In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, the European Commission yesterday adopted a package of measures to strengthen the control of firearms within the EU.

Although the responsibility for ensuring internal security lies with member states, the cross-border challenges require EU support.

These measures seek to make the acquisition of firearms more difficult, better track legally-held firearms, enhance cooperation between member states and ensure that deactivated firearms are rendered inoperable.

One key measure is a revision of the Firearms Directive to tighten the controls on the acquisition and possession of arms.

The online acquisition of firearms, key parts or ammunition will be subject to more stringent rules.

Individuals will not be allowed to hold semi-automatic firearms under any circumstance, even if they have been permanently deactivated.

Member states will be able to exchange information about any refusal of a licence to own a firearm by another national authority, while they interconnect their respective national registers of weapons.

Common EU rules on the marking of firearms to improve the traceability of weapons will also be developed.

The cross-border dimension of arms control requires stronger police and intelligence coordination coupled with stronger import checks and controls. These proposed amendments need to be approved by the European Parliament and Council.

According to information tabled in Parliament last January, registered firearms in Malta totalled 96,425 arms. These include 477 machine guns, three mortars and two rocket launchers.

The most popular firearms among the Maltese are shotguns (55,962), pistols (10,553), rifles (7,856), revolvers (5,369), air rifles (4,765) and air pistols (3,272).

Last week, on the eve of the Valletta migration summit, a legal notice was published to allow security officers accompanying foreign dignitaries to carry firearms.

Legal Notice 361 of 2015 empowers the Commissioner of Police to “in special circumstances issue a permit for the import and carriage of firearms and ammunition, for the purpose of the protection of the life and security of a foreign dignitary, to security officers accompanying foreign dignitaries whilst visiting Malta”.

Such a permit would be valid for a “specified period” following a request through the Foreign Affairs Ministry.