The legality of using pneumatic weapons has always raised and still raises many questions. Despite the fact that the legislation clearly defines the procedure for purchasing pneumatic guns, the lion's share of users have not been able to figure out whether a license is needed for an air pistol and whether there are any special features in the laws of the Republic of Belarus.
Why do permission questions appear?
Analyzing the problem, we come to the conclusion that the main contingent of users is represented by teenagers under 18 years of age. For them, the time comes when a person with a weapon becomes something like an object of imitation. Pneumatic weapons are commercially available and can, albeit only visually, increase the brutality of a young man. In fact, anyone who is thinking about buying a hunting rifle or a firearm has probably studied the legislation, so they don’t ask such questions.
To raise the awareness of citizens, we note that all the excerpts below have a legal basis. The basic document is considered to be the law on weapons valid in the Republic of Belarus. The difficulty of studying the legislative framework is that the text of the law is written for all types of weapons. You have to select the necessary provisions from the context, which not every reader can do.
On the other hand, there are a number of resources that provide their visitors with false information. In fact, the law does not have a clear answer regarding permission for pneumatic weapons, so you will have to start with the characteristics of the weapon.
Specifications of pneumatic weapons
Each weapon element has a number of parameters by which its performance is assessed, this could be the type, barrel length, presence/absence of rifling, fore-end material, number of cartridges in the magazine. At the moment, only those that are considered a determining factor from the point of view of regulatory documents are of interest. Such characteristics are entered into the product passport and are called passport characteristics, among them are muzzle energy and caliber.
Muzzle energy can be understood as the kinetic energy of a bullet, although this value cannot be assessed by us in absolute value. Most often, it is more convenient to use relative values, that is, everything is known by comparison. The law on weapons distinguishes between pneumatics and energy:
- up to 3 J;
- up to 7.5 J;
- up to 25 J.
To get a rough idea of how large a given energy value is, let’s explain everything with examples. Souvenir weapons made by domestic or foreign manufacturers have an energy of 3 J or even less.
Some copies are an exact copy of the Makarov pistol and other world-famous models. Even by law, such models are not considered weapons. They are positioned as devices structurally similar to pneumatic weapons. Naturally, there can be no restrictions regarding them.
Pneumatics with an energy of more than 7.5 joules are positioned as hunting weapons.
By the way, in the Republic of Belarus, as in Russia, hunting with pneumatics is prohibited.
This restriction is introduced for humanistic reasons. An air rifle bullet can penetrate the skin to a considerable depth. This means that the animal will not die immediately, but will be seriously injured. His death may be painful due to infection.
Every amateur has probably heard about the caliber. An example is the world-famous calibers of domestic manufacturers 5.63 and 7.62. But we are interested in the value of 4.5 mm. The caliber shows the diameter of the barrel, therefore, directly affects the impact force after the shot. The exception is models that have a relatively large caliber, but low bullet energy.
Permission for pneumatics
Now that we have reviewed the main characteristics, we will determine in which cases permission to store and carry a pneumatic gun is required. The law on weapons states that elements with a caliber of up to 4.5 mm and a muzzle energy of up to 7 J are not subject to registration. This can be interpreted as free trade and the absence of any restrictions.
But here we should make a reservation. If a child can buy pneumatics with an energy of less than 3 Joules, and the place of purchase is not so important, then more powerful pneumatics are available for sale only from the age of 18.
Now let’s imagine what the lack of documents for weapons will cost. On the one hand, there is no need to go through different authorities to obtain permission. But it is impossible to determine the value of muzzle energy by sight, therefore, government officials have every reason to send the barrel for examination. To avoid such troubles, it is advisable not to violate the rules of carrying pneumatic weapons (do not show them to others, keep them unloaded), and also always carry with you a certificate issued only in a specialized weapons store.
If the value of the muzzle energy exceeds 7.5 J with a caliber of 4.5 mm or the caliber exceeds 4.5 mm with an energy of 7.5 J, then for such pneumatic weapons all the documents are required, as for, for example, traumatic , this is a permission to purchase, a license to store.
