In a written answer on 26 June 2026, Commissioner Magnus Brunner detailed the European Commission's actions to strengthen the EU framework against illegal possession of weapons, responding to a parliamentary question from Nikos Pappas (The Left). The answer highlights the Commission's enforcement of existing rules and a new legislative proposal to tackle firearms trafficking.
Brunner noted that the Commission has assessed Member States' transposition of Directive (EU) 2021/555 on control of weapons, issuing 26 infringement procedures for incorrect transposition, including rules on marking and information exchange. The details of ongoing infringements remain confidential until procedures conclude. The Commission also pointed to Europol's Analysis Project Weapons and Explosives, which identifies threats and supports Member States with operational and forensic assistance.
On 26 February 2026, the Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on combating firearms trafficking and related offences (COM (2026) 102 final). The proposal requires Member States to register all seized firearms using a minimum dataset and share this data with Europol, improving trend identification and trafficking route analysis. It also mandates the establishment of a National Firearms Focal Point in each Member State. Additionally, the proposal criminalises the dissemination of blueprints for 3D printing firearms, making such content illegal under the Digital Services Act, which can be used to tackle darknet dissemination.
The answer provides concrete data on enforcement actions and a clear legislative timeline, signalling the Commission's intent to tighten controls. Stakeholders impacted include national authorities (facing new obligations), law enforcement agencies (gaining better data and coordination tools), and the firearms industry (potential compliance costs). The proposal also affects online platforms, which must remove illegal 3D printing blueprints under the Digital Services Act. The Commission's approach balances security improvements with operational burdens on Member States, while offering no immediate new funding or timelines for implementation.