{"id":1997,"date":"2016-12-13T18:10:49","date_gmt":"2016-12-13T17:10:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/firearms-united.com\/?p=1997"},"modified":"2017-02-19T18:15:13","modified_gmt":"2017-02-19T17:15:13","slug":"letter-vicky-ford-member-parliaments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/letter-vicky-ford-member-parliaments\/","title":{"rendered":"Letter by Vicky Ford to Member of Parliaments"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"qtranxs-available-languages-message qtranxs-available-languages-message-de\">Leider ist der Eintrag nur auf <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1997\" class=\"qtranxs-available-language-link qtranxs-available-language-link-en\" title=\"English\">Amerikanisches Englisch<\/a> verf\u00fcgbar. Der Inhalt wird unten in einer verf\u00fcgbaren Sprache angezeigt. Klicken Sie auf den Link, um die aktuelle Sprache zu \u00e4ndern.<\/p><strong>We recieved today the information, that Vicky Ford has sent a letter to MEPs. We copied this letter from <a href=\"http:\/\/pastebin.com\/YspX1JgB\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>\u00a0and asked our sources for verification. It is confirmed that rapporteur Vicky Ford wrote the letter. She tweeted that she is moving towards an agreement that is close to the Parliament position, which however would move IPSC guns to Cat. A<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"x-embed x-is-rich x-is-twitter\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Helpful meeting with my colleagues on firearms &#8211; moving to an agreement that upholds vast majority of parliament approach <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7UMZoQj9oF\">pic.twitter.com\/7UMZoQj9oF<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Vicky Ford MP (@vickyford) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/vickyford\/status\/808644624919175168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 13, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<p><strong>Only Dita Charanzova (ALDE) is not enthusiastic.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"x-embed x-is-rich x-is-twitter\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I do not share the enthusiasm of fellow MEPs, I find possible agreement very problematic and not workable! <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bh7NGSBHHk\">https:\/\/t.co\/bh7NGSBHHk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Dita Charanzov\u00e1 (@charanzova) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/charanzova\/status\/808659520243302401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 13, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<p><strong>We do not approve, neither:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"x-embed x-is-rich x-is-twitter\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">If MSR rifles go to A <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/EUgunban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#EUgunban<\/a> -ned weapons), no exeption will help! Airlines, cargo shippers, ferries, train etc. won&#39;t transport them <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NruvbWzOUK\">https:\/\/t.co\/NruvbWzOUK<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Katja Triebel (@KatjaTriebel) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KatjaTriebel\/status\/808680852536393728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 13, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<h1>Here the letter<\/h1>\n<p>Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>I thought it would be helpful to provide a detailed update on the Firearms\u00a0Directive.<\/p>\n<p>European laws on firearms have been in place since 1991. Certain weaknesses and\u00a0failings of the existing Directive came to light in the aftermath of recent\u00a0terrorist attacks. Last November the Commission proposed a revision, however the\u00a0reforms were not balanced or workable for the legitimate gun holder. There was\u00a0no majority in the Parliament committee to reject outright the Commission\u00a0proposals. Therefore the Parliament has been going through an amendment process\u00a0which I have been leading as rapporteur. There is now an agreement in principle\u00a0on key elements.<\/p>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>The Directive sets out the conditions under which private persons may\u00a0lawfully acquire and possess guns or transfer them to another EU country. The\u00a0Directive also sets requirements for marking and keeping and sharing of\u00a0registers.