illicit trafficking in firearms, their parts, components ...€¦ · firearms trafficking and...

Illicit Trafficking in Firearms,

their Parts, Components and

Ammunition to, from and

across the European Union

Methodological and Statistical Annex

Table of Contents

Part 1: Methodological Information ............................................................................................... 3

1. Methodological approach for data collection .......................................................................... 3

2. Subregions ............................................................................................................................ 5

3. Typologies of weapons........................................................................................................... 6

Part 2: Statistical Information ........................................................................................................ 1

1. Types of firearms seized in European Union Member States .................................................... 1

2. Justification of the firearms seizures in European Union Member States ................................... 2

3. Location of firearms seizures in European Union Member States.............................................. 6

4. Technical condition of firearms seized in European Union Member States ................................ 9

5. Firearms seizures in connection to other suspected offences in European Union Member States,

2016-2017 ...............................................................................................................................13

6. Marking of seized firearms in European Union Member States ................................................17

7. Outcome of tracing and other follow-up activities on seized firearms in European Union Member

States ......................................................................................................................................20

This annex describes the methodological approach developed for the regional report on the illicit

trafficking in firearms, their parts, components and ammunition to, from and across the European

Union. It further contains an excerpt of the statistical data collected by UNODC as part of the Illicit

Arms Flows dataset.

This regional report complements that Global Study on Firearms Trafficking 2020 that was developed

in the context of the UNODC Monitoring Illicit Arms Flows initiative.

Part 1: Methodological Information

The below provides background information on the methodology used to prepare the report.

1. Methodological approach for data collection

A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods was used to analysis this

phenomenon involving European Union Member States:

First of all, an analysis of the data that was collected in the Illicit Arms Flows Database, a global

dataset on seized and trafficked firearms. As part of its Monitoring Illicit Arms Flows initiative,

UNODC developed the Illicit Arms Flows Questionnaire (IAFQ), a standardized methodology for data

collection on seized and trafficked firearms, their parts and components and ammunition. This

questionnaire was developed in cooperation with national and international firearms and statistical

experts, relevant international organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations and

research institutes, with the purpose to improve data collection and analysis of illicit firearms

trafficking and to support the monitoring of indicator 16.4.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals

(SDG), for which UNODC was designated as co-custodian.

The regional report focused on the data collected by UNODC in 2018-2019 for the years 2016-2017.

Respondents were requested to provide the total number of seized arms and disaggregated data on

the type, condition, marking status and county of manufacture of seized firearms, the legal

justification and criminal context of the seizure and the tracing outcome. Similar information and

levels of disaggregation, albeit less detailed, were requested about found and surrendered arms and

seized ammunition, parts and components. In the Illicit Arms Flows Database quantitative and/or

qualitative data is available for 18 European Union Member States via the IAFQ for at least one of the

years 2016 or 2017. Qualitative data is available for 16 European Union Member States. In addition

to the data received by UNODC via the IAFQ, the Illicit Arms Flows Database also includes data from

national reports on the implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light

Weapons and the International Tracing Instrument (collected and shared by the United Nations

Office for Disarmament Affairs), seizure data contained in the database of the Customs Enforcement

Network (collected and shared by the World Customs Organization) and other open source official

Member States data.

This report also used other quantitative, qualitative and case-based data sources, especially data and

information collected by the Flemish Peace Institute in previous research projects such as project

SAFTE and project DIVERT, two recent large-scale research projects co-funded by the European

Commission. Project SAFTE (2017-2018) analysed illicit gun markets in the European Union and

terrorist access to these markets. It focused on the situation in eight countries (Belgium, Croatia,

Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania and the United Kingdom) and used, for each of

these country studies, a comprehensive literature review and document analysis, the collection and

analysis of available quantitative data and expert interviews with key actors. As part of the project

more than 100 key actors, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors, customs officials and

other firearms experts were interviewed by the research team. In addition, project SAFTE also

included an analysis of illicit firearms markets in the European Union’s neighbourhood, especially

Ukraine and North Africa. Project DIVERT (2019-2020), which is currently ongoing, focuses on the

diversion of legally held firearms into the illicit gun market in Europe, with a specific focus on the

theft of firearms, fraudulent activities to acquire, transfer or keep firearms, and non-regularization of

firearms in post-conflict countries or after a change of legislation. Project DIVERT consists of an

explorative mapping of the scope and characteristics of these diversion methods in all European

Union Member States, followed by an in-depth analysis of these diversion methods in eight countries

(Belgium, Estonia, Croatia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain and Sweden). For each of these country

studies, the research team undertook a literature review and document analysis, collected and

analysed the available quantitative data, and conducted expert interviews with key actors. In

addition, the research findings were discussed with representatives from law enforcement agencies

and customs organisations at meetings of the firearms chapter of the European multidisciplinary

platform against criminal threats (EMPACT).

