Request for a preliminary ruling from the Cour constitutionnelle (Belgium) lodged on 12 April 2021 – Défense Active des Amateurs d’Armes ASBL, NG, WL v Conseil des ministres

(Case C-234/21)

Language of the case: French

Referring court

Cour constitutionnelle

Parties to the main proceedings

Applicants: Défense Active des Amateurs d’Armes ASBL, NG, WL

Defendant: Conseil des ministres

Question referred

Does Article 7(4a) of Directive 91/477/EEC, ¹ read in conjunction with points 6 to 9 of category A of Part II of Annex 1 to that directive, infringe Articles 17(1), 20 and 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the principle of the protection of legitimate expectations in that it does not allow Member States to provide for transitional arrangements for firearms covered by category A.9 which were lawfully acquired and registered before 13 June 2017, whereas it allows them to provide for transitional arrangements for firearms covered by categories A.6 to A.8 which were lawfully acquired and registered before 13 June 2017?

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¹ Council Directive 91/477/EEC of 18 June 1991 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons (

OJ 1991 L 256, p. 51).