The Ministry of Internal Affairs supports the possession of short-barreled weapons by civilians: Andriy Nebytov explained under what conditions this is possible
After the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the issue of civilian access to weapons became not only a political or legal, but also a security challenge. Against the background of cases of violence, high-profile murders, trade in illegal weapons and the increase in their number in the rear regions, the state is in a situation where it must simultaneously ensure the right to self-defense and prevent the escalation of threats. In this context, the position of the National Police, which historically supports the state’s monopoly on the use of force, acquires special importance. His vision of the development of the situation regarding the circulation of short-barreled firearms expressed Deputy Head of the National Police of Ukraine — Chief of the Criminal Police, General Andrii Nebytov.
The general believes that even experienced soldiers who carry weapons sometimes do not have time to use them in the event of a sudden threat. Since the beginning of the war, the state has already given citizens the opportunity to get weapons and stand up for the defense of Ukraine. At the same time, after the de-occupation of Kyiv region and other regions, a certain amount of weapons fell into the hands of the civilian population outside of legal mechanisms. Currently, there is a procedure for registering such weapons – a citizen can declare them, officially issue them and legally store them until the end of martial law and for another 90 days after.
Nebytov notes that daily police reports contain reports of incidents involving illegal weapons. For example, when a teenager opened fire with a machine gun brought by someone from the front, or the case when a woman in the Mykolaiv region found a grenade in her husband’s house, brought it to a friend and died, taking the life of a three-year-old child. Such examples show that the presence of weapons in the home is always a potential tragedy, especially if they can be taken by children or people without training.
He emphasizes that today almost 1.1 million people in Ukraine own legal weapons. They have 1.36 million firearms, mostly hunting, as well as about 250,000 traumatic weapons. Such a scale, according to Nebytov, in itself requires careful regulation.
The general believes that the right to self-defense should be guaranteed. The Ministry of Internal Affairs supports the concept of civilian ownership of short-barreled weapons, but under certain conditions. One of the key conditions, he says, is the formation of a culture of handling weapons — the presence of responsibility, training, training, and safety knowledge. Another mandatory condition is guaranteeing safety for the environment. A person has the right to a weapon, but others have the right not to be near armed persons in places of rest, parks, restaurants. Nebytov suggests that future legislation will define zones where it is forbidden to carry weapons.
Nebytov emphasizes that the national police acts exclusively within the current legislation: if a new law is adopted, the police will implement it. He realistically admits that after the end of the war, the liberalization of the rules for the use of weapons will be inevitable, although it is too early to predict the timing. Until then, citizens who want to obtain the right to use weapons can join the ranks of the National Police, SBU, Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies and defend Ukraine legally with weapons in hand.
Regarding high-profile crimes, Nebytov cites the example of the events in Sofiivska Borshchagivka. According to the police, the soldier sold the machine gun to a neighbor for $1,000, and later demanded additional payment, which was the reason for the escalation of the conflict and led to a double murder. The general cites statistics according to which the number of recorded cases of arms trafficking increased fivefold — from 200 cases in 2021 to more than 1,000. He reports that in 2021 the police seized 156 automatic weapons, and in the following years — already 1,581 (2022), 1,567 (2023), and 1,721 (2024). So, a tenfold increase.
Nebytov notes that almost all illegal weapons were once legal. Among the confiscated ones is even a trophy, which used to be registered in Russian military units, but now it is out of control and creates risks in the rear.
Regarding the conflicts at checkpoints and train stations between the military and the police, Nebitov points to a complex emotional background. He believes that the Russians, with the help of information and psychological operations (IPSO), are actively scaling the topic for internal division. However, the police act in the interests of citizens, so that weapons from the front do not get into peaceful cities and do not cripple lives. The police are taking measures in this direction: in 2024, 238 people illegally transporting weapons were found at checkpoints, and 78 firearms, 353 grenades, and more than 40,000 cartridges were seized from them.
He admits that there is accumulated fatigue in both the police and the military, and that the actions of individual law enforcement officers can negatively affect the reputation of the entire police force. That is why, according to the general, control measures are being taken — all patrolmen have body cameras, the Military Law and Order Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard are involved.
Nebytov also reports that the police is studying the experience of other countries, in particular Israel and the USA. In America, as an example, car license plates may have special markings indicating the driver’s participation in hostilities. This helps the police better navigate communication with veterans. At the same time, he understands that such an approach is inappropriate for Ukraine during the war, as it can make a serviceman a target for sabotage groups. But notes that such models can be useful in the post-war period.
In conclusion, Nebytov adds that international funds have already attracted foreign specialists who will train Ukrainian police officers in effective communication, providing psychological assistance and working with the military. This, he believes, will allow the police to better perform their functions, maintaining a balance between the safety of citizens and respect for those who have gone through the war.
