Key Takeaways:
– Ukraine is initiating an accessible declaration mechanism for firearms from November 25.
– Citizens aged 21 and above with unregistered weapons can declare them to the National Police.
– Declared weapons can be maintained for the period of martial law.
– After the end of martial law, these weapons can be recycled and registered as authorized weapons.
– People with criminal records or instances of domestic violence cannot declare weapons.
In an effort to bring unregistered weapons under regulation, Ukraine is set to institute a simple, accessible system for the voluntary declaration of firearms from November 25.
An Informative Dialogue with Ukrainians
Deputy Interior Minister Bohdan Drapiatyi took the opportunity to detail the working of this new initiative. The welcoming mechanism invites citizens to any territorial body of the National Police equipped for the same.
Participation is optional for citizens above 21 years holding unregistered weapons. The procedure thereafter is straightforward. You just need to indicate where and when the weapon was found or received. Notably, not all weapons are subject to this declaration. For instance, assault rifles or pistols currently banned for civilians, can be declared and held in storage for purposes of protection against external threats.
Limitations to the Declaration System
However, a few defining limits have been set to ensure that this initiative is not misused. Individuals with criminal backgrounds or charges of domestic violence will not be able to participate in this initiative. Weapons with tampered or destroyed markings will also not be permitted for declaration. This is an integral part of the initiative designed to maintain law and order and avert misuse.
The Option for Voluntary Relinquishment
An interesting provision has also been worked out for those citizens who find unregistered weapons but do not wish to keep them. They can voluntarily hand over such guns to the National Police without the risk of incurring criminal liability.
Legal Consequences
Additionally, individuals found in possession of unregistered weapons could face legal implications under Article 263 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates imprisonment ranging from 3 to 7 years.
Post Martial Law Procedure
Once martial law concludes, citizens will have the latitude to acquire found weapons if they are permissible for civilian use, not owned by anyone, and free from criminal involvements. This clause, however, does not extend to trophy weapons which have separate storage and accounting procedures in the Armed Forces.
New Legislation Steers the Path Ahead
On August 20, the Verkhovna Rada passed a significant law streamlining the process of declaration and handling of firearms. It covers firearms issued to civilians during martial law and allows them to declare their weapons and ammunitions. It is foreseen that these state-owned weapons can be utilized by civilians during martial law, but have to be returned to the national police within 90 days of its termination or cancellation. This critically important legislation takes effect from November 25.
Closing thoughts
Such organized efforts to regulate firearms could eradicate the possession of unregistered weapons, leading to safer environments. As reported by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as of August’s culmination, it is estimated that Ukrainians may possess about 2 to 5 million undeclared firearms, a number expected to drop as this new initiative takes effect.