Firearms Directive meeting held at European Parliament

The European Parliament has, this week (23rd March), held its first exchange of views on the proposed amendments of the Firearms Directive. A number of proposals were discussed that would see restrictions on the licensed use of firearms by reducing the ability for under-18s to shoot, standard medical tests and the banning of certain self-loading rifles. The meeting was a particularly lively affair with some extremely strong views put to the rapporteur of the project, Vicky Ford MEP for the East of England.

Satisfyingly, the vast majority of MEPs are in agreement that the current proposed amendments are poorly drafted and that any changes to the Directive should be proportionate to the risk and directed at reducing terrorism and illegal trafficking, not making life more difficult for legal firearm users. MEPs from a number of countries, including the UK, made their feelings apparent and the impact on hunters and target shooters featured very high.

Vicky Ford produced a positive Working Document prior to the meeting that holds plenty of alternative ideas to the amendments and can be celebrated as a positive step forward in the debate. The Countryside Alliance believes that this document and continued sufficient pressure on the European Parliament will result in agreeable amendments that are appropriate to the current risk presented.

The issues raised by the MEPs are those that are identical to the brief sent to UK MEPs through the FACE UK e-lobby platform. If you have yet to lobby your MEPs please do so here, tens of thousands have already done so, and it is pleasing to see our issues being received by groups across the spectrum in Brussels.

Next on the timetable is a public hearing set for 15th March. We will keep you updated with any further changes.