The quantitative and qualitative data and information from the Illicit Arm Flows Database and

previous research projects was complemented with information exchanged during a cross-regional

expert meeting on illicit firearms trafficking to, from and across the European Union organized by

UNODC on 7 - 8 October 2019 in Vienna. Almost 60 representatives from national law enforcement

agencies, prosecutorial authorities, customs agencies, and relevant ministries of 34 countries as well

as representatives of relevant international and regional organizations and research institutes

participated in this meeting. The experts discussed different types of transnational illicit arms flows

and topics such as investigation and prosecution of illicit firearms trafficking and related crimes in

their country, inter-institutional cooperation at national level as well as avenues for regional and

cross-regional cooperation. Participants not only included representatives of European Union

Member States, but also representatives of countries from other regions such as the Western

Balkans, West and Central Africa, the Middle East and North Africa region, North America as well as

Latin America that presented some type of linkages to illicit firearms flows to and from the European

Union. Within the framework of this meeting, additional interviews were conducted with various

participants. Additionally, the author of this report also interviewed law enforcement agencies that

participated in the course 14/2019 (‘Firearms Linked To Organised Crime And Terrorism -

Implementation of The EU Firearms Directive’) of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement

Training (CEPOL) that was organized in Lisbon on 23 – 27 September 2019.

Moreover, the report drew on a collection of law enforcement and judicial cases collected by UNODC

in preparation of a digest of illicit firearms cases, which will compile and analyse practical

experiences, including concrete legal techniques, common protocols and operational norms in

combating those crimes, as well as new and emerging forms of criminality. UNODC initiated the

collection and analysis of relevant cases and good practices to investigate and prosecute cases of

trafficking in firearms, including cases linked to terrorism and organized crime. Several of the cases

were shared by practitioners in the course of regional meetings and training activities organized by

the UNODC Global Firearms Programme, thus allowing for a direct exchange with practitioners on

lessons learned and setbacks encountered in the conduct of the respective investigations.

Finally, this report also used information collected during a review of existing literature on illicit

firearms trafficking and during an online research for cases of illicit firearms trafficking. This last type

of information was only used to complement the other collected data and to illustrate and

contextualize the modus operandi of different types of illicit firearms trafficking by providing recent

examples of relevant firearms seizures.

2. Subregions

The analysis uses a breakdown of the world into subregions, particularly when discussing illicit

firearms trafficking flows. The table below describes the composition of each subregion in line with

the classification introduced for the Global Study on Firearms Trafficking 2020. This breakdown is

based on the standard UN classification (M49), adapted to take into account the availability of data

and regions of special interest of the study.

This classification does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the

Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or

of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

3. Typologies of weapons

The questionnaire used to collect large parts of the quantitative data follows the below typology of

weapons.

It should be noted that some of the qualitative or case-based references are based on another

typology, particular a classification by the legally authorised end-user of the weapon. As such, several

references are made to “military-grade” weapons, which is a term commonly used among European

Union Member States for machine guns and submachine guns.

Part 2: Statistical Information

The below tables reflect the quantitative data collected by UNODC in the context of the project

“Supporting Global Data Collection and Analysis on Firearms Trafficking and Fostering Cooperation

and Information Sharing, in particular Among Countries along Major Trafficking Routes to/from the

European Union” as used for the paper on Illicit Trafficking in Firearms, their Parts, Components and

Ammunition to, from and across the European Union. Where available, data collected in the context

of the UNODC Study on Firearms 2015 is also contained in the tables.

For country data extending beyond the European Union region, see the firearms section of the

UNODC data portal at https://dataunodc.un.org/.

1. Types of firearms seized in European Union Member States

Types of firearms seized in Belgium, 2016-2017

Belgium 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 687 18% 747 21%

Revolver 429 11% 381 11%

Rifle 2086 56% 1903 53%

Shotgun (including short shotgun) 0 0

Submachine gun 13 0.3% 10 0.3%

Machine gun 13 0.3% 19 0.5%

Other weapons 0 0

Unknown 517 14% 554 15%

Total 3745 100% 3614 100%

Types of firearms seized in Croatia, 2016-2017

Croatia 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 655 35% 568 34%

Revolver 99 5% 75 4%

Rifle 966 51% 937 56%


Submachine gun 60 3% 26 2%

Machine gun 97 5% 78 5%

Other weapons 0 0

Unknown 1 .05% 2 0.1%

Total 1878 100% 1686 100%

Types of firearms seized in Denmark, 2016-2017

Denmark

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 230 30% 284 33%

https://dataunodc.un.org/

Revolver 83 11% 75 9%

Rifle 121 16% 100 12%

Shotgun (including short shotgun) 175 22% 194 23%


Machine gun 5 1% 3 0.4%

Other weapons 113 15% 152 18%

Unknown 5 1% 4 0.5%

Total 778 100% 854 100%

Types of firearms seized in Finland, 2010-2013

Finland 2010 2011 2012 2013

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Pistol 386 14% 448 15% 399 19% 413 13%

