Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

EU Moves Forward with Plan to Restrict Semi-Autos

Friday, June 24, 2016

EU Moves Forward with Plan to Restrict Semi-Autos

While perhaps not the most publicized recent development regarding the European Union, in recent weeks the political bloc has pushed forward with its plans to severely curtail gun rights across its 27 member states. On June 10, the European Council endorsed a version of the proposed changes to the European Firearms Directive pushed by the European Commission late last year in the wake of terrorist violence. The European Parliament still has a chance to weigh in on the issue, with a final vote scheduled for later this year.

In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris, the EU’s quasi-legislative (and simultaneously executive) branch, the European Commission, expedited plans to set new minimum gun control thresholds for its member states. The centerpiece of the new restrictions is a provision that severely restricts civilian ownership and use of semi-automatic firearms, by placing many of these types of guns in the same category as fully-automatic firearms. Other proposed changes include a new rule placing a five-year limit on firearm license validity, and a requirement for a medical examination for prospective license holders.

The European Commission adopted the proposed changes to EU firearms law on November 18, 2015. The measure is now being considered by the European Parliament, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO), led by Chair Vicky Ford of the UK. The European Council, is not a legislative body, but “sets the EU’s policy agenda,” and as such, its decisions can have a significant effect on ongoing legislative efforts. For an overview of the EU’s byzantine legislative procedure, click here.

While Dutch Justice Minister and European Council President Ard van der Steur has touted the European Council’s position as a “fair balance between an internal market for allowed firearms on the one hand and enhancing the security of EU citizens on the other,” the most onerous of the European Commission’s restrictions remain intact, or in some cases have been elaborated upon.

The European Council proposal curtails civilian ownership of semi-automatic handguns and long-guns by placing the following types of firearms and magazines into the same regulatory category as fully-automatic weapons:

short firearms which allow the firing of more than 21 rounds without reloading, if a loading device with a capacity exceeding 20 rounds is part of the firearm or is inserted into it

 

long firearms which allow the firing of more than 11 rounds without reloading, if

a loading device with a capacity exceeding 10 rounds is part of the firearm or is

inserted into it.

 

Loading devices, apt to be fitted to centre fire semi-automatic or to repeating firearms, with the following characteristics:

a) loading devices which can hold more than 20 rounds;

b) loading devices for long firearms which can hold more than 10 rounds.


The proposal provides narrow exemptions for owning these firearms. In order to acquire and possess these firearms, gun owners would need to meet the EU’s definition of a valid “target shooter.” Under the proposal, there are several criteria an individual must satisfy to be considered a “target shooter,” including the following:

a satisfactory comprehensive medical and psychological assessment of the target shooter's reliability… 

provision of proof that the target shooter is participating in shooting competitions recognised by an official shooting sport organisation of that Member State or by an internationally established and officially recognised shooting sport federation

a certificate from an officially recognized shooting sport organisation confirming that:

i. the target shooter is a member of a shooting club and, has been regularly practising target shooting in it for at least twelve months, and

ii. the firearm is necessary for a shooting discipline recognised by an internationally established and officially recognised shooting sport federation 

There is also a minor exemption to the semi-automatic restrictions for countries that employ a militia system for national defense, which would to allow for civilians to possess a firearm used during their term of service.

While various countries have taken issue with certain aspects of the legislation, the Czech Republic and Poland have been staunch opponents of EU efforts to further curtail the rights of their citizens. In a Reuters article published just prior to the European Council adopting their position, Czech Interior Minister Josef Chovanec expressed his concerns. Chovanec noted, “We do not have a problem with the directive as a whole, but we will want to rework it so it does not amount to disarming Czech citizens.” An official with Czech gun rights group LEX, described his countrymen’s opposition to the restrictions by describing a phenomenon that has also been observed in the U.S. The official told Reuters, “Sales of weapons that may be banned are not falling but growing… [t]hose people are certainly not buying them in order to hand them over after the ban.”

