If you don't want to suffer, hurry up and voluntarily surrender your weapons!
Weapons have always held a certain romantic appeal, especially for men. However, illegal actions involving weapons carry administrative responsibility. What kind and for what? In anticipation of the "Arsenal" special complex event, held from October 09 to October 13, 2023, Senior District Inspector of the Public Order and Prevention Department of the Miory District Department of Internal Affairs, Police Major Viktor Gardukevich, answers.
Despite the measures taken by internal affairs bodies, various types of weapons are used for unlawful purposes: for illegal hunting and for committing other unlawful acts that entail serious consequences.
In order to counteract the illegal trafficking of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices, and explosive substances, and to improve the criminal situation associated with their use, the main stage of the operational-preventive special complex event "Arsenal" will be held from October 09 to October 13, 2023.
The objectives of this event are:
- prevention of theft of weapons, ammunition, and explosive substances from facilities of the licensing system;
- prevention and detection of crimes related to illegal actions involving firearms and other weapons, ammunition, explosive devices, and explosive substances;
- checking the conditions for storing weapons by individual owners;
Identification and prosecution of persons illegally storing, transporting, manufacturing, or selling weapons, ammunition, and explosive substances.
Article 24.46. The Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus states that illegal acquisition, transfer of ownership, possession, transportation, mailing, or carrying of smooth-bore hunting firearms or ammunition therefor, or illegal acquisition, transfer of ownership, transportation, mailing, or carrying of component parts or components of smooth-bore hunting firearms shall entail a fine of ten to thirty base units with or without confiscation of the object of the administrative offense, or deprivation of the right to engage in certain activities with or without confiscation of the object of the administrative offense.
In accordance with Art. 24.30, violation of the rules for accounting, storage, use, transportation, or mailing of firearms, ammunition, explosive, flammable, corrosive substances, or pyrotechnic articles shall entail a fine of up to ten base units. The same act committed repeatedly within one year after the imposition of an administrative penalty for the same offense shall entail a fine of ten to twenty base units with or without confiscation of the object of the administrative offense, or deprivation of the right to engage in certain activities with or without confiscation of the object of the administrative offense.
Violation of the established deadlines for registration of firearms, gas, pneumatic, or projectile weapons, as well as the established deadlines for extension of permits for their storage and carrying, or the rules for their registration upon change of residence, shall entail a fine of four to fifteen base units (Article 24.31). Evasion of the sale of firearms or ammunition by a person whose permit for their storage has been revoked shall entail a fine of two to four base units (Article 24.32).
In accordance with Art. 24.29, illegal carrying or transportation of cold weapons entails a fine of two to six basic units, with or without confiscation of the item of administrative offense. Illegal carrying or transportation of gas, pneumatic, or projectile weapons entails a fine of eight to ten basic units, with or without confiscation of the item of administrative offense.
Art. 295 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus provides for liability for illegal manufacturing, acquisition, transfer of possession, sale, storage, transportation, mailing, or carrying of firearms, their components or parts, ammunition (exception: hunting smooth-bore firearms and ammunition for them), explosives, explosive devices. Such actions are punishable by correctional labor for up to 2 years, or arrest, or restriction of liberty for up to 5 years, or deprivation of liberty for up to 7 years with or without a fine. If the crime is committed repeatedly or by an organized group, the punishment is stricter.
– Many ask whether the circulation of traumatic weapons is permitted in the Republic of Belarus?
– In accordance with Article 8 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus of November 13, 2001 "On Weapons", the circulation of traumatic weapons in the territory of the Republic of Belarus is prohibited. Therefore, issuing permits for the acquisition of traumatic weapons and their import into the Republic of Belarus is not possible.
However, those who voluntarily surrender unnecessary or unregistered weapons and ammunition are exempted from liability.
By calling 102, one can report, including anonymously, illegally stored weapons, ammunition, and explosives, as well as learn about the procedure for voluntary surrender of such items.
We remind you that every Wednesday, in all public law enforcement points located in the territory of Miory and the district, police precinct inspectors receive citizens, namely: in rural areas from 10:00 to 13:00, in the cities of Miory and Disna from 17:00 to 20:00.