Revolver 386 14% 449 15% 399 19% 414 13%

Rifle 677 24% 686 23% 686 32% 662 21%

Shotgun (including short shotgun)

677 24% 770 25% 570 27% 612 19%

Submachine gun - - - - - - - -

Machine gun 39 1% 43 1% 55 3% 120 4%

Other weapons 30 1% 22 1% 18 1% 29 1%

Unknown

Unclassified 588 21% 605 20% 0 899 29%

Total 2783 100% 3023 100% 2127 100% 3149 100%

Note: The reported figures did not add up to the reported total of firearms seized. The discrepancy is

reflected in the newly introduced category “unclassified”.

Types of firearms seized in France, 2013

France 2013

Seized firearms % of total

Pistol 222 27%

Revolver 60 7%

Rifle 0

Shotgun (including short shotgun) 259 31%

Submachine gun 7 1%

Machine gun 14 2%

Other weapons 109 13%

Unknown 154 19%

Total 825 100%

Types of firearms seized in Greece, 2016-2017

Greece

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 489 5% 367 15%

Revolver 175 2% 156 6%

Rifle 92 1% 163 7%



Machine gun 2 .02% 2 .08%


Unknown 0 1 .04%

Total 9145 100% 2492 100%

Types of firearms seized in Hungary, 2016-2017

Hungary 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 83 25% 18 9%

Revolver 12 4% 0

Rifle 79 23% 93 48%


Submachine gun 83 25% 0

Machine gun 66 20% 0

Other weapons 1 0.3% 64 33%

Unknown 2 0.6% 11 6%

Total 337 100% 193 100%

Types of firearms seized in Italy, 2016-2017

Italy

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 1296 20% 1045 23%

Revolver 383 6% 323 7%

Rifle 0 4 .09%


Submachine gun 3 .05% 9 0.2%

Machine gun 6 0.1% 0

Other weapons 0 0

Unknown 298 5% 396 9%

Total 6617 100% 4545 100%

Types of firearms seized in Latvia, 2010-2013

Latvia 2010 2011 2012 2013

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Pistol 8 35% 0 0 2 13%

Revolver 8 35% 81 68% 15 56% 8 50%

Rifle 1 4% 23 19% 8 30% 2 13%

Shotgun (including short shotgun) 2 9% 4 3% 4 15% 2 13%

Submachine gun 0 0 0 0

Machine gun 3 13% 10 8% 0 0 Other weapons 1 4% 2 2% 0 2 13%

Unknown 0 0 0 0

Total 23 100% 120 100% 27 100% 16 100%

Types of firearms seized in Lithuania, 2010-2013 and 2016-2017

Lithuania 2010 2011 2012 2013 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Pistol 0 0 4 3% 7 4% 150 49% 119 45%

Revolver 0 0 0 2 1% 81 26% 87 33%

Rifle 34 19% 32 19% 16 14% 30 15% 4 1% 0


74 40% 47 28% 46 40% 72 36% 68 22% 51 19%

Submachine gun

0 1 0.6% 0 1 .05% 0 0

Machine gun

2 1% 14 8% 3 3% 7 4% 0 4 2%

Other weapons

62 34% 70 41% 39 34% 68 34% 1 0.3% 1 0.4%

Unknown 11 6% 6 4% 7 6% 11 6% 5 2% 0

Total 183 100% 170 100% 115 100% 198 100% 309 100% 262 100%

Types of firearms seized in Luxembourg, 2016-2017

Luxembourg 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 39 5% 27 3% Revolver 31 4% 27 3%

Rifle 52 7% 41 8%


Submachine gun 15 2% 4 0.5%

Machine gun 1 0.2% 0


Unknown 30 4% 0

Total 766 100% 863 100%

Types of firearms seized, found and surrendered in Netherlands, 2016-2017

Netherlands

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 1619 30% 1651 30%

Revolver 522 10% 555 10%

Rifle 753 14% 991 18%

Shotgun (including short shotgun) 0 - 0 -



Other weapons 2336 43% 2110 39%

Unknown 0 - 0 -

Total 5399 100% 5463 100%

Types of firearms seized in Poland, 2010-2013

Poland

2010 2011 2012 2013

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 262 12% 201 13% 216 12% 219 14%