<\/p>\n<p>Firearm types are defined as Category A,B or C. Category A firearms are\u00a0prohibited except for certain types of individuals, Category B firearms need an\u00a0\u201cauthorisation\u201d, and owners of Category C firearms need to declare their\u00a0ownership but do not need authorisation.<\/p>\n<h2>Salute and Acoustic Firearms<\/h2>\n<p>The previous treatment of so called \u201csalute and\u00a0acoustic firearms\u201d raised security concerns. These are working firearms\u00a0converted to fire blanks. Under the existing Directive in certain countries\u00a0these could be sold without authorisations and some were easily re-converted to<br \/>\nlive firearms. This type of firearm was used in Paris terrorist attacks. A cache\u00a0of over 30 were discovered in the UK in 2015.<\/p>\n<p>The rules covering these firearms will now be tightened. Going forward any\u00a0firearm which has been converted to fire blanks must remain licensed under the\u00a0same rules as its original live-firing version.<\/p>\n<h2>Deactivated Firearms<\/h2>\n<p>In order to strengthen deactivation regimes, the European\u00a0Commission introduced a new \u00a0Deactivation Regulation which came into force in\u00a0April 2016. This sets a single standard for deactivation of firearms. However\u00a0technical implementation issues have arisen and some countries are concerned\u00a0that the new standard is less secure than their previous national regime.<\/p>\n<p>Following pressure from the Parliament, the European Commission has now\u00a0re-convened a Working Group of Experts from the European Member States to review\u00a0the Regulation. The Commission has committed that a revision will be completed\u00a0by early 2017.<\/p>\n<p>Introduction of the Deac-Reg caused problems for legitimate holders of\u00a0deactivated firearms such as historical re-enactors and those involved in film\u00a0making etc, as it prohibits them from selling or transferring across borders any\u00a0items deactivated prior to April 2016 unless the items are re-deactivated to the\u00a0new standard, which is not technically possible in many cases.<\/p>\n<p>Following\u00a0pressure from the Parliament there will now be a process to assess national\u00a0standards in use prior to April 2016. If the standards are accepted by the\u00a0Working Group and Commission as \u201cequivalent\u201d then items deactivated to that\u00a0previous regime will be able to be bought, sold and transferred without\u00a0requiring further modification.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission proposed that all deactivated firearms would become subject to\u00a0the same registration and authorisation procedures as firearms. This was\u00a0rejected. Instead the negotiations agreed that newly deactivated firearms should\u00a0be categorised in Category C and need to be declared to national authorities\u00a0while this would not apply to existing deactivated firearms.<\/p>\n<h2>Category A<\/h2>\n<p>The Commission\u2019s original proposal added: Category A6 \u201cAutomatic\u00a0firearms which have been converted into semi-automatic firearms\u201c and Category A7\u00a0\u201cSemi-automatic firearms for civilian use which resemble weapons with automatic\u00a0mechanisms\u201d<\/p>\n<p>These were both rejected by the Parliament. There is experience that\u00a0categorising items based on the subjectivity of \u201cresemblance\u201d creates legal\u00a0uncertainty.<\/p>\n<h3>Category A6<\/h3>\n<p>The Parliament\u2019s initial committee approach was that \u201cAutomatic firearms which\u00a0have been converted into semi-automatic firearms\u201d should remain in Category B if\u00a0the conversion was irreversible and be in Category A only if the conversion was\u00a0reversible. The Parliament proposed that the Commission should develop new\u00a0technical standards to define which conversions were irreversible. However, the\u00a0Commission was not prepared to accept responsibility for preparing technical\u00a0specifications on these conversions.<\/p>\n<p>To reach agreement negotiators representing the majority of the Parliament\u00a0conceded that automatic firearms converted into semi-automatic firearms should\u00a0be Category A but added new authorisation procedures so that, at the discretion\u00a0of the Member State, reservists, target shooters and others with special\u00a0licences would be permitted to hold these. In addition a grandfathering clause\u00a0is added so that existing owners can continue to own, transfer, inherit or sell\u00a0these firearms to others who have appropriate authorisation. Again this is at\u00a0the discretion of the Member State.