We are making some progress. However expect that there will be several more drafts to get through yet. Meanwhile here is a detailed update from the two committees LIBE and IMCO, but with summaries in each case for members ease of reference. Derek Stimpson The LIBE committee post vote opinion is attached. This is important because the LIBE vote includes the following amendments which were carried. I quote Stephen Petroni, the FESAC Chairman:- Identical Amendments 47-54 This LIBE vote completely vindicates our position that there is no proof that collectors are a source of trafficking or arms and that in consequence of that they should remain exempt.Deletion of Commission’s Recital 5: “(5) Since collectors have been identified as a possible source of traffic of firearms, they should be covered by this Directive.” (proposed by: Jussi Halla-aho, Richard Sulík, Tomáš Zdechovský, Anders Primdahl Vistisen, Kristina Winberg, Bernd Kölmel, Branislav Škripek, Beatrix von Storch, Hannu Takkula, Miriam Dalli, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Gérard Deprez, Louis Michel, Frank Engel, Cecilia Wikström, Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz, Fredrick Federley, Dita Charanzová, Petr Ježek, Emil Radev; Nuno Melo, Monika Hohlmeier, Roberta Metsola) Amendment 113 Reinstatement of collectors’ exemption: “2. This Directive shall not apply to the acquisition or possession of weapons and ammunition, in accordance with national law, by the armed forces, the police, the public authorities or by collectors and bodies concerned with the cultural and historical aspects of weapons and recognized as such by the Member State in whose territory they are established. Nor shall it apply to commercial transfers of products of the defence industry. (proposed by Jussi Halla-aho, Richard Sulík, Tomáš Zdechovský, Anders Primdahl Vistisen, Timothy Kirkhope, Kristina Winberg, Nuno Melo, Bernd Kölmel, Branislav Škripek, Beatrix von Storch, Roberta Metsola, Hannu Takkula plus a similar Amendment 115 by Miriam Dalli) We have won our first battle. Let us keep resolute to win the next vote in IMCO. Next a draft of IMCO’s latest report is attached. It is a considerable improvement and MEP Vicki Ford, the IMCO Rapporteur is to be congratulated. However as members will note there is still much work to be done. Key points (summarised by David Penn for BSSC) are:
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