BASC has provided a Q&A in response to the Internal Market Committee (IMCO) steering through suggested changes to European Commission amendments to the firearms directive.
If passed into European law as expected this autumn, this updated directive will largely focus on closing loopholes around deactivated and imitation firearms. The effect of these changes will ensure amendments which would have damaged shooting in the UK are not taken forward.
The Q&A clarifies concerns around potential legislation for deactivated firearms, firearm modification and medical requirements.
Bill Harriman, BASC’s director of firearms, said: “We have provided succinct explanations of how these proposed changes affect our members. One of the biggest issues confronting those wanting to shoot in the UK is the mire of poorly written, difficult to interpret legislation.”
Peter Glenser, BASC chairman and a barrister specialising in firearms law, said: “It is vital to close loopholes which allow firearms to fall into the hands of those who would misuse them. But we must also make sure those who shoot for a living, or for sport, are not unfairly penalised. To that end, BASC will always fight tooth and nail to represent the best interests of our membership and shooting, whether that’s in the UK or Europe.”