As previously noted, it is still up to the European Parliament whether to accept or reject the European Commission’s and European Council’s proposals, or to amend them. On June 14, the European Parliament’s IMCO debated amendments to the current proposals. To date over 1,000 amendments to the legislation have been offered.

According to a media account of the meeting, some committee members described the current legislation as “unworkable,” and Ford contended, “The first text from the Commission was poorly worded and we need to make sure that the legislation is practicable.” MEP Philippe Juvin of France registered his concerns for law-abiding gun owners, stating, “Hunters and shooters are not terrorists. They don't commit terrorist acts and we shouldn't be making life more difficult for these people. What we should be doing is terrorizing the terrorists.” MEP Roberta Metsola of Malta expressed a similar sentiment, cautioning against a “knee jerk” reaction to terror, and noting, “We have to ensure that people like shooters and hunters do not become targets themselves.”

IMCO is set to vote on amendments to the European Commission’s proposal on July 14. Following IMCO’s input, the European Parliament is set to vote on the legislation November 22.

MEP Pascal Durand of France described the current parliamentary battle over gun control as “one of the most sensitive” of the term. The comment reveals that gun owners, regardless of nationality, are a motivated group that cherishes our rights. The concern voiced by several MEPs tasked with scrutinizing the European Commission’s oppressive proposal is encouraging and will hopefully lead to a less restrictive piece of legislation, or an outright rejection of the Commission’s proposal.

TRENDING NOW
U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

U.K. Moves to Legally De-suppress Suppressors

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

U.K. Moves to Legally De-suppress Suppressors

On July 4th, President Donald Trump signed into law his “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which included a provision that eliminated the tax stamp fee of $200, but did not deregulate suppressors under the National Firearms ...

Baltimore Gets Serious on Crime Control, and the Results Speak for Themselves

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

Baltimore Gets Serious on Crime Control, and the Results Speak for Themselves

As the mid-year mark of 2025 hits, a promising report on crime trends has come out of the City of Baltimore. Surprising news at first glance until you dig deeper into the policy direction the ...

House Annual Appropriations Process Update

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

House Annual Appropriations Process Update

As the House Appropriations Committee is putting together legislation to fund the government, NRA-ILA has worked closely with policy makers to ensure several long-standing priorities for gun owners were included in the underlying bills.

Legacy Media Finally Acknowledges Politization of Public Health

News  

Monday, July 14, 2025

Legacy Media Finally Acknowledges Politization of Public Health

It appears the editors of The Atlantic are finally willing to entertain an idea that has long been obvious to gun rights supporters.

NRA and 2A Allies Announce NFA Lawsuit

Monday, July 7, 2025

NRA and 2A Allies Announce NFA Lawsuit

Following the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—which eliminates the National Firearms Act of 1934’s (NFA) excise tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and AOWs—the National Rifle Association issued a joint statement along with the ...

Congress Passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Now Headed to President Trump

News  

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Congress Passes the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Now Headed to President Trump

Earlier today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This bill contained a provision that would, among other things, eliminate the burdensome $200 excise tax imposed by federal law on suppressors, short-barreled firearms, ...

NRA-ILA July 2025 Litigation Update

Thursday, July 10, 2025

NRA-ILA July 2025 Litigation Update

In the second quarter of 2025, the National Rifle Association filed two cert petitions in the U.S. Supreme Court and five amicus briefs, while continuing to litigate dozens of ongoing lawsuits across the country.

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

Thursday, July 10, 2025

DOJ Declines to Seek Supreme Court Review of Decision Striking Down Federal Laws Prohibiting FFLs From Selling Handguns to 18-to-20-Year-Olds

In Reese v. ATF, the Fifth Circuit held that 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(b)(1) and (c)(1)—which together forbid Federal Firearms Licensees from selling handguns to 18-to-20-year-olds—violate the Second Amendment.

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Monday, July 7, 2025

Florida: Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday Signed by Governor

Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed the Florida Budget for Fiscal Year 2025–2026, which includes a Second Amendment sales tax holiday from September 8 through December 31, 2025. The NRA is thankful for Governor DeSantis’ strong ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.