World News for Students of English

06-03-2026 07:00

The European Commission has proposed new EU-wide prison sentences for firearms offences to reduce illegal gun trafficking and close legal loopholes between member states.

Creating or sharing blueprints for 3D-printed guns could result in at least two years in prison. Possessing illegal firearms or key components could bring up to five years, while trafficking or manufacturing illegal weapons could lead to eight years behind bars. The Commission says around 620,000 firearms are lost or stolen in the EU, which contributes to organised crime, terrorism, and about 1,300 deaths each year. Officials warn that new technologies like 3D printing and weapons flowing from war zones increase the risk.

The proposal also requires each country to create a National Firearms Focal Point, improve data collection on seized weapons, and share statistics regularly. The goal is stronger cooperation, better monitoring, and a more coordinated EU response to security threats.

Difficult words: trafficking (illegal buying and selling of goods, often across borders), loophole (a weakness in a law that allows people to avoid punishment), possess (to have or own something).

You can watch the video news lower on this page.