On 20 September 2023, Member of the European Parliament Simone Schmiedtbauer (Simone Schmiedtbauer, Austria, EPP), Chair of the European Parliament Intergroup on Biodiversity, Hunting, Countryside, in cooperation with FACE, hosted an event in the European Parliament entitled “How the revision of Regulation 258/2012 on the import, export and transit measures for firearms will affect stakeholders”.

The opportunities and challenges regarding the European Commission's proposal to revise Reg. 258/2012, the “EU Firearms Regulation”, were discussed; it is currently being debated in the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA). The revision of the regulation has several objectives; on the one hand, the need to increase security when importing and exporting firearms to the EU. On the other hand, the facilitation of the legal trade of firearms to ensure a level playing field and reduce the administrative burden on businesses and firearm owners.

In her opening speech, S. Schmiedtbauer noted: “It is important that legislation is clear and consistent and does not create unnecessary burdens for those to whom it is addressed, in this case – hunters, sports shooters and businesses”.

MEP Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou (Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou, Greece, EPP), speaking on the issue, stressed: “It is estimated that around 35 million illegal firearms are owned by civilians in the EU, so it is vital to take action to address this dangerous problem. At the same time, we must ensure that this action does not come at the expense of legal users and owners and does not place an unnecessary burden upon them”.

The Secretary-General of the European Sporting Firearms Manufacturers Association (ESFAM), Olivier Van Herstraeten (Olivier Van Herstraeten), reminded: “Regulating the import, export and transit of firearms is crucial to fight their illicit trade; a goal we fully support. However, the rules must be proportionate, effective and consistent, without creating additional bureaucratic burdens for the industry”. O. Van Herstraeten highlighted several issues related to end-user certificates for the export of civilian firearms, import permits, and the marking of firearms for import into the EU and export to other markets.

All sports shooting, hunting, firearm collecting, trade and industry associations have agreed on a position regarding the revision of this regulation through the European Shooting Sports Forum (ESSF).