The right to self-defense and stricter control: the Ministry of Internal Affairs is working on the law on civilian weapons

The issue of legislative regulation of the circulation of civilian weapons in Ukraine is entering a new stage of discussion. Representatives of the parliamentary Committee on Law Enforcement Activities, the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and law enforcement agencies, as well as representatives of civil society, discussed future rules for obtaining weapon permits, the right to self-defense, owners' responsibilities, and mechanisms of state control. The parties outlined key issues that require further elaboration to prepare legislative changes.

What issues regarding civilian weapons were discussed at the Ministry of Internal Affairs

One of the main blocks of discussion was administrative issues related to obtaining a weapon permit.

Meeting participants reviewed general conditions for access to weapon ownership, the procedure for obtaining a permit, the list of necessary documents, medical examinations, training, exams, and video recording of the relevant procedures.

Control and supervision over compliance with the permit system requirements and the activities of weapons market entities were also discussed.

The working meeting was attended by members of the Ukrainian parliament, the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Police of Ukraine, representatives of the Office of the President of Ukraine, military and veteran communities, public human rights organizations, and the media community.

Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko added that representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR), the legal community, and the public also joined the discussion.

The right to self-defense and responsibility of weapon owners

A separate block was devoted to issues of self-defense and responsibility.

In particular, participants discussed the limits of using weapons for self-defense of the owner and third parties, as well as the possible revision of certain police powers.

The third block concerned the grounds and procedure for the circulation of civilian weapons.

As a result of the meeting, the main discussion directions requiring further elaboration and discussion were identified.

As previously reported by the "Judicial and Legal Newspaper", Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko announced expert consultations on the legislative regulation of civilian firearms circulation in Ukraine.

According to him, during the discussions, participants focused on citizens' right to self-defense, classification of permitted types of weapons, grounds for their use by civilians, as well as mechanisms for confiscating weapons in cases of threatening behavior by the owner or domestic violence incidents.

Klymenko noted that firearms are already legalized in Ukraine, but the rules of their circulation require updating and clear regulation at the legislative level. Work on the relevant changes is being carried out by order of the President of Ukraine.

The minister also announced the creation of a working group on the regulatory and legal regulation of civilian weapons circulation issues.

"It is within this platform that agreed positions will become proposals to be sent to the relevant Committee of the Verkhovna Rada," he said.

According to the minister, among the priority areas of the group's work are defining a clear procedure for obtaining a weapon permit and regulating issues of responsibility and self-defense.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs also noted that to implement future changes, it is necessary to develop the appropriate infrastructure—from shooting ranges to safe weapon storage systems—as well as to amend criminal legislation regarding the definition of the limits of necessary self-defense.

Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for a review of the rules for using weapons to protect people after a terrorist attack in Kyiv on April 18.

Additionally, the "Judicial and Legal Newspaper" wrote that the lack of comprehensive legislative regulation of weapon circulation creates a situation where citizens' use of self-defense means may generate additional legal risks for their owners.

Subscribe to our Telegram channel t.me/sudua and to Google News SUD.UA, as well as to our VIBER and WhatsApp, Facebook page and Instagram to stay informed about the most important events.