Precise figures about the numbers of illegal firearms in the European Union (EU) are lacking, but several indicators point to their widespread availability and accessibility. According to the Small Arms Survey, over half of the estimated total number of firearms held by civilians in the EU in 2017 were unlicensed. While most of these citizens had no criminal intentions, their illicit firearms could be used for self-harm or domestic violence, or end up in the hands of criminals or terrorists. Firearms seizures suggest that the EU illicit firearms market is made up mostly of shotguns, pistols and rifles, with converted or convertible weapons also frequently appearing. Illicit firearms trafficking is driven by criminal demand, with organised crime groups that engage in firearms trafficking also involved in other forms of criminality.

EPRS policy podcast - Understanding EU policy on firearms trafficking

Plenary session week 37 2017 in Strasbourg - Arms export : implementation of Common Position

SEDE Workshop on ' Implementation of the EU arms export control system '

SEDE Subcommittee - The future of conventional arms control in Europe - Exchange of views

Press conference: ' Revision of the EU gun law - outcome of the vote in plenary '

Plenary session week 11 2017 in Strasbourg - Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons

EP Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. Press point  following the vote on Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons

EP Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection - Vote on Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons

gunsho, arms, guns, repair shop, gunsmith

Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons

Greens Demonstration against firearms use at the European Parliament in march 1987

Precise figures about the numbers of illegal firearms in the European Union (EU) are lacking, but several indicators point to their widespread availability and accessibility. According to the Small Arms Survey, over half of the estimated total number of firearms held by civilians in the EU in 2017 were unlicensed. While most of these citizens had no criminal intentions, their illicit firearms could be used for self-harm or domestic violence, or end up in the hands of criminals or terrorists. Most criminals and terrorists have more sophisticated ways to get hold of illicit firearms. They can be trafficked from source countries, diverted from legal supply chains, illegally manufactured or assembled in the EU, converted from legally available weapons, or sourced on the internet... ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - 5 facts about firearms trafficking

During the EP plenary session (13 - 16 March 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate about the report by Vicky FORD (ECR, UK) on the control of the acquisition and possession of weapons. Statements by Vicky FORD (ECR, UK), Bodil VALERO (Greens/EFA, SE), Julian KING, Member of the EC in charge of the Security Union, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), Sergio Gaetano COFFERATI (S&D, IT), Dita CHARANZOVA (ALDE, CZ) and Jiri MASTALKA (GUE/NGL, CZ).

Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons: extracts from the debate

During the EP plenary session (13 - 16 March 2017) in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on the report by Vicky FORD (ECR, UK) on the Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons. Interventions by Dita CHARANZOVA (ALDE, CZ), Vicky FORD (ECR, UK), Rapporteur, and Antonio TAJANI, EP President. The results are: 491 in favour, 178 against, 28 abstentions. The report is adopted.
This video also contains illustrative material

Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons: extracts from the vote on the report by Vicky FORD (ECR, UK) and B-roll (illustration)

Meeting of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection&nbsp;in the EP in Brussels. Vote on Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons and statement by Vicky FORD (ECR, UK)

Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons: extracts from the vote and statement by Vicky FORD (ECR, UK)

Illustrations in a gun shop with customers, arms, guns, repair shop, gunsmith

Infoclip: Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (Firearms Directive): Gun Shop

<p>Meeting of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer protection (IMCO) in the EP in Brussels on the&nbsp;control of the acquisition and possession of weapons. Vote on the report by Vicky FORD (ECR,GB) -</p>

Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons: extracts from the vote on the report by Vicky FORD (ECR,GB) - Committee on Internal Market and Consumer protection

Meeting of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection on the Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons, a report by Vicky FORD (ECR, UK), in the EP in Brussels. Statements by Vicky FORD (ECR, UK), Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT (EPP, SE), Sergio Gaetano COFFERATI (S&amp;D, IT), Dita CHARANZOV&Aacute; (ALDE, CZ) and Pascal DURAND (Greens/EFA, FR)&nbsp;

Control of the acquisition and possession of weapons: extracts from the debate on the report by Vicky FORD (ECR, UK)

This infoclip illustrates guns and heavy weapons in a World War II museum in La Wantzenau (France)

firearms directive (T)

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