THE RIGHT TO RECEIVE AND RETURN WEAPONS IN UKRAINE DURING THE RULE OF MARTIAL STATUS

With the beginning of the introduction of martial law on the territory of Ukraine, the order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine dated March 1, 2022 № 170 specified the specifics of the procedure for issuing permits for the purchase, carrying and storage of hunting weapons and accessories to citizens of Ukraine. This order is temporary and applies only to hunting weapons.

As a general rule, persons who have reached the age of 18 can own cold weapons, emasculated and pneumatic weapons. Also, from the age of 21, a person can obtain a permit to own hunting smoothbore weapons.

In order to obtain a weapon, namely a permit to purchase and store, the procedure for obtaining it was simplified during martial law. That is, currently, in order to obtain a hunting weapon, you need to write a petition in the name of the head of the police body and add documents, namely:

• Direct request for the issuance of a permit;
• A copy of the document confirming the person who wishes to obtain a permit;
• After receiving a weapon, it must be registered within 10 days with the internal affairs authorities in order to issue a permit for storage and carrying.

Return of weapons after the end of martial law

In accordance with Article 3 of the Law of Ukraine № 2114-IX "On Ensuring the Participation of Civilians in the Defense of Ukraine" and Clause 9 of the Procedure for Issuing Firearms and Ammunition to Civilians Who Participate in Repelling and Deterring Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation or Other States, approved Order № 175 of the Ministry of Internal Affairs dated March 7, 2022 states to persons who received weapons that the received weapons must be returned by persons within 10 days after the lifting of martial law.

Where to return weapons?

According to the current legislation, persons who received weapons in the past must return them to the National Police of Ukraine within the prescribed period. It is possible to hand in weapons to any police station.

Also, weapons can be both independently issued by a person and forcibly removed by authorities during martial law, but in specific cases, namely:

• A person's refusal to participate in repelling armed aggression;
• In the event of a change of place of permanent residence or temporary stay;
• Impossibility for any other reason to participate in resistance to armed aggression;
• If a person has committed an act that humiliates such a person;
• If the person has committed a criminal offense with the use of a firearm or if the person threatens to use such a weapon.

In the event that a person has lost a weapon or ammunition for it, and the components that are subject to return, he must report this by applying to the National Police of Ukraine branch.