<\/p>\n<h3>Category A7<\/h3>\n<p>Instead of using \u201cresemblance\u201d criteria both Parliament and Council\u00a0proposed to add to Category A semi-automatic centre-fire firearms when a\u00a0high-capacity loading device is fitted. Firearms have been categorised\u00a0depending upon loading capacity already in the current Directive, and the new\u00a0rules extend this approach. This only affects firearms which use centre-fire\u00a0and not rimfire percussion ammunition.<\/p>\n<p>The categorisation applies when the firearm and magazine is in combination\u00a0together, and does not depend merely on whether the firearms is capable of\u00a0having a higher capacity magazine inserted. This has been made explicit in the\u00a0text for adoption.<\/p>\n<p>Following lengthy negotiations, it was agreed that for long firearms exceeding\u00a060 cm a magazine with a capacity greater than 10 rounds would be restricted,\u00a0while for a short firearm the limit would be at 20 rounds.<\/p>\n<p>Member States will be able to give authorisations for reservists, target\u00a0shooters and others with special licences for these firearms. As for those\u00a0firearms that now fall under Category A6, there is a grandfathering clause.<\/p>\n<h3>Status of magazines\/ loading devices<\/h3>\n<p>Law enforcement authorities in certain\u00a0countries pressed hard for restrictions on higher capacity magazines. The\u00a0Council approach was to prohibit their possession but this was rejected by the\u00a0Parliament as it was considered impractical to enforce. Instead it was agreed\u00a0that future acquisitions of loading devices will depend upon showing a valid and\u00a0appropriate license, as is already the case for ammunition, so only those with\u00a0authorisation to hold category A firearms will be permitted to acquire high\u00a0capacity magazines.<\/p>\n<p>People who are found in possession of a high capacity magazine after a\u00a0transition period and who do not have a category A authorisation will risk\u00a0having their authorisation to hold firearms removed.<\/p>\n<h3>Special provisions for ownership<\/h3>\n<p>Member states will be able to give Category A\u00a0authorisations to individuals for the protection of the security of critical\u00a0infrastructure, commercial shipping, high-value convoys and sensitive premises,\u00a0as well as for national defence, educational, cultural, research and historical\u00a0purposes<\/p>\n<h4>Museums and collectors:<\/h4>\n<p>Member states will be able to give Category A\u00a0authorisations to recognised museums and in exceptional and duly reasoned cases\u00a0to collectors, subject to strict security measures. The collection of ammunition\u00a0is permitted.<\/p>\n<h4>Target shooters:<\/h4>\n<p>Member states will be able to give Category A authorisations\u00a0to target shooters provided the individual is actively practising for or\u00a0participating in shooting competitions. We have worked closely with the\u00a0International Practical Shooting Confederation to ensure that the authorisation\u00a0covers those entering the sport as well as those already competing. The current\u00a0freedom of choice of equipment used by competitors in their shooting disciplines\u00a0is not restricted. To facilitate continued participation in international\u00a0competitions the rules governing the European Firearms Pass will be updated to\u00a0cover firearms, including Category A firearms, held by such target shooters.<\/p>\n<h4>Reservists:<\/h4>\n<p>Armed forces, the police and the public authorities are outside the\u00a0scope. The provisions for authorisation for national defence also enables Member\u00a0States to issue reservists with firearms.<\/p>\n<h4>Switzerland:<\/h4>\n<p>Language is introduced to cover the Swiss system based on general\u00a0conscription which enables the transfer of military firearms to persons leaving\u00a0the army.<\/p>\n<h4>Film industry:<\/h4>\n<p>Many film productions in Europe use firearms including\u00a0deactivated firearms, purpose-built blank firing firearms as well as live\u00a0firearms, usually firing blanks, all depending on the nature of the production.\u00a0The Commission initial proposals would have jeopardised this but the Parliament\u00a0text has re-instated the ability for special authorisations for the film<br \/>\nindustry under strict controls.<\/p>\n<h4>Re-enactors:<\/h4>\n<p>The European Firearms Pass enables legitimate owners to move\u00a0firearms across borders. This has been updated to assist historical re-enators.<\/p>\n<h4>Private modifications:<\/h4>\n<p>Hand-loading and reloading of ammunition will remain\u00a0permitted. Modifications of firearms for private use are also still permitted by\u00a0private owners and not restricted only to dealers or brokers.