Revolver 263 12% 201 13% 215 12% 220 14%

Rifle 167 7% 159 10% 184 10% 161 10%


168 7% 158 10% 184 10% 161 10%

Submachine gun

37 2% 47 3% 17 1% 23 1%

Machine gun 168 7% 158 10% 184 10% 162 10%

Other weapons 118 5% 84 5% 102 6% 86 5%

Unknown 1086 48% 569 36% 748 40% 535 34%

Total 2269 100% 1577 100% 1850 100% 1567 100%

Types of firearms seized in Portugal, 2016-2017

Portugal

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 298 4% 199 3%

Revolver 150 2% 95 2%

Rifle 30 0.4% 31 1%



Machine gun 0 0

Other weapons 2395 35% 2208 37%

Unknown 3415 51% 3012 51%

Total 6754 100% 5925 100%

Note: Portugal noted that “Other weapons” includes alarm weapons, sticks, electric weapons, gas,

razors, throwing stars and beasts

Types of firearms seized in Romania, 2010-2013, 2016-2017

Romania

2010 2011 2012 2013 2016 2017

Seized firear

ms

% of total

Seized firear

ms

% of total

Seized firear

ms

% of total

Seized firear

ms

% of total

Seized firear

ms

% of total

Seized firear

ms

% of total

Pistol 1 1% 3 4% 2 2% - - 2 7% 4 7%

Revolver 2 2% 1 1% - - - - 2 7% 2 4%

Rifle 5 5% 2 2% - - 6 7% 4 14% 7 12%


11 11% 5 6% 2 2% 2 2% 3 11% 0

Submachine gun

- - - - - - - - 0 0

Machine gun - - - - - - - - 0 0

Other weapons - - - - - - - - 17 61% 44 77%

Unknown - - - - - - - - 0 0

Unclassified 80 81% 73 87% 82 96% 78 91%

Total 99 100% 84 100% 86 100% 86 100% 28 100% 57 100%

Note: The reported figures for the years 2010 to 2013 did not add up to the reported total of

firearms seized. The discrepancy is reflected in the newly introduced category “unclassified”.

Types of firearms seized in the Slovakia, 2016-2017

Slovakia 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 842 49% 219 43%

Revolver 89 5% 60 12% Rifle 707 41% 186 36%


Submachine gun 0 0

Machine gun 0 0

Other weapons 0 0

Unknown 36 2% 5 1%

Total 1715 100% 510 100%

Types of firearms seized in Slovenia, 2016-2017

Slovenia

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 111 37% 116 36%

Revolver 0 0

Rifle 133 44% 149 46%


Submachine gun 0 0

Machine gun 0 0


Unknown 0

Unclassified 6 2%

Total 304 100% 324 100%

Note: The reported figures for the year 2016 did not add up to the reported total of firearms seized.

The discrepancy is reflected in the newly introduced category “unclassified”.

Types of firearms seized in Spain, 2010-2017

Spain

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Seized firearms

% of total

Pistol 801 14% 878 15% 2249 24% 1590 21% 1480 21% 1262 20% 1549 17% 4389 41%

Revolver 261 5% 315 5% 1022 11% 692 9% 561 8% 507 8% 1216 14% 1185 11%

Rifle 990 17% 1061 18% 1302 14% 1268 17% 1305 19% 1177 19% 1534 17% 1550 15%


3667 64% 3731 62% 4595 49% 3951 53% 3525 51% 3177 52% 4657 52% 3303 31%

Submachine gun

4 0.1% 24 0.4% 208 2% 14 0.2% 18 0.3% 36 1% 17 0.2% 125 1%

Machine gun 0 4 0.1% 2 .02% 0 8 0.1% 2 .03% 1 .01% 3 .02%

Other weapons

- - - - - - - - - - - - 0 0

Unknown - - - - - - - - - - - - 0 0

Total 5723 100% 6013 100% 9378 100% 7515 100% 6897 100% 6161 100% 9003 100% 10602 100%

Types of firearms seized in Sweden, 2016-2017

Sweden

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 430 45% 401 49%

Revolver 106 11% 77 9%

Rifle 92 10% 76 9%

Shotgun (including short shotgun) 158 17% 106 13% Submachine gun 30 3% 29 4%



Unknown 0 - 0 -

Total 957 100% 812 100%

Types of firearms seized in the United Kingdom, 2016-2017

United Kingdom 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Pistol 317 34% 274 29%

Revolver 223 24% 203 21%

Rifle 27 3% 27 3%



Machine gun 0 0


Unknown 1 0.1% 0

Total 946 100% 947 100%

2. Justification of the firearms seizures in European Union Member States

Legal justification of seizure in Denmark, 2016-2017

Denmark 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized firearms

% of total

Illicit possession 512 67% 600 70%

Illicit use 106 14% 78 9%

Illicit trafficking - - - -

Illicit manufacture - - - -

Altered markings - - - - Unknown - - - -

Other 160 21% 176 21%

Total 778 100% 854 100%

Legal justification of seizure in Greece, 2016-2017

Greece

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Illicit possession - - 2 0.1%

