A law on firearms is being prepared in Ukraine: the Minister of Internal Affairs spoke about what it provides for

Ukraine is moving to the practical preparation of legislation that should regulate the circulation of civilian firearms and establish clear rules for those who claim the right to own them. The Ministry of Internal Affairs views this reform as a complex security issue, where the human right to self-defense must be combined with inspections, training, responsibility and the ability of the state to respond quickly in the event of risky behavior by the owner.

As Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko reported, the development of the draft law is being carried out in fulfillment of the assignment of the President of Ukraine, and the consultations have already involved people’s deputies, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation and the Office of the President. The discussion focuses on several key blocks: the limits of the right to self-defense, the list of permitted types of weapons, the legal grounds for their use by civilians and the procedure for confiscating them from those who may pose a danger to the environment.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs insists that the future permit for weapons should be based not only on an administrative procedure, but on a full-fledged training system. A person who wants to purchase a firearm will have to take special courses, gain theoretical knowledge, practice practical skills at shooting ranges and pass exams that will confirm the ability to safely handle weapons.

To launch such a model, the state plans to develop the appropriate infrastructure, including training centers, shooting ranges and training sites, where future owners can master the rules of safe use of weapons. Such an approach, according to the logic of the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, should separate the desire to obtain a permit from the person’s real readiness to bear responsibility for weapons.

The minister placed special emphasis on restrictions for those to whom access to weapons should be closed. This category may include persons with medical contraindications, in particular mental disorders, people with addictions, as well as citizens with a criminal past or recorded facts of illegal activity, even if the case did not end in court.

The future law should also provide for mechanisms for the rapid seizure of weapons from owners whose behavior poses a threat, as well as in cases related to domestic violence. For the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this is one of the fundamental safeguards, since a weapon in the hands of a person who demonstrates aggression or dangerous behavior becomes a risk for the family, neighbors, and society.

In addition, Klymenko noted that the possibility of civilians’ access to short-barreled weapons is being discussed separately. If the law allows the possession of pistols, the conditions for this will be stricter than for other types of civilian weapons: the potential owner must be over 28 years old and have at least five years of experience in legally owning other civilian weapons.

The minister also links the legislative regulation of this area with Ukraine’s European integration, since the state must bring the rules for the circulation of weapons up to modern control standards. The Ministry of Internal Affairs expects that the new system will not only determine the rights and obligations of legal owners, but also strengthen supervision over weapons that may be outside official registration.

“Weapons are a right. The first priority is responsibility. And it must be supported by strict checks. Filters that people with mental disorders, addictions, and criminal histories will not be able to pass through (even if the case has not reached court).

These are safeguards that must work at every stage.

The path to legislative regulation of the issue of civilian firearms circulation is difficult and debatable.

But the position of the participants of the gathering is unified: the Law on the Circulation of Civilian Firearms in Ukraine is necessary. Both for citizens and law enforcement officers. In addition, this is one of the country’s European integration obligations,” – emphasized Ihor Klymenko.