It is sadly predictable that the first impulse among many policymakers in Europe after the Paris terrorist attacks is to pile on more firearm regulations instead of exploring the benefits of gun ownership among law-abiding citizens. One initial, and somewhat unusual, target of their regulatory zeal is the market for military weapons that are decommissioned and sold to collectors. According to The Wall Street Journal, some police and political sources maintain that such firearms can be restored to full functionality by skilled mechanics and supplied to criminals and terrorists.
It seems unlikely to us that more strictly regulating the transfer of decommissioned firearms will do much to stem the tide of illegal weapons, especially when they can be acquired more easily by other means. We will continue to monitor the situation and report on any legislation that emerges.