<\/p>\n<h3>Medical systems<\/h3>\n<p>The existing law states that authorisations are only permitted\u00a0for those who \u201care not likely to be a danger to themselves or others\u201d. The\u00a0Commission suggested that medical tests should been needed for each\u00a0authorisation and these should be reviewed every five years. However\u00a0point-in-time medical tests are not necessarily effective. Instead it was\u00a0agreed that each Member State must have a monitoring system to assess relevant\u00a0medical and psychological information which they may operate on a continuous or\u00a0non-continuous basis. Authorisation will be withdrawn if any of the conditions\u00a0on which it was granted are no longer met, or may be renewed or prolonged if the\u00a0conditions are still fulfilled. Member States can decide whether or not the\u00a0assessment involves a prior medical or psychological test. This does not change\u00a0national approaches or introduce new EU-wide requirements for medical testing.<\/p>\n<h3>Marking, Registers and Information Sharing<\/h3>\n<p>The current law requires firearms to\u00a0be marked and registered so that each firearm can be linked to its owner. Law\u00a0enforcement and Europol noted the risk of sales of parts. Going forward the\u00a0essential components of a firearm also need to be marked and registered. To\u00a0avoid risk of confusion the main identifier will be the mark affixed to the\u00a0frame or receiver. The new marking requirements will not apply to existing\u00a0firearms. Firearms of historical importance may not need markings depending on\u00a0national law.<\/p>\n<p>To improve information sharing, dealers and brokers will need to inform national\u00a0authorities of transfers through electronic means and Member States will share\u00a0information on firearms held in their country.<\/p>\n<h3>Next steps<\/h3>\n<p>The provisional deal still needs to be confirmed by the EU member\u00a0states\u2019 permanent representatives (Coreper) and by Parliament\u2019s Internal Market\u00a0Committee. This is to happen towards the end of January 2017. The draft\u00a0directive would then be put to a vote by the full Parliament in a plenary\u00a0session in 2017 and formally approved by the EU Council of Ministers.<\/p>\n<p>It was proposed that Member States would have 15 months to transpose the new\u00a0rules into national legislation and 30 months to introduce new systems for\u00a0sharing of information. Members States may decide to suspend the requirement for\u00a0declaring deactivated weapons and prior category D firearms for 30 months from\u00a0the entry into force of the Directive.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks<\/p>\n<p>I would like to thank the many organisations who have assisted with technical\u00a0advice including International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC), The\u00a0European Federation of Associations for Hunting &amp; Conservation (FACE), The\u00a0Nordic Hunters\u2019 Alliance, Federation of European Societies of Arms Collectors\u00a0(FESAC), The Association of European Manufactures of Sporting Firearms, The\u00a0British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Deactivated Weapons\u00a0Association, Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association, The Royal\u00a0Armouries, the Imperial War Museums and the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and\u00a0Military History.<\/p>\n<p>With many thanks,<\/p>\n<p>Vicky Ford<br \/>\nVicky Ford MEP Chairman of Internal Market Committee","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Leider ist der Eintrag nur auf Amerikanisches Englisch verf\u00fcgbar. Der Inhalt wird unten in einer verf\u00fcgbaren Sprache angezeigt. Klicken Sie auf den Link, um die aktuelle Sprache zu \u00e4ndern.We recieved today the information, that Vicky Ford has sent a letter to MEPs. We copied this letter from here\u00a0and asked our sources for verification. It is confirmed that rapporteur Vicky Ford &#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/letter-vicky-ford-member-parliaments\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1550,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[164,120,41],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1997"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1997"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1997\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2036,"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1997\/revisions\/2036"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.firearms-united.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}