Allister raises EU firearm anomaly
30 November 2007
During a debate in the European Parliament on the acquisition and possession of weapons in the EU, Jim Allister MEP raised an anomaly in how current EU regulations are applied which is disadvantaging those promoting hunting holidays in Northern Ireland.
A European Firearms Pass exists for carrying weapons from one member state to another, but, uniquely within the EU, the UK police require production of the original of the Pass weeks in advance of a visit, whereas other countries accept production at the border. Thus, to come to the UK to hunt is much more burdensome for Europeans than to go elsewhere and, in consequence Northern Ireland and GB are losing out.
In highlighting this anomaly Jim Allister said:-
"I want to draw attention to the unequal way in which the European Firearms Pass operates in practice, particularly as it affects the hunting fraternity.
If the owner of a registered weapon wishes to go hunting in another EU country he simply produces his Europass at his point of entry, but if he wants to enter the UK he must supply his original Europass in advance and then wait 6-8 weeks for it to be processed by the local police. Thus he is without his pass for that time and can't hunt in any third country in the meantime. There is no need for this bureaucracy, which is severely damaging the promotion of hunting holidays in the UK, including my constituency of Northern Ireland. Surely an advance photocopy of the pass should suffice.
I trust, therefore, that this anomaly will be addressed."
