European Firearms Experts Network (hereinafter EFE ) is an informal Network of the national experts from the European countries, which was established to provide the Law Enforcement Working Party of the EU Council with the competent knowledge. It was decided to establish this Network of the national firearms experts at the 10th European Police Chiefs meeting in 2004, seeking to ensure more efficient fight against illegal turnover of firearms by common efforts of the EU Member States. EFE Network considers legal, organizational, technical and other continuing issues which are important for preventing the turnover of illegal firearms and firearm-related crimes in the EU, as well as enhancing the control and effective interaction of law enforcement institutions in these fields.

On 22-23 April this year the EFE plenary meeting is going to be conducted in Athens, Greece. The meeting will be attended by representatives of the member states, representatives of EUROPOL, COMMISSION and INTERPOL. Additionally, non-MS such as Norway, Switzerland and Lichtenstein are invited to attend the meeting. It will be focused on the ways of controlling the trade in firearms on the Internet and at the fairs, the fight against converting inappropriate or gas arms into firearms, as well as illegal trafficking in firearms on the territory of the European Union. The issues of controlling the shipment of firearms and making firearms absolutely unusable will also be discussed at the meeting. Delegations will also receive an update on the state of play concerning operational actions on firearms illegal use and trafficking undertaken in the framework of the EU Policy Cycle.  Furthermore, presentations about Interpol system iARMS as well as a case – study about tracing weapons related to iARMS will be presented .