Here's a short update on the firearms directive proposal. there's been a lot of pressure put on MEPs by the firearms community. Of the replies which airsoft players have forwarded to me, a good number of MEPs have said they have been convinced to vote against the proposal, many others have just repeated the party line about 'preventing terrorism'. There were objections to the proposal on its first presentation to MEPs. There have been loud objections from Finland, Switzerland and Czech Republic where civilian owned firearms are part of defence policy.

Many airsoft players have raised objections to the reclassification of replicas as category C firearms, but the airsoft voice has been woefully quiet considering the number of us in Europe. MEPs, pro and anti, are in disagreement about the future of the proposal. Some say it will be rejected, some say it can't be stopped. Another possibility is that it will be amended (or return later) to be softer on firearms and still target our replicas in the same way.

Airsoft hangs on a precipice, it really could go either way so more players and airsoft businesses need to speak out. Stay tuned, soon the EAA will publish a draft letter that players can cut, paste and modify to help them make a good argument for airsoft. We would like help translating it into all European languages. I can't stress this enough; airsoft will wither and die unless more airsofters contact their representatives and defend their freedoms.

Matt Furey-King,
President
European Airsoft Association (EAA)

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To learn more about the issue and how to submit your objections on the proposed changes, click here.