Our Main Services
Institutional Defense
- Carries out actions in defense of the sector before the competent departments of the Ministry of Interior
- Manages relations with the Ministry of Science and Technology
- Coordinates with the State Secretary of Commerce and Central Arms Intervention
- Holds meetings with high political representatives of the country
Legal and Juridical Advisory
- Exercises legal defense of members against sanctions
- Protects against violations of collective rights
- Manages permits and licenses for members
- Provides specialized Legal Advisory services in the sector
International Representation
- Defends the arms sector before community instances
- Maintains presence in International Organizations
- Organizes group participation in International Fairs
- Coordinates Commercial Missions and relevant hunting events
EU Regulations on Arms Trade
Community legislation on arms guarantees compliance with this maxim and is worldwide the most complete and security-guaranteeing regulation.
Main Regulatory Framework
The EU Directive 91/477, amended by EU Directive 2008/51, effectively harmonizes the regulations of Member States on the acquisition and possession of civilian firearms.
Fundamental Requirements
- All firearms placed on the European market must have an identification number (indicating manufacturer, country or place of manufacture, serial number and year of manufacture)
- Must be properly registered in the name of their purchasers
- Professional operators (manufacturers, importers, dealers, repairers and brokers) must obtain administrative authorization
- Authorization is granted only when personal integrity and professional capacity of the applicant is accredited
- All professional operators must keep records of all firearms
- Records must be kept even after ceasing activity
- Each firearm is linked to its owner through public records
The result of all this, together with the culture of European users, allows that there is no flow of legal civilian arms to illegal arms trafficking.
EU Regulations on Arms Acquisition
In all Member States, the applicant for a license for the possession of a firearm must meet the following requirements:
General Prohibition - Category A (Prohibited Arms)
In the EU there is a general prohibition on possession of Category A arms:
- Launchers and other devices with explosive effect for military use
- Automatic firearms
- Firearms in the appearance of other objects
- Ammunition with penetrating, explosive or incendiary projectiles, as well as projectiles for such ammunition
Additional Provisions
- In all Member States, the license is withdrawn after committing a violent intentional crime or offense, which also causes confiscation of weapons
- In most Member States possession of arms is subject to quantitative restrictions. In Spain the restriction covers all types of firearms
- In more than half of the Member States, regulations or Administration firmly dissuade citizens from applying for and obtaining firearm possession licenses
In general, we can affirm that the legislation applicable in Member States on trade and possession of civilian firearms is complete, designed to guarantee security and very restrictive.
The true guarantee of the European system is the responsibility and security culture of users (not only from the EU, but from all of Europe). Countries like Sweden, Finland or Switzerland have the world's highest levels of arms possession per inhabitant.
After approval of EU Regulation 258/2012 by the European Parliament and Council in March 2012 on foreign trade in firearms, European legislation has become the safest regulation providing the greatest control and traceability throughout the legal trade chain of civilian and sporting firearms.
Our Strategic Objectives
From the Arms Association we work towards the development and effective application of current regulations cooperating with Authorities in the correct application of the same and urging the pursuit of the following objectives:
Transnational Cooperation
It is a priority that all national officials in matters of legal firearms control have access to information from other Member States. This will provide security, save resources and facilitate legal trade and legal use of civilian and sporting arms.
Computer and Telematic Systems
Correct control cannot be achieved if it is not based on a digital and telematic system that allows efficient management and adequate monitoring.
European Harmonization of Proof Banks
It is convenient that the CIP Proof Banks system be generalized to all Member States and that said Banks integrate their databases with those of other authorities and with those of sector operators.