The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine spoke in favor of adopting a law on civilian weapons
Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko stated the need for legislative regulation of the issue of civilian weapons in the state. During a meeting with media representatives, the head of the department emphasized that the legal field should clearly classify types of weapons, in particular hunting, smooth-bore and rifled.
According to him, the key condition for owning such means is the mandatory completion by citizens of a specialized course on safe handling.
“I want a law on civilian weapons. Types of weapons, carbines, that is, hunting weapons, smooth-bore, rifled — all this needs to be classified. And a person must undergo a training course, in particular, on the safe handling of this weapon,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
The proposal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs provides for the development of a comprehensive infrastructure, which includes amendments to the criminal legislation and a clear definition of the boundaries of necessary defense. The implementation plan also includes the expansion of the network of shooting ranges and the creation of appropriate places for storing protective equipment.
The main goal of the initiative is to guarantee citizens the right to armed self-defense, provided that they have full theoretical and practical training.
“We are ready for this dialogue. We want this system to exist. So that people have the right to armed self-defense. And, most importantly, that this person is prepared,” he said.
The head of the ministry has already held preliminary discussions with the people’s deputies of Ukraine. Wide consultations are scheduled to begin next week, which will involve specialized experts, representatives of public organizations and journalists. Ihor Klymenko noted that in order to make an effective decision, it is necessary to take into account all existing positions and opinions.
“We need to hear all opinions in order to reach an effective decision,” he added.
The discussion on the circulation of weapons intensified against the background of an incident in the Holosiivskyi district of the capital, where on April 18 an unknown person opened fire on people and took hostages in a store. Investigators
Ukrainian security services have classified these events as a terrorist act, in which seven people were killed. The attacker, who was eliminated during the detention, used an officially registered carbine.
Despite the high-profile case, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine assured that the department does not plan to conduct mass checks of current weapon owners. The main attention will be focused on creating new transparent rules of the game, which will allow to increase the level of public safety through clear regulation of the rights and obligations of weapon owners.
