Find Gun Policy Facts

Armed violence prevention, gun control laws and the small arms trade:

Research Supported By

Credit JRCT

Go To ..

European Union — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law

The European Council Weapons Directive (below) sets minimum standards agreed by the European Union. For individual EU countries, select from the 'Go To' menu
expand all collapse all

TransfersGun Trade and Trafficking

Compare
Regulation of Firearm Exports

In the European Union, firearm and ammunition exports are limited by transfer control law 1 2 3 4

Compare
Regulation of Firearm Imports

In the European Union, firearm and ammunition imports are limited by transfer control law 1 2 3 4

Compare
Regulation of Arms Brokers

In the European Union, the activities of arms brokers and transfer intermediaries are specifically regulated by law5

MeasuresGun Regulation

Compare
Firearm Regulation - Guiding Policy

The regulation of guns in the European Union is categorised as restrictive6

Firearm Law

Guiding gun control legislation in the European Union includes the European Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons7 8

Firearm Regulation Authority

Guns in the European Union are regulated by the European Commission8

Compare
Prohibited Firearms and Ammunition

In the European Union, civilians are not allowed to possess automatic firearms, firearms disguised as other objects, and armour-piercing, incendiary and expanding ammunition9 10

Compare
Regulation of Automatic Assault Weapons

In the European Union, private possession of fully automatic weapons is prohibited9 10

Compare
Regulation of Semiautomatic Assault Weapons

In the European Union, private possession of semi-automatic assault weapons is permitted only with special authorisation11 12 10

Compare
Regulation of Handguns

In the European Union, private possession of handguns (pistols and revolvers) is permitted only with special authorisation9 11 12 10

Compare
Gun Owner Licensing

In the European Union, only licensed gun owners13 9 11 may lawfully acquire, possess or transfer a firearm or ammunition

Compare
Genuine Reason Required for Firearm Licence

Applicants for a gun owner’s licence in the European Union are required to prove genuine reason to possess a firearm, for example, hunting, shooting14

Compare
Minimum Age for Firearm Possession

The minimum age for gun ownership in the European Union is 18 years14

Compare
Gun Owner Background Checks

An applicant for a firearm licence in the European Union must pass background checks which consider criminal and various other14 records

Compare
Limit on Quantity, Type of Ammunition

A licensed firearm owner in the European Union is permitted to possess only ammunition suitable for the intended firearm15

Firearm Registration

Compare
Civilian Gun Registration

In the European Union, the law requires16 that a record of the acquisition, possession and transfer of each privately held firearm be retained in an official register

Compare
Gun Dealer Record Keeping

In the European Union, licensed firearm dealers are required16 to keep a record of each firearm or ammunition purchase, sale or transfer on behalf of a regulating authority

Gun Sales and Transfers

Compare
Regulation of Dealer Gun Sales

In the European Union, dealing in firearms by way of business without a valid gun dealer’s licence is unlawful17 12

Marking and Tracing Guns and Ammunition

Compare
Firearm Marking

In the European Union, a unique identifying mark on each firearm is required by law18

Compare
Firearm Tracing

In the European Union, state authorities carry out18 16 recognised arms tracing and tracking procedures

Short References

1.

European Council.1991.‘Article 11.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2414)Full Citation

2.

European Council.1991.‘Article 12.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2415)Full Citation

3.

European Council.1991.‘Article 13.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2416)Full Citation

4.

European Council.1991.‘Article 14.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2417)Full Citation

5.

European Council.1991.‘Article 4b.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2408)Full Citation

6.

Newton, George D and Franklin E Zimring.1969.‘Firearm Licensing: Permissive v Restrictive.’ Firearms & Violence in American Life: A Staff Report submitted to the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence.Washington, DC:US Government Printing Office,1 January. (Q22)Full Citation

7.

European Council.1991.‘European Weapons Directive.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2403)Full Citation

8.

European Council.1991.‘Article 18.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2418)Full Citation

9.

European Council.1991.‘Article 6.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2410)Full Citation

10.

European Council.1991.‘Annex 1.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2419)Full Citation

11.

European Council.1991.‘Article 7.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2411)Full Citation

12.

European Council.1991.‘Article 8.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2412)Full Citation

13.

European Council.1991.‘Article 4a.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2407)Full Citation

14.

European Council.1991.‘Article 5.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2409)Full Citation

15.

European Council.1991.‘Article 10.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2413)Full Citation

16.

European Council.1991.‘Article 4.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2406)Full Citation

17.

European Council.1991.‘Article 4.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2405)Full Citation

18.

European Council.1991.‘Article 4.’ Council Directive of 18 June 1991 on Control of the Acquisition and Possession of Weapons (91/477/EEC) [current to 2008 amendments].Brussels:Council of the European Communities,18 June. (Q2404)Full Citation