Firearm safety in the EU and beyond: developing a common minimum standard and improving information in the fight against firearm trafficking through REGISYNC

REGISYNC aims to reduce “the diversion of firearms into criminal hands in the EU and, as a result, improving law enforcement agencies’ ability to prevent, detect and persecute cases of firearms diversion”  across Member States, Southeast Europe, Ukraine and Moldova. In a consortium with the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), Arquebus and the Small Arms Survey, Ecorys commenced the project for DG HOME in the autumn of 2021.

Specifically, in order to meet its general aim, the project works toward developing common minimum standards for firearms registers. While doing so, focus is placed on establishing and promoting information sharing between and across the EU’s Member States, as well as with Eastern European countries, namely Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Moldova.

Overall, the project team will develop the following: 35 country profiles on the state of play regarding national firearms registers in all above-noted countries; a policy paper outlining the common minimum standards for a life-cycle firearms registry; a manual on effective and innovative practices for a life-cycle firearms registry, including common minimum standards; a policy paper on the exchange of information; and finally, a set of recommendations on the improvement of exchange of information, focusing on availability of information, providing access to information, and ensuring effective exchange of information.  In addition to policy briefs, the information will be shared through a variety of media, including a conference in Brussels, a project website, publication of newsletters, and podcasts.