countries would, on the other hand, be included in the scope of the new rules."

The council and parliament also said the rules will help "transparency and traceability requirements by increasing and speeding up the exchange and publication of information." The requirements would apply four years "after the entry into force of the regulation." The deal next needs to be approved by EU member states and the European Parliament.