Some nuances not specified in the law
Owning a weapon should impose responsibility on the citizen, even if the law would seem to exempt one from this responsibility. Pneumatic weapons with energy less than 3 J are not considered weapons. However, if accidentally hit, it can maim a person, and in some cases the wound will be fatal. Then you will have to answer according to the law.
The second nuance is to create storage conditions. The law does not require a safe. But if there are children in the house, then the citizen is obliged to take care of limiting access to weapons. A safe is an excellent measure, so it would be advisable to install one.
About ten years ago, a woman I knew on a cold autumn evening on her way home unexpectedly met... a robber. They pulled her purse like a rope until the barking of the dog scared off the robber. After some time, he settled in the pocket of a careful woman for a long time gas canister. Similar cases can happen to everyone in our lives. But how can you defend yourself until the police arrive? How much do they cost means of self-defense, and is it possible to use firearms for these purposes? A police lieutenant colonel answered these questions Dmitry Yazepchik, senior inspector for special assignments of the licensing and permitting department of the prevention department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
There is no urgent need to purchase self-defense means in our country,” the interlocutor says. - By and large, Our crime situation is calm, and therefore there is no reason for this. However, someone who wants to acquire, for example, gas gun, must acquire the skills to handle it and pass a medical examination. And only after that the territorial internal affairs bodies will decide whether a citizen can be given permission to purchase self-defense weapons.
- It seems to me that stun guns and gas cartridges are most often purchased.
The above means refer to self-defense weapons, but you do not need to obtain permission to purchase them. They can be bought on the market, in specialized stores, but such products must be necessarily certified.
- Which means of self-defense do you consider the most effective?
All weapons pose a potential threat to humans. And each of the products, when used correctly, will be effective for the owner. When purchasing such a weapon, firstly, you need to think about why are you buying it?, and secondly, you should understand with what means of self-defense you it will be more convenient.
- Unlike Russia, we are prohibited from owning and using traumatic weapons.
Yes, in 2012 in Belarus traumatic weapons equated to firearms. Its circulation is completely prohibited in our country.
- Can batons and baseball bats be considered means of self-defense?
Of course not. You need to play baseball with a bat. There is simply a certain group of people who acquire and use them for other purposes.
- By the way, at what age does a citizen of Belarus have the right to keep firearms?
According to the law, all You can buy weapons in our country from the age of 18. Upon payment duties in the amount of 2 basic units a resident of our country is given permit to store weapons for 3 years. A similar procedure has been created for registration sporting and hunting weapons. For possession only shotgun should also have a state hunter's certificate.
By the way, for illegal actions in relation to gas weapons the owner may receive a fine of up to 10 basic units with confiscation of the weapon. But for possession of firearms, a person already faces criminal liability. Over the first 9 months of 2014, 935 units of unregistered weapons and 1,650 units of registered weapons were seized. More often, weapons are confiscated from black diggers and people whose relatives left them. It should be noted that the Ministry of Internal Affairs carried out campaign to register unregistered weapons. Anyone could contact the internal affairs bodies, present a weapon (no sanctions were applied) and register it in their name. As a result, we achieved good results: more than 700 weapons were brought to the police.
Taras Shchyry.
Reference
Self-defense weapons- a set of types of weapons and other technical means that can legally be used by a person to protect the life and health of persons whose life or health is threatened as a result of a criminal attack.
How much do self-defense products cost?
You can purchase self-defense products not only in regular stores, but also on the Internet. For example, prices for gas canisters on some sites start at 80 thousand rubles. Stun guns can be purchased for both 500 thousand and 2.5 million (so-called stun guns). An ordinary flashlight-electric stun gun costs 1.5 million rubles. As you can see, everything depends on the financial capabilities and taste of the potential buyer.
According to the Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the ministry explained the essence of the amendments to the legislation on the circulation of weapons and the implementation of security activities. Let us remind you that the House of Representatives adopted the corresponding bill on April 12, and the Council of the Republic approved it on April 18, writes BelaPAN.
