The ESC has called on all of its members to lobby for changes to the Directive ©ESC

The European Shooting Confederation (ESC) has called on all of its members to lobby for changes to what they describe as an “inadequate” European Union (EU) Firearm Directive.

The EU initiative was drafted in November 2015 in response to the terrorist incident in Paris, where a series of coordinated attacks across the French capital left a total of 130 people dead.

It aims to make firearms less accessible to terrorists and criminals but critics have claimed it impairs the rights of law-abiding citizens.

Under the proposed amendments to the EU Directive, semi-automatic rifles and “resembling” military assault rifles could be banned.

The Directive still needs to be approved by the EU Council.

It has prompted the ESC to urge its members to contact their respective “Members of their National Parliaments and also the Members of the European Parliament of your country to make sure that this Directive will enhance the security of citizens, not at chastening the law-abiding hobby and sport”.

“As we all know the EU is going to tighten the gun laws and a proposal for a new directive has been discussed already for some months,” an ESC communication to all its members read.

“It is clear that we have to contravene terrorism by all means.

“But the threat of all terrorism will not reduce with increased restrictions directed at law-abiding people and legal actions against shooting sport.”

The governing body claim it had been “prepared in a very big hurry and inadequately” while calling for changes to be made.

The EU Directive was drafted following the terrorist attacks in Paris in November
The EU Directive was drafted following the terrorist attacks in Paris in November ©Getty Images

“The proposal contains firearms technical mistakes and impossibilities,” the statement added.

“There is a deep discordance between the good meaning and the concrete substance.

“The draft is without any reason directed at legal gun owners.

“The law-abiding people would be scapegoats.

“The real problem is illegal guns, but it is clear that we cannot stop the market of illegal guns by disciplining/chasten the legal gun owners, athletes etc.”

The ESC feel the Directive could have an impact on the sport of shooting and believe it has been targeted at the wrong people.

“The Firearms Directive draft is being discussed in the European Parliament at the moment and has been criticised strongly,” the statement continued.

“The responsible athletes and law-abiding gun owners must be able to continue their hobby.

“Now is the time to make changes!

“The Commission did not focus on relevant issues – did not consider the proposals made by the legal organisations.”