Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

The numbers are shocking: An estimated 35 million illicit firearms are in the hands of civilians, accounting for over 50 percent of all firearms in the European Union. Around 630,000 of civilian firearms are reported as lost or stolen in the Schengen Information System. Evidently, the current rules are insufficient. The proliferation of illicit firearms poses a significant threat to public safety. This is unacceptable and it is time to set up a stronger legal framework for the fight against the illicit trade of firearms for civilian use.

More responsibility must be taken regarding the traceability of firearms sold, for example to the U.S market - one of the main destinations of European firearms. We must work towards more transparency in order to gain insight of who is receiving firearms for civilian use from the European Union. Looking at the progress made recently with the stricter rules for the Dual- Use Export Control system and the Anti-Torture regulation, it is about high time to also update and strengthen the rules on the import, export and transit measures for firearms, their essential components and ammunition. We have to make certain that these arms are not being diverged and minimize the risk of misuse. I urge furthermore, that firearms entering into the European Union are properly checked, especially those coming from former conflict regions.

This being said, I welcome the proposal of the European Commission. I strongly agree that the main focus needs to be put on the traceability. The basis to achieve this is on the one hand the digitalisation of the required data and on the other hand a proper exchange of information between the competent and custom authorities, not only at national level but also between the Member States. In order to achieve traceability, it is of the utmost importance to track import, transit and export while ensuring dealers are licensed, and that semi-components and parts are also checked and registered.

Traceability and transparency are the key elements for the functioning of the new rules.

As the Rapporteur for this Proposal presented by the European Commission, I find the proposed steps taken towards enhancing firearm regulations to be a good starting point. However, I believe that further improvements are necessary to ensure that the updated rules are even more effective in the fight against illicit firearms.

Firstly, we must turn our focus on the quality of data. The annual reports by the Member States should not only contain the number of refusals but also the reasons for the refusals. Moreover, they should also include the number of post shipment checks and the results. With this information, it becomes much simpler to evaluate and to improve the legislation in future times.

To increase transparency, the annual report statistics should be made publically available. This step allows the citizens of the European Union to have direct access to relevant information. There should be no secrets about the number of civilian firearms, their essential components and ammunition, entering and leaving the European Union. European citizens have the right to know the numbers.

Additionally, it is imperative to involve the European Parliament more extensively in the control of implementation and the further development of the regulation. Therefore most of the foreseen implementing acts should be changed into delegated acts. For example, it is of significant importance for the European Parliament’s participation in establishing uniform end-user certificates as well as the rules for providing anonymized statistical data from the Member State or for the functioning of the exchange of information between Member States. Our active participation will ensure democratic oversight and reinforce accountability.

Fast digitalisation is another crucial aspect that demands attention. It is unacceptable that the vast majority of the Member States are still using paperwork. The whole system will only work at its best when the EU-wide centralised digital control of authorisations is completely in place. We must therefore stress the importance of a swift implementation time with clear deadlines for the central database, as there is an urgency of the matter. By achieving faster digitalisation, we can effectively track firearms movement.

Furthermore, I advocate for the addition of an end-user certificate for “category C” firearms. This certification will provide an additional layer of control, ensuring all firearms within the scope are tracked sufficiently.

Post-shipment controls must also be a focal point in our efforts to maintain transparency. Regular checks following shipments are essential to guarantee that the regulation put forth in the proposal is being adhered to effectively. This reporting mechanism must be transparent and comprehensive, providing a clear overview of compliance levels. The Member States must ensure that they provide sufficient resources in order to carry out checks and controls.

Lastly, we must establish clear sanctions in order to reinforce the regulation. It is imperative that Member States actively participate and display transparency. In case of breaches of this regulation, clear and robust sanctions for companies and persons will strengthen the integrity of the regulations. These company’s shall be penalised accordingly and proportionately in line with their annual worldwide turnover.

To conclude, while the current proposal is a step forward, it requires further enhancements to ensure more transparency within the import, export, and transit of firearms. Moving forward, we need to focus on the quality of data, transparency and digitalisation, as these components are crucial in the fight against illicit firearms both within and outside of our borders. By implementing the above mentioned changes, we can strengthen the regulation and provide a safer future for the citizens of the European Union.