About: Firearms Directive

Strong Swiss gun culture faces EU pressure

Switzerland, where gun culture has deep roots, has managed to avoid the charged national debates over firearm ownership that have consumed other countries.

Gibraltar gun fans disappointed by EU court ruling

Members of a Gibraltar gun club were left disappointed by an EU Court of Justice decision on Tuesday (23 January), after judges decided that the Firearms Directive does not apply to the British Overseas Territory.

EU anti-terror czar: ‘The threat is coming from inside Europe’

A year after the Brussels attacks, Gilles de Kerchove told EURACTIV.com about the fast pace of development of EU security policy, calling for the “systematic use of biometrics” and “batch comparison” of databases in order to boost security in the Schengen area.

MEPs finalise watered-down update of EU gun law

The European Parliament approved in plenary yesterday (14 March) amendments to the EU’s firearms legislation but the agreed text is a long way from what the European Commission initially had in mind. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Czech minister wants to guarantee the right to keep and bear arms

A constitutional amendment would enable Czechs to acquire and possess a gun for security purposes. This is a partial response to the proposed EU Firearms Directive. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.

EU states reach difficult compromise on firearms

EU countries finally accepted the Commission’s proposal to strengthen firearms regulations on Tuesday (20 December), after the executive agreed on a number of compromises. EURACTIV France reports.

Firearms Directive dispute continues, no compromise in sight

The supporters and opponents of the EU's weapons law reform are seemingly entrenched in irreconcilable positions. After more than a year of negotiations and talks this week, there is still no agreement on the horizon. EURACTIV Germany reports.