UK Prime Minister to call for EU ban on semi-automatic weapons
LONDON — UK Prime Minister David Cameron will propose a European Union-wide ban on high-powered semi-automatic weapons later this week as part of a range of new measures designed to tackle terrorism.
LONDON — UK Prime Minister David Cameron will propose a European Union-wide ban on high-powered semi-automatic weapons later this week as part of a range of new measures designed to tackle terrorism.
“We need to ensure that terrorists do not have the weapons with which they can wreak such tragedy,” Mr Cameron said in a statement posted on the government’s website. Mr Cameron wants “greater co-operation to crack down on the smuggling trade” and will propose the ban at a European Council summit that will discuss the EU’s response to the terrorist attacks in Paris.
The proposed response includes a new plan to improve firearms intelligence in the western Balkans with new measures that will result in guns being taken out of circulation. The UK is also calling for European nations to implement restrictions and alert systems to prevent terrorists accessing material for explosives.
“The horrific terrorist atrocities in Paris underlined the scale of the terrorist threat facing Europe,” Mr Cameron said. “A terrorist threat in one country is a danger to all of us.”
Mr Cameron will outline the plan at the summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday where European leaders are set to discuss terrorism and migration. Other measures being considered include improved data sharing, strengthening border and transport security, further action to disrupt terrorist financing and tackling online extremism, according to the statement. BLOOMBERG