Highlights - Exchange of views on the Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons - Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

The Rapporteur (V. Ford) highlighted the main elements of the proposal and namely on deactivation and whether the new regulation introduced less robust measures as well as the impact on already deactivated firearms; the impact on collectors/museums; the ban of the semi-automatic type firearms resembling automatic type firearms (move of B7 type to A7); the MS exception to grant special authorisation for banned firearms; the aspect of convertibility of certain blank firing arms into live firing, .

Shadows stressed that the report should aim at the right balance between security and the right of legal ownership and use of firearms. They welcomed the approach taken by the Rapporteur on a number of issues including on the museums and collectors, on the medical testing, on distance sales and "suspicious transactions",on introduction of storage requirements. Shadows welcomed further discussion on the different options to treat the proposal to ban the B7 type. A large number of MEPs took the floor. There were suggestions for a complete rejection of EC's proposal. Many present were concerned about the impact to hunters and private collectors, to sport shooters, especially as no Impact Assessment was produced. Concerns were raised about the impact to reservists and national security of certain MS. A number of MEPs welcomed the proposals on marking and traceability of firearms; on deactivation; as well as the amendments on salute and acoustic firearms, and the changes on distance sales.