Germany to Register Gun Owners in International Database

Continuing a dubious record as a champion of freedom in Europe, "the German government plans to launch its complete registry of legal gun owners at the beginning of next year, two years ahead of a deadline set by the EU [European Union]," according to a German website.  After all, "Under new EU laws, all member countries are obliged to compile a centralized register."

Meanwhile, Cecilia Malmstrom, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs--leaving to other bureaucrats the tiresome business of preventing the economic collapse of Western Europe--found time instead to muse about the "the harm caused by firearms" and the need for the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty.

In what could have amounted to an explanation of Germany's action, Malmstrom noted "the EU Directive from 1991 on the possession, sale and transfers of weapons . . . now requires all Member States, by 2014, to create a database on owners and transfers of legal firearms within the EU."  Not satisfied with restricting the rights of Germans, she added, "we must continue global efforts as well.  The EU is strongly committed to regulating the international weapons trade, and we fully support the successful conclusion of the negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty at the U.N. Conference on 18‑28 March 2013."