Gun collectors could be forced to apply for a licence and undergo background checks even if they only own deactivated weapons if European Union (EU) officials get their way. Critics have called the proposed legislation "excessive," and have accused the EU of harassing responsible gun owners. EU officials have deemed the last round of regulations, introduced in 2008, to be inadequate, claiming that they leave Europe "vulnerable to criminal activity." European leaders have agreed, vowing in the wake of the Paris attacks to "rapidly examine" the new proposals with the intention of approving them at a summit in February. The...