War

Voluntary declaration of weapons starts in Ukraine today

on November 25, the Law of Ukraine, which improves the procedure for obtaining, declaring and handling firearms, will come into force, allowing citizens to legalize their unregistered weapons. Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Bohdan Drapyatyi said this in an interview with Dzerkalo Tyzhnia, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.

The official assured that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is making every effort to ensure that starting November 25, citizens can easily apply at the relevant territorial body of the National Police.

“Those who declare the found weapons will be able to legally keep them during martial law. And after it ends, they can acquire ownership if the weapon is allowed in civilian circulation, does not belong to anyone, and no crimes have been committed with its use. This does not apply to trophy weapons, which are accounted for separately and stored in the Armed Forces,” said Bohdan Drapyaty.

How to declare weapons

You need to contact the relevant territorial body of the National Police. Fill out a declaration application. The form is simple. According to the deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, you need to indicate where and when the weapon was found. The police will record its data and return it for storage until the end of martial law. If a citizen does not want to keep the weapon, the National Police will accept it on a voluntary basis.

Not all types of weapons will be subject to declaration

According to the Law “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring the Participation of Civilians in the Defense of Ukraine” on Improving the Procedure for Receiving, Declaring and Handling Firearms”, the following weapons are not subject to declaration

– rifled firearms with a caliber of 12.7 mm or more and ammunition for them;

– smooth-bore firearms with a caliber of more than 23 mm and ammunition for them;

– machine guns, grenade launchers, mortars, flamethrowers, portable anti-aircraft missile systems, barrel artillery systems and ammunition, and other weapons and ammunition that cannot be owned by civilians;

– firearms and ammunition used as a means or instrument of a criminal offense;

– firearms with removed or illegally altered markings;

– firearms and ammunition assigned to military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations formed in accordance with the laws of Ukraine;

– ammunition separately from firearms.

Also, people with a criminal record will not be able to legalize weapons.

It will be easier to obtain a permit to own weapons

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Bohdan Drapyaty said that the Diia app will have an option to obtain and renew weapons permits.

He reminded that since June 2023, the Unified Register of Weapons and the electronic office of the weapon owner have been in operation, which has greatly simplified the process of applying for or renewing permits.