Press Release: Gun control strengthened after EU ministers approve Commission proposal

With the adoption of the European Commission’s proposal for compulsory and complete marking of firearms, the EU Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs gave the green light to reinforce the fight against organized crime and firearms trafficking. The new measures extended the duration for record-keeping for data on firearms and ban the purchase of firearms by persons under the age of eighteen. This directive ensured that traceability for all firearms is strengthened and rules for the acquisition and possession of them will be more rigorous. These requirements will also apply to converted weapons. The measures aligned the pre-existing directive 91/477 on firearms with the so-called 'United Nations Firearms Protocol' to which the Community acceded in 2001, opening the way towards its ratification. The Directive entered into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal. Member States will need to adapt their relevant national legislation within two years following this publication. The approval of the Member States follows a positive vote in the European Parliament last year.