Illicit use - - - -

Illicit trafficking 6435 70% - -


Altered markings - - - -

Unknown 2710 30% 2490 99.9%

Other - - - -

Total 9145 100% 2492 100%

Legal justification of seizure in Hungary, 2016-2017

Hungary 2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Illicit use - - - -

Illicit trafficking 127 38% - - Illicit manufacture - - - -


Unknown - - - -

Other - - - -

Total 337 100% 193 100%

Legal justification of seizure in Italy, 2016-2017

Italy

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Illicit possession - - - -

Illicit use - - - -




Unknown - - - -

Other 2,697 41% - -

Unclassified 3,920 59% 4,545 100%

Total 6,617 100% 4,545 100%



Legal justification of seizure in Lithuania, 2016-2017

Lithuania 2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total



Illicit trafficking - - 3 1%



Unknown - - - -

Other 12 4% 7 3%

Total 309 100% 262 100%

Legal justification of seizure in Luxembourg, 2016-2017


Seized firearms


% of total


Illicit use 321 42% 351 41%

Illicit trafficking 0 0

Illicit manufacture 0 0

Altered markings 0 0

Unknown 0 0

Other 0 0

Total 766 100% 863 100%

Legal justification of seizure in the Netherlands, 2016-2017

Netherlands

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Illicit use 760 14% 517 10%

Illicit trafficking 64 1% 43 1%



Unknown 142 3% 182 3%

Other 477 9% 439 8%

Total 5399 100% 5463 100%

Legal justification of seizure in Portugal, 2016-2017

Portugal 2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Illicit use 1338 30% 780 22%

Illicit trafficking 114 3% 152 4%

Illicit manufacture 19 0.4% 64 2%

Altered markings - - 6 0.2%

Unknown - - - -

Other - - - -

Total 4483 100% 3483 100%

Legal justification of seizure in Romania, 2016-2017

Romania 2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Illicit use 0 0

Illicit trafficking 0 0

Illicit manufacture 0 0 Altered markings 0 0

Unknown 0 0

Other 0 0

Total 28 100% 57 100%

Legal justification of seizure in Slovenia, 2016-2017

Slovenia

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Illicit use - - - -




Unknown 0 0

Other - - - -

Total 304 100% 324 100%

Legal justification of seizure in Spain, 2016-2017

Spain 2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Illicit use 301 3% 332 3% Illicit trafficking 936 10% 98 1%

Illicit manufacture 4 .04% - -


Unknown 6858 76% 9394 89%

Other 336 4% 349 3%

Total 9003 100% 10602 100%

Legal justification of seizure in Sweden, 2016-2017

Sweden 2016 2017

Seized % of total Seized % of total

firearms firearms

Illicit possession - - - -

Illicit use - - - -


Illicit manufacture 3 0% 5 0%

Altered markings 149 16% 135 17%

Unknown - - - -

Other - - - -

Unclassified 805 84% 672 83%

Total 957 100% 812 100%



Legal justification of seizure in United Kingdom, 2016-2017

United Kingdom

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total



Illicit trafficking 23 2% 7 0.7%



Unknown 4 0.4% 0

Other 0 0

Total 946 100% 947 100%

3. Location of firearms seizures in European Union Member States

Location of seizures in Denmark, 2016-2017

Denmark

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Domestic / Within national territory 778 100% 854 100%

Land borders - - - -

Planes and airports - - - -

Vessels and harbours - - - -

Other - - - - Unknown location - - - -

Total 778 100% 854 100%

Location of seizures in Greece, 2016-2017

Greece 2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Domestic / Within national territory 2710 30% 2481 99.5%

Land borders - - 2 0.1%


Vessels and harbours 6435 70% 9 0.4%

Other - - - -

Unknown location - - - -

Total 9145 100% 2492 100%

Location of seizures in Hungary, 2016-2017

Hungary

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total





Other - - - - Unknown location - - - -

Total 337 100% 193 100%

Location of seizures in Luxembourg, 2016-2017

Luxembourg

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Land borders 0 0

Planes and airports 201 26% 167 19%

Vessels and harbours 0 0

Other 0 0

Unknown location 0 0

Total 766 100% 863 100%

Location of seizures in the Netherlands, 2016-2017

Netherlands

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Domestic / Within national territory 5388 99.7% 5459 99.9%




