EU Proposal 2015/0269 to amend the firearms directive.
Usual note- 1.this legal issue is not connected to the Policing and Crime Bill, it is a separate legal issue. 2. We are fully affected by firearms directive changes as we’re still in the EU and will still be in the EU when (if) a revised directive is implemented. 3. We, the European airsoft community, have gained astonishing ground (12 months ago this proposal was bringing the end of our hobby, the ban of airsoft replicas in Europe, full stop) but this situation is still not over, not at all.
Our parent federation European Airsoft Association has not heard any bad news about airsoft from the trilogue process. Hopefully that means airsoft, replicas and BFGs are still in the clear, as per the amendments from the European parliament which the EAA helped write (some of which was based on feedback from UKAPU members via UKAPU actually).
The trilogues were held last month but it seems that there is still little agreement between the Parliament, Commision and Council. The parliament vote (on the final draft) which was scheduled for November 22nd is suspended. A new date has yet to be set.
There are other talks going on about de-acts and firearms and the EAA will send representatives for airsoft where required.
Catch up on the history of Proposal 2015/0269 here http://www.ukapu.org.uk/category/legal-issues/eu-firearms-directive/
Matt Furey-King,
Chair UKAPU