Trafficking of firearms: Commission launches public consultation to review EU rules on imports and exports of weapons

The Commission is launching today a public consultation on the review of EU rules governing exports, imports and transit of civilian firearms, with the objective to close possible loopholes, which traffickers can use, and to simplify the legal framework for legal traders. All interested parties are invited to contribute until 11 October 2021. The results of the consultation will feed into the review of the rules, to improve traceability and exchange of information, and to increase the security of export and import control procedures. Firearms trafficking feeds organised crime within the EU and breeds political instability in the EU’s neighbourhood. With the development of fast parcel delivery and of new technologies, trafficking of firearms is taking new forms to escape controls. At the same time, legal importers and exporters of firearms are faced with a wide variety of different rules across the EU. The initiative to review the current legislation is part of the EU Action plan on firearms trafficking for the period 2020 to 2025. Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, has also published a blog article today encouraging all interested parties to contribute to the consultation.