Other - - - -

Unknown location 11 0.3% 4 0.1%

Total 5399 100% 5463 100%

Location of seizures in Portugal, 2016-2017

Portugal

2016 2017 Seized firearms


% of total



Planes and airports 106 1.6% 73 1%

Vessels and harbours 4 .06% 43 0.7%

Other 15 0.2% 17 0.3%

Unknown location 1 .01% 2 .03%

Total 6754 100% 5925 100%

Location of seizures in Romania, 2016-2017

Romania

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Land borders 1 4% 4 7%

Planes and airports 0 0


Other 0 0


Total 28 100% 57 100%

Location of seizures in Slovenia, 2016-2017

Slovenia

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Land borders 5 2% 32 10%

Planes and airports 0 0


Other 0 0


Total 304 100% 324 100%

Location of seizures in Spain, 2016-2017

Spain

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Domestic / Within national territory - - 0

Land borders 3 .03% 3 .02%

Planes and airports 11 0.1% 21 0.2%

Vessels and harbours 11 0.1% 13 0.1%

Other 2198 24% 4357 41%

Unknown location 6780 75% 6208 59%

Total 9003 100% 10602 100%

Location of seizures in United Kingdom, 2016-2017

United Kingdom

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Domestic / Within national territory 932 98.5% 936 98.8%

Land borders - - - - Planes and airports 2 0.2% 1 0.1%

Vessels and harbours 12 1% 2 0.2%

Other - - 8 0.8%

Unknown location - - - -

Total 946 100% 947 100%

4. Technical condition of firearms seized in European Union Member States

Condition of firearms seized in Denmark, 2016-2017

Denmark 2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Industrially manufactured arms with no signs of alteration or deactivation 756 97% 812 95%

Converted weapons 22 3% 42 5%

Modified weapons - - - -

Weapons otherwise illicitly manufactured, including artisanal production - - - -

Unknown - - - -

Total 778 100% 854 100%

Condition of firearms seized in Greece, 2016-2017

Greece

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Industrially manufactured arms with no signs of alteration or deactivation 6435 70% 2 0.1%

Converted weapons - - - -



Unknown 2710 30% 2490 99.9%

Total 9145 100% 2492 100%

Condition of firearms seized in Hungary, 2016

Hungary 2016

Seized firearms

% of total

Industrially manufactured arms with no signs of alteration or deactivation 335 99%

Converted weapons 2 1% Modified weapons - -

Weapons otherwise illicitly manufactured, including artisanal production - -

Unknown -

Total 337 100%

Condition of firearms seized in Lithuania, 2016-2017

Lithuania

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Industrially manufactured arms with no signs of alteration or deactivation 284 92% - -


Assembled weapons 7 2% 238 91%

Reactivated weapons 6 2% - -

Modified weapons - - 15 6%


Unknown - - - -

Total 309 100% 262 100%

Condition of firearms seized in Luxembourg, 2016-2017


Seized firearms


% of total


Converted weapons 2 0% 0

Assembled weapons 0 0

Reactivated weapons 0 0

Modified weapons 0 0

Weapons otherwise illicitly manufactured, including artisanal production 0 0 Unknown 0 0


Total 766 100% 863 100%



Condition of firearms seized in Portugal, 2016-2017

Portugal

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total





Modified weapons 253 4% 142 2%

Weapons otherwise illicitly manufactured, including artisanal production 19 0.3% 10 0.2%

Unknown 3427 51% 3493 59%

Total 6754 100% 5925 100%

Condition of firearms seized in Romania, 2016-2017

Romania

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Converted weapons 0 0



Modified weapons 0 0

Weapons otherwise illicitly manufactured, including artisanal production 0 0

Unknown 0 0

Total 28 100% 57 100%

Condition of firearms seized in Slovakia, 2016-2017

Slovakia 2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Converted weapons - - - -

Assembled weapons 46 3% 38 7%

Reactivated weapons - - - -



Unknown - - - -

Total 1715 100% 510 100%

Condition of firearms seized in Spain, 2016-2017

Spain

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total


Converted weapons 9 0.1% 102 1%

Assembled weapons - - - -

Reactivated weapons 1 .01% 5 .05%



Unknown - - - -

Total 9003 100% 10602 100%

Condition of firearms seized in Sweden, 2016-2017

Sweden 2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total

Industrially manufactured arms with no signs of alteration or deactivation - - - -


Assembled weapons 7 0.7% 5 1%

Reactivated weapons - - - -


Weapons otherwise illicitly manufactured, including artisanal production 3 0.3% - -

Unknown 875 91% 753 93%

Total 957 100% 812 100%

Condition of firearms seized in United Kingdom, 2016-2017

United Kingdom

2016 2017

Seized firearms


% of total



Assembled weapons - - 1 0.1%

Reactivated weapons 31 3% 35 4%


Weapons otherwise illicitly manufactured, including artisanal production 17 2% 24 3%

Unknown 13 1% 5 1%

Total 946 100% 947 100%

5. Firearms seizures in connection to other suspected offences in European Union Member

States, 2016-2017

Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Denmark, 2016-2017

Denmark 2016 2017

Other suspected offences Seized firearms

Seized firearms

Illicit arms trafficking - -

Other arms offences 332 452

Illicit drug trafficking 23 24

Other type of trafficking - 1

Other forms of organized crime - -

Acts of terrorism 2 -

Violent Crime 108 108

Other 23 56

Note: The values reported may add up to more than the total arms seized as one weapon may be

seized in connection with multiple suspected offences.

Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Greece, 2016-2017

Greece 2016 2017


Seized firearms

Illicit arms trafficking 6435 -

Other arms offences - - Illicit drug trafficking - -

Other type of trafficking - -


Acts of terrorism - -

Violent Crime - -

Other - 2



Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Hungary, 2016-2017

Hungary 2016 2017


Seized firearms


Other arms offences - -

Illicit drug trafficking - -




Violent Crime - -

Other - 31



Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Lithuania, 2016-2017

Lithuania 2016 2017


Seized firearms





Other forms of organized crime 2 1


Violent Crime 9 12

Other 8 12



Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Luxembourg, 2016-2017



Seized firearms

Illicit arms trafficking 0 0



Other type of trafficking 0 23


Acts of terrorism 0 0

Violent Crime - -

Other - -



Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Portugal, 2016-2017

Portugal 2016 2017


Seized firearms







Violent Crime 13 11

Other 677 510



Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Romania, 2016-2017

Romania 2016 2017


Seized firearms




Other type of trafficking 0 0



Violent Crime 0 0

Other 0 0



Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Slovakia, 2016-2017

Slovakia 2016 2017


Seized firearms



Illicit drug trafficking 15 -




Violent Crime 48 -

Other - -



Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Slovenia, 2016-2017

Slovenia 2016 2017


Seized firearms




Other type of trafficking 0 0 Other forms of organized crime 0 0


Violent Crime 0 0

Other - -



Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Spain, 2016-2017

Spain 2016 2017


Seized firearms







Violent Crime 656 862

Other 288 358



Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in Sweden, 2016-2017

Sweden 2016 2017


Seized firearms



Illicit drug trafficking - -




Violent Crime 75 -

Other - -



Total arms seized in connection with other suspected offences in United Kingdom, 2016-2017



Seized firearms







Violent Crime - -

Other - -



6. Marking of seized firearms in European Union Member States

Marking of seized firearms in Denmark, 2016-2017

Denmark 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Uniquely marked 778 100% 854 100%

No marking 0 - 0 -

Altered marking 0 - 0 -

Unknown 0 - 0 -

Total 778 100% 854 100%

Marking of seized firearms in Greece, 2016-2017

Greece

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Uniquely marked 6435 70% 0 -

No marking 0 - 0 -


Unknown 2710 30% 2492 100%

Total 9145 100% 2492 100%

Marking of seized firearms in Italy, 2016-2017

Italy 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Uniquely marked 6542 99% 4530 99,7%

No marking 18 0,3% 3 0,07%

Altered marking 21 0,3% 6 0,1%

Unknown 26 0,4% 6 0,1%

Unclassified 10 0,0%

Total 6617 100% 4545 100%

Note: The reported figures for the year 2016 did not add up to the reported total of firearms seized.

The discrepancy is reflected in the newly introduced category “unclassified”.

Marking of seized firearms in Lithuania, 2016-2017

Lithuania

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


No marking 4 1% 6 2%


Unknown 126 41% 97 37%

Total 309 100% 262 100%

Marking of seized firearms in Luxembourg, 2016-2017


Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


No marking 0 - 1 0%


Unknown 0 - 0 -


Total 766 100% 863 100%



Marking of seized firearms in Portugal, 2016-2017

Portugal

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


No marking 337 5% 262 4%

Altered marking 710 10% 565 10%

Unknown - - - -

Unclassified 4,851 72% 4,465 75%

Total 6,754 100% 5,925 100%



Marking of seized firearms in Romania, 2016-2017

Romania 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


No marking 0 - 0 -


Unknown 0 - 0 -

Total 28 100% 57 100%

Marking of seized firearms in Spain, 2016-2017

Spain

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


No marking 0 - 0 -


Unknown 0 - 0 -

Total 9003 100% 10602 100%

Marking of seized firearms in Sweden, 2016-2017

Sweden 2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


No marking 0 - 0 -


Unknown 34 4% 68 8%

Total 957 100% 812 100%

Marking of seized firearms in the United Kingdom, 2016-2017


Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


No marking 287 30% 335 35%


Unknown 0 - 0 -

Total 946 100% 947 100%

7. Outcome of tracing and other follow-up activities on seized firearms in European Union

Member States

Outcome of tracing and other follow-up activities on seized firearms in Belgium, 2016-2017