For the first time, the terms “traumatic firearm” and “traumatic cartridge” are legally defined. The circulation of such weapons and ammunition, as well as long-barreled firearms with a rifled barrel with a caliber of more than 9.3 mm, having mounts for bayonets (bayonet knives), is legally prohibited on the territory of Belarus. In addition, a new type of hunting weapon is being introduced - throwing weapons. It will be used for open-air hunting with bows and crossbows.
Organizations that issue state hunting licenses are given the right to purchase hunting weapons for training future hunters.
The procedure for purchasing hunting weapons with a rifled barrel is changing. According to the new version of Article 14 of the Law on Weapons, “hunting firearms with a rifled barrel, hunting firearms combined weapons, hunting throwing weapons have the right to be acquired by citizens permanently residing in the Republic of Belarus, provided that they own such weapons, with the exception of hunting throwing weapons, or have owned a smooth-bore hunting firearm for at least five years during the six years preceding the application for the acquisition of a hunting firearm with a rifled barrel, a hunting firearm combined weapon, or a hunting throwing weapon." That is, now a citizen who already owns a hunting rifle does not need to own a smooth-bore hunting weapon to purchase a second unit of hunting weapon with a rifled barrel. In addition, to purchase a hunting rifle, previously it was necessary to own a smooth-bore hunting weapon for at least five years continuously. Now it is allowed to interrupt the specified period of ownership of such weapons for a period of up to one year during the last six years.
At the same time, weapons acquired by citizens in the prescribed manner and registered with the police before the amendments to the legislation came into force are permitted for circulation in the country.
According to the amendments, foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing on the territory of Belarus receive the right to purchase and own civilian weapons. Foreign citizens and stateless persons temporarily staying or temporarily residing in Belarus will be able to purchase civilian weapons here, provided they are removed from the country no later than 10 days from the date of purchase.
Amendments to the legislation provide the right for the police to confiscate weapons and ammunition in the event of cancellation of the permanent residence permit in Belarus of a foreign citizen or stateless person - the owner of a weapon, as well as the initiation of a criminal case against the owner of a civilian weapon for committing a crime related to the use or use of weapons , until the termination of criminal prosecution or the entry into force of a court verdict, or in the case of applying a preventive measure in the form of detention before its cancellation.
The list of administrative offenses is specified, in the commission of which persons will not have the right to purchase weapons: intentional infliction of bodily harm; petty hooliganism; firing a firearm in a populated area or in a place not intended for shooting; repeated drinking of alcoholic, low-alcohol drinks or beer in a public place within a year after the imposition of an administrative penalty, or appearing in a public place or at work in a state of intoxication; driving while intoxicated; violation of the rules of hunting and hunting in the form of deprivation of a special right.
Offenses such as smoking tobacco products in prohibited places, hiring without documents, and others have disappeared from the list. If a citizen committed them once, then the permit to store and carry weapons was revoked for five years.
Taking into account the numerous requests from gun owners whose permits have been revoked, and whose hobby of hunting is an integral part of their lives, the period for re-applying for a permit to purchase a gun after cancellation has been reduced (from five to three years).
If a weapon is lost as a result of violating the rules for safe handling, the permit to store and carry weapons is canceled for a period of three years. For each specific fact, the police conduct a check, because sometimes it happens that, under the guise of an accidental loss, a person tries to hide an illegal action.
Owners of weapons and those who are just planning to purchase them should not forget about their responsibility for the safety of weapons, the Ministry of Internal Affairs notes. Now owners of civilian weapons with a rifled barrel will have to decide: to equip the premises or places where they are stored with an alarm (within 6 months from the date of entry into force of the law) or to give up ownership.
The passion for hunting and sport shooting is a hereditary habit that has been passed down from generation to generation through the centuries and still remains one of the main pleasures for many. However, with the fall of the feudal system and the development of the national economy, the rules of hunting underwent changes and over time it became, although a free activity, but with the highest state control.
That is why the right to hunt, as well as the right to keep weapons, is legislatively regulated by government agencies and you can obtain a permit in the Republic of Belarus from the Ministry of Forestry at your place of residence, and in Minsk and the Minsk region from the Republican Unitary Enterprise “Belgosohota”.
