In conjunction with the German Gunsmith and Gun Trad Association (VDB), AECAC met on the 6th of June in Braunschweig, Germany. Our political guest was Lower Saxony’s MEP Lena Düpont (EPP), with whom we had been in regular exchange on EU topics such as the EU Firearms Regulation. In addition to a tour of the master gunsmith Knappworst, the exchange focussed on the European policy challenges for our industry in the coming legislative term.
At the invitation of Managing Director Stefan Knappworst, we were able to start our political summer tour three days before the European elections. First of all, the MEP was given a detailed tour of the company, from the shop to the workshop. Three generations of the Knappworst family were on hand to provide the politician with insights into the business and everyday working life. Our message: Bureaucracy and administrative requirements are already on a very high level. An increase in political regulations is a huge burden on companies and authorities – but do not lead to any increase in public safety.
Picture Picture from left to right:
Peter Husen, Stefan Knappworst, MEP Lena Düpont, Susanne Knappworst, Peter Braß
The MEP reported from Brussels that an evaluation of the EU Firearms Directive would probably be due next year. According to the MEP from the town of Gifhorn, it is important that the affected associations and industry companies get involved at an early stage and contribute their expertise to the discussions in Brussels. A revision of the directive is by no means ruled out.
Finally, there was some good news from the family-run company. The 180-year-old traditional company Knappworst is expanding and will be moving to the newly built site at Waller See in Schwülper this autumn.
Mrs Düpont was invited to the opening as a guest of honour.
‘We would like to thank Stefan and Susanne Knappworst for their hospitality. And we would especially like to thank Lena Düpont for taking a whole afternoon to address our political concerns so close to the elections. ‘Brussels is and remains important,’ said AECAC Secretary-General Peter Brass, summarising the successful exchange.