Belgium Tracing result

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total

Uniquely identifiable through marking

Weapon seized from its legitimate owner and weapon found in national registry 637 17% 466 13%

Weapon seized from illegitimate owner and weapon found in national registry 2426 65% 1855 51%

Point of diversion of the weapon (last legal record) identified through tracing and weapon found in foreign registry

Point of diversion otherwise established by a competent authority

Tracing attempted, but not enough information to identify point of diversion

Tracing procedures still pending

No tracing procedure initiated

Not uniquely identifiable Illicitly manufactured

Erased or altered marking

No information available about the item

Unknown status with respect to marking

Unclassified 682 18% 1,293 36%

Total 3,745 100% 3,614 100%



Outcome of tracing and other follow-up activities on seized firearms in Greece, 2016-2017

Greece Tracing result

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


Weapon seized from its legitimate owner and weapon found in national registry

Weapon seized from illegitimate owner and weapon found in national registry


Point of diversion otherwise

established by a competent authority



No tracing procedure initiated 6435 70%




Unknown status with respect to marking 2710 2492 100%

Total 9145 100% 2492 100%

Outcome of tracing and other follow-up activities on seized firearms in Hungary, 2016-2017

Hungary Tracing result

2016

Seized firearms

% of total


Weapon seized from its legitimate owner and weapon found in national registry 175 52%











Unclassified 162 48%

Total 337 100%



Outcome of tracing and other follow-up activities on seized firearms in Lithuania, 2016-2017

Lithuania Tracing result

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


Weapon seized from its legitimate owner and weapon found in national registry 3 1%

Weapon seized from illegitimate owner and weapon found in national registry 3 1%



Tracing attempted, but not enough information to identify point of diversion 176 57% 156 60%



Total 179 58% 159 61%


Erased or altered marking 4 1% 6 2%

No information available about the item 126 41% 97 37%

Total 130 42% 103 39%


Total 309 100% 262 100%

Outcome of tracing and other follow-up activities on seized firearms in Romania, 2016-2017

Romania Tracing result

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


Weapon seized from its legitimate owner and weapon found in national registry 0 0

Weapon seized from illegitimate owner and weapon found in national registry 0 0

Point of diversion of the weapon (last legal record) identified through tracing and weapon found in foreign registry 0 0

Point of diversion otherwise established by a competent authority 0 0

Tracing attempted, but not enough information to identify point of diversion 0 0

Tracing procedures still pending 8 28% 11 19%

No tracing procedure initiated 17 61% 44 77%

Total 25 89% 55 96%

Not uniquely identifiable Illicitly manufactured 0 0 Erased or altered marking 0 0

No information available about 0 0

the item

Total 0 0

Unknown status with respect to marking 0 0


Total 28 100% 57 100%



Outcome of tracing and other follow-up activities on seized firearms in Slovakia, 2016-2017

Slovakia Tracing result

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


Weapon seized from its legitimate owner and weapon found in national registry







Total 196 11% 185 36%




Total


Unclassified 1,519 89% 325 64%

Total 1,715 100% 510 100%



Outcome of tracing and other follow-up activities on seized firearms in Spain, 2016-2017

Spain Tracing result

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


Weapon seized from its legitimate owner and weapon found in national registry 6,376 71% 8,836 83%

Weapon seized from 189 2% 212 2%

illegitimate owner and weapon found in national registry

Point of diversion of the weapon (last legal record) identified through tracing and weapon found in foreign registry 0 0

Point of diversion otherwise established by a competent authority 737 8% 0

Tracing attempted, but not enough information to identify point of diversion 17 1% 8 0%



Total 8155 91% 9118 86%

Not uniquely identifiable Illicitly manufactured 0 0

Erased or altered marking 848 9% 1484 14%

No information available about the item 0 0

Total 848 9% 1,484 14%

Unknown status with respect to marking Total 9,003 100% 10,602 100%

Outcome of tracing and other follow-up activities on seized firearms in the United Kingdom, 2016-

2017

United Kingdom Tracing result

2016 2017

Seized firearms

% of total Seized

firearms % of total


Weapon seized from its legitimate owner and weapon found in national registry 0 0

Weapon seized from illegitimate owner and weapon found in national registry 55 6% 39 4%

Point of diversion of the weapon (last legal record) identified through tracing and weapon found in foreign registry 75 8% 70 8%

Point of diversion otherwise established by a competent authority 11 1% 7 1%

Tracing attempted, but not enough information to identify point of diversion 0 0


No tracing procedure initiated 656 69% 714 75%

Total 826 87% 915 97% Not uniquely identifiable Illicitly manufactured 17 2% 24 3%

Erased or altered marking 103 11% 8 1&

No information available about the item 0 0

Total 120 13% 32 3%

Unknown status with respect 0 0

to marking

Total 946 100% 947 100%

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