The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a new draft law that allows citizens to declare found firearms and use them to protect against Russian aggression. 291 deputies voted for the bill. This was announced by People’s Deputy from “European Solidarity” Oleksiy Goncharenko during broadcasting meeting.
According to the new law, civilians who find firearms or ammunition must immediately report it to the National Police and hand over the found to law enforcement within 24 hours. After that, the weapon can remain with the police or be declared and returned to the owner until the end of martial law. After the end of martial law, citizens will have 90 days to finally surrender their weapons.
The draft law contains certain exceptions: large-caliber rifled weapons (caliber from 12.7 mm) and their ammunition, smooth-bore weapons with a caliber of more than 23 mm, as well as weapons belonging to military personnel, law enforcement officers and other special services are not subject to declaration.
According to the explanatory note to the draft law, the goal of this initiative is to provide civilians with the opportunity to legally declare found weapons to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression, as well as streamlining the rules for handling weapons.
