EU parliament takes tough stance on convertible guns

MEPs have backed plans which are expected to severely restrict the circulation of firearms that can be converted into handguns.
 
It means that such weapons will in future be subject to the same strict minimum EU rules which currently apply to all firearms.
 
Some countries, such as the UK, currently ban firearms that can be converted into handguns, but today's decision means that severe restrictions on the supply and circulation of such weapons will apply throughout the EU.
 
The plenary in Brussels has today also endorsed a proposal to raise the age for obtaining firearms to 18, subject to certain conditions.
 
Deputies voted by 588 votes for the proposals, with just 14 against, and the European commission's directive is now expected to come into force across the EU by 2010.
 
The move to adopt stricter gun controls comes in the wake of a series of shootings, including an incident earlier this month when a student shot dead eight people at a school in Finland, where gun ownership is among the highest in the world.
 
UK Socialist MEP Arlene McCarthy, who drafted a report on the issue for parliament, said she was "delighted" the report had received such "overwhelming" support from her colleagues
 
McCarthy said the supply of guns to criminals had to be tackled and believes the vote shows the "strength of feeling" which currently exists on the issue of gun ownership.
 
She started her campaign when she discovered that almost half the weapons seized by her local police force had been converted after being imported from countries such as Germany as gas guns or blank-firing guns.
 
She acknowledges that it will always be difficult to stop people getting hold of guns if they are determined.
 
But she says that anyone with a criminal or mentally unstable background should face checks.

McCarthy added, "We have tough laws in the UK but without tougher controls in Europe these guns will continue to be brought in by criminals.

"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 and we owe it to them and their families to do everything we can to take these guns off our streets."
 
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 directive is expected to come into force by January 2008, with a transposition deadline by 2010.

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