The Working Party on Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters (COPEN) is scheduled to meet on 3 September 2026 in Brussels to examine a Presidency note on the proposed Directive on combating firearms trafficking and amending Directive (EU) 2024/1260. The meeting, set for 10:00 at the Europa Building, will focus on the Presidency text (document 11656/26, to be issued) as the main agenda item, followed by other business.
No prior coverage of this file exists in the last 180 days. The proposal aims to strengthen EU rules against firearms trafficking, building on the existing Directive (EU) 2024/1260. The COPEN working party, composed of member state experts, will scrutinise the Presidency's draft before the text advances to higher Council bodies. The meeting format is restricted to one delegate per member state plus one accompanying expert (1+1). Delegations must register via the Delegates Portal, where Council documents are available; room attendants can provide copies on request.
The examination of the Presidency note marks a procedural step in the legislative process. Following the working party's review, the proposal is expected to be discussed by the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) and subsequently adopted by the Council, subject to the European Parliament's involvement under the ordinary legislative procedure. The directive aims to harmonise criminal sanctions and improve cross-border cooperation against firearms trafficking, impacting national law enforcement agencies, firearms manufacturers, and legal firearms owners across the EU.