EU strengthens control of firearms after Paris attacks

The European Commission on Wednesday adopted a package of measures to strengthen control of firearms across the European Union(EU).

The measures will help prevent terrorists from accessing weapons in the EU, better track legally held firearms and increase cooperation between member states, it said in a statement.

The package of measures includes a revision of the firearms directive to tighten controls on the acquisition and possession of firearms, which need to be approved by the European Parliament and European Council.

An implementing regulation on common minimum standards for deactivation of firearms is included in the package, which sets out common and strict criteria on the way member states must deactivate weapons.

This regulation will be published immediately in the official journal and will enter into force after three months.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: "The recent terrorist attacks on Europe's people and values were coordinated across borders, showing we must work together to resist these threats."

"Today's proposal will help us tackle the threat of weapons falling into the hands of terrorists. We are proposing stricter controls on sale and registration of firearms, and stronger rules to irrevocably deactivate weapons," said Juncker.

He added the EU would come forward with an action plan in the near future to tackle illicit arms trafficking. Endit