Study to support an Impact Assessment on a possible initiative related to improving rules on deactivation, destruction and marking procedures of firearms in the EU, as well as on alarm weapons and replicas

Being the security of citizens a key concern of the European Union (EU), and because of the potential of firearms to cause harm, the acquisition, possession and import/export of firearms for civilian use is subject to a comprehensive EU regulatory framework. However, gaps in the current legislation and shortcomings in its implementation at national level risk creating several vulnerabilities to criminal activity. This report, supporting an Impact Assessment study, investigates the possible actions for the improvement of rules on marking, deactivation and destruction of firearms, and the better regulation of alarm weapons (i.e. weapons designed to fire blank ammunitions) and replicas (imitation firearms) that can be easily convertible. The evidence collected during the study pointed out several threats that challenge EU citizens’ security and that need to be addressed, and some legal and administrative obstacles related to the effective and efficient implementation of the EU legislative framework. The result is the definition of a set of recommended actions, aimed at strengthening the understanding of rules to be applied to certain types of weapons, such as alarm weapons and replicas, and at promoting the further harmonization and effective implementation of the current legal framework on deactivation and marking of firearms in the EU.