The issue of personal security began to worry Ukrainians with the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. Since then, probably every Ukrainian has thought about purchasing a weapon for self-defense.
However, owning a weapon — an important and responsible step that requires some preparation. First of all, you need to obtain a permit to own a weapon in order to use and store it legally.
How to obtain a weapons permit in Ukraine in 2023 and the important stages of this process — ICTV facts were asked by lawyer of the law association Leshchenko, Doroshenko and Partners Alina Davydova.
Currently watching
Why do you need to apply for a weapons permit in Ukraine?
During the period of large-scale war, the issue of acquiring weapons to protect one’s life and health, property and loved ones began to arise more and more often in Ukrainian society.
— However, we should not forget that the acquisition and possession of weapons must be carried out exclusively taking into account the established requirements of the law. Since the legislation of Ukraine provides for administrative and criminal liability for failure to comply with such requirements, — says the lawyer.
According to Davydova, obtaining a weapons permit provides a person with the opportunity to acquire and own them legally, and, accordingly, avoid legal liability for failure to comply with these requirements.
In addition, the presence of a permitting system for the possession of weapons allows the state to control its use, ensure the implementation of the preventive function of protecting society from the misuse of weapons and prevent cases of loss or theft of weapons.
How has the procedure for obtaining a permit for weapons changed? weapons for the period of martial law
You can obtain a weapons permit in Ukraine in accordance with paragraphs 1, 2 of section 1 of the Regulations on the permit system.
The permit system applies to:
- firearms (military-style rifled weapons, non-modern small arms, sports, training, gunned, hunting rifled and smooth-bore weapons) and ammunition for them;
- edged weapons (crossbows, hunting knives, etc.);
- pneumatic weapons with a caliber of over 4.5 ml and a bullet speed of over 100 m/sec;
- domestic-made devices for shooting cartridges;
- equipped with rubber or similar non-lethal projectiles in their properties, and the specified cartridges, explosive materials and substances.
— The issuance of permits for these types of weapons is carried out in the manner determined by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. And the general procedure for issuing weapons permits has been in effect in Ukraine since 1998, — adds the lawyer.
The procedure for obtaining a weapons permit during martial law has partially changed — somewhat simplified, but only for a certain type of weapon.
The procedure for obtaining a permit has been simplified in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 170 dated 03/01/2022. This document simplified the procedure for granting permission to purchase, store and carry exclusively in relation to hunting firearms and ammunition for them.
Consequently, today in Ukraine there are actually two procedures that regulate the procedure for obtaining weapons permits:
- general — instructions approved by order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine No. 622 (applies to all types of weapons that are covered by the licensing system);
- temporary — approved by Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine dated March 1, 2022 No. 170, which applies to obtaining permits for hunting weapons during martial law.
— It is worth noting that the validity of Order No. 170 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is limited exclusively to the period of martial law and applies only to hunting weapons. In addition, after the end or termination of martial law, within 10 days, a person must register a weapon and a permit for it in compliance with the conditions specified in the instructions, — adds the lawyer.
How to obtain a weapons permit in Ukraine 2023: where to apply and documents
— To obtain atemporary permitfor weapons during martial law, a citizen of Ukraine must contact the authorized units of the National Police of Ukraine, — says Davydova.
Package of documents for obtaining permits for hunting weapons:
- a written application from a person for permission to purchase, store and carry hunting weapons;
- copies of pages of a passport of a citizen of Ukraine;
- copy of a military ID for privates, sergeants and petty officers, a military ID for a reserve officer (based on availability);
- a copy of the ID of a pensioner or veteran of military service, internal affairs bodies, National Police of Ukraine, National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, Judicial Protection Service, State Fire Department, State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, Civil Protection Service, Tax Police, Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine or State Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine, or a copy of the ID of a member of a public formation for the protection of public order, or a copy of a weapons permit (if available).
— A person receives a weapons permit after certain checks are carried out by the police, the duration of which should not exceed two days. This only applies to obtaining a temporary permit, — adds the lawyer.
To obtain permission from the police authorities to purchase main parts for hunting firearms, citizens submit:
- application for a purchase permit main parts of the weapon addressed to the head of the police agency at the applicant’s place of residence;
- a copy of the permit for the right to store and carry weapons of the appropriate type, model;
- payment document (payment order, receipt) with a mark from the bank, post office or code of the transaction carried out regarding the deposit of funds for the provision of the corresponding paid service.
Photo: Unsplash
If you want to immediately apply for a general permit for weapons, that is, according to the instructions, then you need to contact the territorial police departments.
To obtain a purchase permit from the police authorities< /strong>any type of weapon, you must have the following documents:
- application for a permit to purchase weapons addressed to the head of the police authority at your place of residence;
- completed application card ;
- medical certificate (except for cold weapons);
- certificate on the study of the material part of the weapon, special equipment, rules for handling and using them (except for cold weapons);
- payment document (payment order , receipt) with a mark from the bank, post office or the code of the transaction performed on the deposit of funds for the provision of the corresponding paid service;
- copies of pages 1, 2 and 11 of the passport of a citizen of Ukraine (for persons with an ID passport — a copy of the passport and an extract from the Unified State Demographic Register regarding registration of place of residence).
List of documents , which the owner must provide to the police to obtain permission to store and carry hunting firearms, shotguns, smooth-bore weapons, pneumatic weapons, edged and cold weapons:
- application for issuance permits to store and carry weapons in the name of the head of the police agency;
- two photographs measuring 3 x 4 cm;
- a duplicate of the permit with the store’s mark on the sale of weapons, devices or with a mark on their re-registration in the manner prescribed by law;
- payment document (payment order, receipt ) with a mark of the bank, post office or code of the transaction carried out on the deposit of funds for the provision of the corresponding paid service. In addition, the owner of the weapon must present an insurance contract.
— I note that the validity period of permits to store and carry weapons isthree years, after which a person can apply to extend the validity of such a permit. At the same time, re-registration (extension of the validity period of the permit to store and carry) of empty weapons is not carried out, — adds the lawyer.
Procedure for obtaining a weapons permit 2023
- First you need to submit a package of documents to the police and obtain permission to purchase weapons. The purchase permit is valid for only three months.
- Within 10 days from the date of purchase, you must register the weapon with the police at your place of residence and obtain permission to store and carry it.
< p>— The rules for storing weapons and ammunition, main parts, devices and ammunition for weapons must be strictly observed. They must be stored in metal boxes and safes specially made for storing weapons. It is also important to ensure that the weapon is stored in an unloaded condition, — Davydova advises.
If a citizen of Ukraine, during the period of martial law, plans to buy only hunting weapons:
- You need to submit documents to the authorized unit of the National Police of Ukraine to obtain permission to purchase such weapons .
- Buy a hunting weapon.
- Submit the necessary documents to the police along with an application for a permit to store and carry the appropriate weapon.
— After this, the person receives permission to store and carry weapons, which is valid until the end/cessation of martial law, — says the lawyer.
Who will not be able to obtain a weapons permit in Ukraine
The impossibility of obtaining a weapons permit is primarily related to age restrictions:
< ul>
There are no other clear prohibitions for obtaining a weapons permit, however, if the results of a medical examination reveal the presence of medical contraindications for owning a weapon, then the person is not will be able to obtain permission.
