A chiaroscuro reform
Regarding the approval of the revision of regulation 258/12 [aimed at the illicit manufacturing and trafficking of firearms, their parts and components and ammunition, ed.], which took place today in the European Parliament with 537 votes in favor (compared to 40 against and 28 abstentions), ANPAM – National association of producers of weapons and ammunition for civilian use – considers the reform in chiaroscuro, aiming this revision to optimize and streamline the regulatory system. Through this review, the aim will therefore be to harmonize the regulation at a European level, filling gaps and responding to new needs on public safety issues and guaranteeing greater adherence to international regulations.
The critical issues highlighted
ANPAM actively followed the debate in all its phases, initially engaging with the European Commission called to publish a proposal for modification and subsequently entertaining a constructive dialogue with all the national and European institutions involved. In the face of opposition from the sector regarding some aspects, the critical issues highlighted by ANPAM to the institutions, and which were then removed, concerned the request for the final use certificate for the export of products, not applicable to the sector represented by Association - as it does not export to governments and police forces, but to importers and private armories in possession of licenses issued by governments - and the request for the application of the rules on the export of military weapons to the majority of civilian products contained in the EU Common military list, even if exported to non-governmental entities.
Telematic systems
ANPAM also believes that the decision to require that all procedures be carried out using telematic systems is inconsistent with that of extending the maximum duration of the procedures for issuing import and export licences, in an excess of bureaucracy which will lead to times incompatible with the dynamics specific to international markets. A similar measure, due to the request of some member states without industries in the sector or with less structured administrations, if applied to producing countries, would undermine the competitiveness of European companies, with real risks of losing important market shares. Following the approval, the President, Lawyer Giovanni B. Ghini, declared: “ANPAM thanks all the political and institutional interlocutors who made themselves available for discussion to define sustainable and feasible solutions to protect the national production sector and European." (source: FIDC).