29th November 2007
Following UK-wide action against gun crime, with more than 1'300 real and imitation handguns seized in raids nationwide, the European Parliament has backed Labour Euro MP Arlene McCarthy's campaign
for a crackdown on convertible weapons.
Arlene McCarthy welcomed the vote on the new EU law, negotiated by her as Chair of the Internal Market Committee, which was carried by an overwhelming majority.
Arlene said "We have tough laws in the UK but without tougher controls in Europe these guns will continue to be brought in by criminals.
"I want to give the credit for this success to Greater Manchester Police officers and the community group Mothers Against Violence who demanded action on these guns.
"It is good that Europe can show it responds to citizens concerns and we can deliver. This law will cut the illegal trade in guns.
"Lives of young people have already been taken. We owe it to them and their families to do everything we can to take these guns off our streets" / -ENDS-
NOTE TO EDITORS:
A photo of Arlene with convertible weapon is available on request
The law was adopted: 588 votes in favour, 14 against, 11 abstentions
To stress how easy it is to get hold of convertible weapons Arlene brought a 9mm Smith and Wesson copy into the chamber for the debate which was purchased in Germany in a sports shop and sent in
the post to her office in Brussels.
Following today's vote 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 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:
• classify convertible weapons as firearms.
• raise standards to ensure all "deactivated" weapons, another major source of guns for criminals, can never be reactivated;
• ensure that all firearms sold in the EU are traceable to their owners;
• 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;
• 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
• 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.
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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