During a citizen reception, a resident of one of the district's settlements approached the district police inspector of the POPP of the Miory District Department of Internal Affairs, police captain Andrey Tolopilo.
During a reception of citizens, a resident of one of the district's settlements approached the district police inspector of the public security police department of the Miory District Department of Internal Affairs, police captain Andrey Tolopilo, with a request to clarify the norms of legislation regulating the handling of pneumatic weapons.
The police officer drew attention to the fact that everyone who considers purchasing and using pneumatic weapons must be guided by the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Belarus "On Weapons".
– Is a permit required to purchase pneumatic weapons in Belarus?
– Pneumatic weapons are divided into types depending on muzzle energy. Namely: sports – from 3 to 25 J, hunting – 7.5 J – 25 J, as well as products structurally similar to pneumatic weapons with an energy of up to 3 J.
Products structurally similar to weapons with a muzzle energy of no more than 3 J and pneumatic weapons with a muzzle energy of no more than 7.5 J are not subject to registration and are acquired without obtaining a permit.
– How dangerous is a pneumatic pistol?
– Even simple pistols with an energy of up to 3 J can be dangerous. Their use requires extreme caution. Firing at someone else's property, let alone at people and animals, can be qualified as hooliganism, exceeding the limits of necessary defense, causing bodily harm, which will ultimately lead to liability for the committed act. Before choosing pneumatic weapons, study their characteristics, operating principle, and overall quality in detail.
– Is it permissible to carry a pneumatic pistol on the street?
– Transportation of pneumatic weapons within a settlement is possible, but only in a case or holster and necessarily in an unloaded state. Pneumatic pistols often resemble copies of real firearms in appearance. This always attracts the attention of law enforcement agencies.
– Is the purchase of a pneumatic pistol allowed for a minor?
– The purchase and use of weapons by citizens under the age of 18 are strictly prohibited. The same applies to the question of from what age a pneumatic pistol can be carried. Only citizens who have reached the age of majority can do so.
– Where can one shoot an air gun?
– We advise you to think carefully before choosing an air gun: what do you need an air gun for? Often, pistols with a muzzle energy of up to 3 J are used to improve shooting skills and abilities, as well as for active shooting recreation. Shooting from them is allowed outside populated areas, in designated places.
The local inspector reminded that administrative and criminal liability is provided for violation of the legislation.
According to Article 24.29 of the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses "Illegal actions in relation to cold, gas, pneumatic or throwing weapons", illegal carrying or transportation of cold weapons entails a fine of two to six basic units with or without confiscation of the subject of the administrative offense.
Illegal carrying or transportation of gas, pneumatic or throwing weapons entails a fine of eight to ten basic units with or without confiscation of the subject of the administrative offense.
Illegal manufacturing or sale of gas, pneumatic or throwing weapons are punishable by a fine, or correctional labor for up to two years, or arrest for up to six months, or restriction of liberty for up to two years, or imprisonment for the same term.
- We have quite a few hunters in our district with the appropriate permit, but they are not the only ones allowed to own civilian weapons (self-defense, hunting, sports, and signal).
– The procedure for storing and ensuring the safety of firearms and ammunition is determined by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus. The most important thing here is that the owner knows and observes the established requirements, – noted Vladimir Vladimirovich.
The basis for storing and carrying civilian weapons and ammunition is a corresponding permit obtained from the internal affairs bodies, valid for five years.
Weapons and ammunition must be stored at the owners' place of residence under conditions that ensure their preservation, safe storage, and prevent access by unauthorized persons, in lockable safes or metal cabinets, boxes made of high-strength materials, or in wooden boxes reinforced with iron. The weapons must be unloaded and placed on safety. To further ensure the preservation of weapons and ammunition, the safe, cabinet, or box for their storage must be secured to the floor or wall, and the room must be equipped with a security alarm system.
– For example, if during a check at the place of residence, an unlocked safe containing registered smooth-bore weapons is found, this violation of the law will be grounds for bringing administrative liability, – the district inspector noted.
Furthermore, he specifically emphasized that citizens are prohibited from storing and using weapons that they have found or been given, and which they do not own.
In case of discovering ownerless weapons or the death of the owner, those who find them or their close relatives must immediately report this to the internal affairs bodies at their place of residence.
For the illegal storage of smooth-bore firearms, administrative liability is provided for under Art. 24.46 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus (a fine of 10 to 30 base units with or without confiscation). In case of repeated violation within a year, a citizen may be brought to criminal liability. For the illegal manufacture, acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, mailing, or carrying of firearms (except for smooth-bore hunting firearms) or ammunition, explosives, explosive devices, or for the illegal manufacture or sale of main parts of firearms or explosive devices, criminal liability is provided for under Art. 295 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (punishable by correctional labor for up to 2 years, or arrest for up to 6 months, or restriction of liberty for up to 5 years, or imprisonment for up to 6 years).
Violation of the deadlines for extending permits for storage and carrying (as well as registration deadlines, accounting rules) of hunting weapons entails a fine of 4 to 15 basic units (Article 24.31 of the Code of Administrative Offenses). In case of a repeated violation within one year, the permit for the right to store and carry weapons will be revoked for a period of three years.
Storage and carrying of weapons with an expired permit also entails the confiscation of weapons for responsible storage at the Internal Affairs Department.
To extend the permit, the following must be submitted to the permit system of the Internal Affairs Department: an application; a passport or other identity document; permits for the right to store and carry civilian weapons; a state hunting license; a health certificate; a document confirming payment (1 basic unit for each weapon). The application and all necessary documents should be submitted to the Internal Affairs Department 1 month before the expiration of the current period.
For issues related to arms trafficking, residents of the district can contact the Miory District Department of Internal Affairs: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday - from 8:00 to 13:00; Tuesday, Thursday - from 15:00 to 20:00.