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Labour Euro MP Brian Simpson, voted for a new law to tighten controls on convertible guns in Europe.
Convertible weapons such as blank-firing guns, which are imported from the continent are converted into deadly weapons. Despite being banned in the UK these
weapons are a growing problem due to smuggling. The new law will clamp down on these weapons.
Brian said: "We have demonstrated to our citizens that we can tackle the problem of illegal weapons across Europe. This law puts in place a control system which
protects public safety by ensuring guns don't fall in to the hands of criminals and that weapons can be traced to their owners. This is Europe taking pragmatic and practical action for
its citizens."
"We can legislate on guns as much as we like in the UK, but if we don’t
work with our European partners on weapons law, guns will continue to find their way into the UK and kill young people on our inner city streets." "Following the recent tragic school massacre in Finland, and the attempted school shooting in Germany it is
clear we need to raise the standards of gun control in Europe. Now is the time to act."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The law will come into force across Europe in January 2008, with a two year deadline for
Member States to adapt their laws to enforce this. The new stricter controls
are not aimed at people who are legally entitled to possess weapons for legitimate purposes in national law. The new directive will mean individuals wanting to buy convertible guns will have to prove their identity to the retailer or manufacturer, who will be under a duty to
register that sale in the same way as for other types of firearms. The new
law will:
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classify convertible weapons as firearms.
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ensure that all firearms sold in the EU are traceable to their owners;
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ensure clear and coherent marking and maintenance of a database system to aid traceability;
· ensure people who are a danger to themselves or others, such as
violent criminals, are not permitted buy weapons;
· raise
standards so that all deactivated weapons are irreversibly deactivated;
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ensure those under 18 are prohibited from acquiring and possessing firearms, except for hunting or target shooting purposes with parental permission or under the guidance
of a licensed adult; and
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include a review of the sale of replica weapons across the EU, by 2010, with a view to bringing them under the control of the legislation as well.
The law sets minimum standards across Europe, while allowing all Member States to maintain or introduce stricter controls, as the UK has done. It will tighten controls to
prevent criminal use of firearms without adding unnecessary burdens for legal users of weapons, including hunters and sport shooters. Charges will be abolished for use of the European Firearms Pass
(the permission granted to use a weapon in another EU country) and the law calls for all Member States to simplify administrative procedures for legal users in getting permission to acquire and
possess weapons.
What are convertible weapons? Convertible weapons are anything that looks like a real firearm - such as many alarm guns, gas guns and blank firers - that can be converted to fire live
ammunition. As controls on real firearms have been toughened, converted weapons
have become a cheap, popular choice for criminals, and police sources cite them as an ever growing threat. They are illegal in the UK but are freely available in some other European Member
States. 46% of all usable firearms recovered by Greater Manchester Police last year were converted weapons.
'Realistic replica weapons', even if not convertible, are also banned in the UK. Controls on these weapons across the EU will also be reviewed under this law.
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Tougher gun control across EU
