The Commission still has to recover from such a staggering political defeat, and as of today, September 2019, as Swedish press reports, twenty EU Member States out of twenty-seven still have to implement the new European Firearms Directive, totally or partially. As such, giving it another shot with a review of the directive is basically impossible on the short term.

In order to keep up the pace with their disarmament plans, the European élites will thus resort to alternative ways, such as measures that would make it more expensive for hunters and shooters to keep practicing their sports and hobbies, forcing many of them to give them up altogether.

In order to avoid the "hiccups" experienced by the European firearms directive, this time they decided not to go through the European Parliament – which, being the only EU institution to be elected by the citizens of the Member States, is also at least partially influenced in its decisions by the will of said citizens – but through a bureaucratic and "scientific" body such as ECHA , which answers only to the European Commission and is by no means bound to listen to the requests and the opinion of the peoples of Europe.

With luck, organizations such as FACE and AFEMS – the Association of European Manufacturers of Sporting Ammunition – are among the consulting bodies that will have their say on this disgraceful proposal.

As usual, it's worth reminding that the procedure will be lengthy and there is no cause for immediate panic. Our community will however need to remain vigilant on the matter, and ready to respond promptly as one to any call for action tied to this topic that may be raised in the coming weeks and months.

GUNSweek.com will of course keep the European hunters and shooters community posted about the evolution of this threat.

Mala tempora currunt...