E.U. leaders are considering new gun control laws. (Photo: Amio Cajander/Wikimedia)
E.U. leaders along with Prime Minister of the U.K. David Cameron are pushing for increased restrictions on semi-automatic rifles. European ministers of the interior have put together a proposal to restrict the purchase of semi-automatic guns. These restrictions may affect deactivated (non-functioning or partially-destroyed) guns. Deactivated guns are collected by military historians and gun enthusiasts in general.
“A terrorist threat in one country is a danger to all of us, so I believe there is more we must do together to tackle the threat,” said Cameron. Officials may be considering an “assault weapons”-style ban targeting specific firearms like AKs and ARs.
These guns can be modified or restored into their military counterparts in order to commit large-scale crimes, say the proposal’s supporters. Still, the proposal has opponents in the form of both E.U. member states and private gun owners.
The European Parliament has not yet passed the proposal. It does make exemptions for target shooters and museums. Objections from the Czech Republic and Finland have lead to early changes to the proposed ban. Both countries have strong gun cultures and large numbers of private gun owners.
Hunting groups and European filmmakers are also opposed to the restrictions. For now gun laws in Europe vary greatly from nation to nation and are only required to meet a minimum criteria to qualify for E.U. membership.
See Also: How Europe Turned Hunting into a ‘White Collar’ Sport
Some diplomats have reported that a final draft has already been completed, reports the Wall Street Journal. It may take months before any new restrictions are put in place. Compromises are also possible, which suggests that the measure doesn’t have as much support as E.U. leaders want.
The E.U. Observer adds that Switzerland, which is not a part of the E.U. but works with it on security issues, stands for more tolerant gun laws. Switzerland has a very high rate of private gun ownership and a prevailing militia system.
In 2014 leader of the UK’s Independence Party Nigel Farage, came out against England’s 30-year-old handgun ban. Farage called it both “knee-jerk” and “ludicrous.” His argument for ending the ban should be familiar to gun rights advocates around the world.
“If you criminalize handguns then only the criminals carry the guns,” said Farage, reported the Guardian. “It’s really interesting that since Blair brought that piece of law in, gun crime doubled in the next five years in this country.”
“I think the knee-jerk legislation that Blair brought in that meant that the British Olympic pistol team have to go to France to even practice was just crackers,” said Farage. “I think the ban on handguns is ludicrous.”
With the current upset in the status quo in Europe over Brexit, only time will tell how far E.U. leaders will be able to go with gun control laws.
Obamtima can ban trucks too now
How do you spell…”BREXIT”? Another in your face loss dealt to Barrack Hussein.
Every time I see a vehicle with a “MOLON LABE” sticker on it , my mind reads “Moron Aboard”. It seems to fit every time.
Believe Muslims us full auto- weapons so why the ban. They just want CONTROL PERIOD! The Idiots are worse than Hitler.
This, like everything from liberals is all about feeling good about themselves. It is not based on logical thought, and it doesn’t matter if the legislation accomplishes anything. Consider the way a liberal and a conservative respond to someone in need in their own neighborhood. A conservative might dip into his own pocket to buy someone a meal. He may even try to find the person a job. A liberal is too tight to donate any of his own money. He sees the solution as using the government to FORCE the rest of us to setup a “program”. It doesn’t matter if the “program” accomplishes anything. He has soothed his guilty conscience until the next time he feels guilty.
Liberalism is not just a mental disease. The practitioner takes no responsibility for his actions. He is a “free spirit”. To him, there is no sin.
They think like America’s Democrats. “The terrorists are coming. let’s disarm our citizens!”
Disarm everyone except for the damn Muslims? GFY
While they are at it, the EU countries should ban explosive vests like they just wore to blow up the Turkey airport! Oh wait, you say that explosive vests have always been illegal? Then how did the savages get three vests for the three terrorists? ‘Splain it to me, Lucy!
I’m sure Russia, and China will be more than willing to stop showering terrorists with AKs and outer full and semi-auto firearms. Are these idiots for real? That said, we all should recognize that there is a more sinister motive for the EUs attempt to disarm the populace. I suggest that this 4th of July, we sit down with our children and read to them the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. I doubt they are taught them in the government run school system anymore.
If you think after Europe passes this, your socialist, euro-wannabe President won’t be happy to try to put us right in line behind them, you are sadly mistaken. He is already trying to make us unwilling participants in the U.N.’s Small Arms Treaty.
FUCK COMMIE EUROPE . WE KICKED ASS OVER THERE ONCE . WE CAN DO IT AGAIN . KEEP YOUR SHIT PILE IDEAS OVER THERE . THIS IS the USA , NOT FRANCE… LOCKED & LOADED … MOLON LABE FUCKHEADS
Fuck Europe!!!!! They can all kiss my big white ass.
Bad gun, bad, bad. Good muslim, good, good. I think these losers have it backwards.
What was the point of starting our own country to be free (We even had people fight in a war and died…!!!!!) from tyranny if we join these stupid “unions” (ie, E.U. and U.N.) only to have our freedoms stripped?!?!?! We are NOT EUROPE!!!! We don’t want to be EUROPE!!!! The whole point of the war of Independence was to NOT BE EUROPE!!! Why would we desecrate the sacrifice that all those folks made for our freedoms by even entertaining the idea of being involved in one of these “unions” that would have us forfeit our rights??!!! Get back to the Constitution, PEOPLE!!!!!!!
This entire article is about European issues. This has nothing to do with American ones, no matter how closely they resemble each other.
To answer your question: the soft left has no ability to function without a nanny-state holding their hand through their entire life, and the EU is a shiny example of what they want for America.
I say good on UK for having the balls to stand up to it. Hope they do something good with it.