The procedure for obtaining a state hunting license
According to the rules of hunting and hunting, any capable citizen of the Republic of Belarus who has reached 18 years of age can obtain a certificate. The right to hunt can also be obtained by foreign citizens who have a hunter’s certificate from their country, and stateless persons who have a residence permit in the Republic of Belarus.
To consider obtaining a state certificate, you must submit an application and the following documents:
- Passport
- A document confirming completion of preparation for passing a special hunting exam
- Two 3x4 color photographs.
- Receipt for payment of state duty.
Cost of the procedure:
- state duty (1 base value) - 210,000 rubles
- exam - 42,000 rubles
- registration in the register of hunters - 5,000 rubles
You can pay on the spot or bring a payment receipt for the specified amount to the following details:
- recipient of the payment - UE "Belgosohota", UNP: 101435427, account 3012000005262, in the ASB "Belarusbank", code 795.
After submitting your application, you will need to pass a special hunting exam in the form of a test on knowledge of environmental legislation, the biology of wild animals and birds, hunting rules in the Republic of Belarus, safety rules for hunting and handling hunting weapons, hunting tools, first aid, etc. The exam is conducted by prior registration at the Republican Unitary Enterprise "Belgosohota".
Since 2014, mandatory training courses for future hunters have been introduced in Belarus. They are organized in forestry enterprises and on the basis of RUE "Belgosohota". In addition to the main form of training, Belgosohota organizes online training courses for passing a special hunting exam.
According to the latest data, 95% of applicants who complete the course successfully pass the exam and receive a hunting license, as well as a violation registration card. The decision on issuance is made by the Ministries of Forestry within a month from the day of passing the exam upon presentation of a passport.
The certificate is issued for 10 years and valid if you have a card for recording violations and paying the state fee. The fee must be paid every 12 months before the start of the hunt.
Procedure for obtaining a weapons permit
After the exam has been passed and the certificate has been received, you need to acquire something without which even illegal hunting is impossible. And since the purchase of any type of weapon on the territory of the Republic of Belarus is prohibited without a permit for its storage, the first thing you need to do is undergo a medical examination at the place of registration. The medical institution issues a special certificate stating that the potential candidate hunter has no contraindications to owning a weapon. The certificate is valid for 1 year from the date of issue.
Next, you need to prepare a place for storing weapons in a house or apartment, and after creating the necessary conditions, contact the territorial police department at your place of actual residence. There you need to provide the following documents:
- passport (residence permit);
- two photographs 3*4;
- state hunting license;
- medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications to the possession and storage of weapons.
A candidate for a permit must write an application according to the established form and pay a state fee in the amount of one basic amount.
It should also be noted that at first you will be able to obtain permission to store only smooth-bore hunting weapons and only after 5-6 years to purchase and store a rifle with a rifled barrel. The break in the possession of smooth-bore weapons should not exceed one year.
As for the place to store weapons, it can be either a special safe or just a metal box with a lock. For greater reliability, you can attach the box to the floor or wall, and equip the room itself with an alarm or other technical security equipment. The most important criterion is that the storage location is well protected from unauthorized persons and children, so the main thing is a safe or a metal box with a lock.
After you have prepared everything, a licensing inspector will be sent to you, who will prepare the appropriate inspection report, which reflects the conditions created for storing weapons. If everything meets the established standards, the final stage of verification will begin, during which law enforcement officials must make sure that the future owner of the weapon has not been brought to administrative responsibility. It is important that you do not have an unexpunged or outstanding conviction for committing intentional crimes, as well as a number of other offenses that prohibit the purchase of weapons.
If, after an inspection carried out by internal affairs officers, no violations were identified, then the citizen is issued a permit to purchase.
Happy hunting!
Rewriting sources: belohota.by, belgosohota.by
The circulation of weapons in Belarus is regulated by the Law of the Republic of Belarus of November 13, 2001 On Weapons (hereinafter Weapons law).
First, let's look at the types of weapons into which the Weapons Law divides them. It is divided into:
— combat
— official
— civil
Citizens can buy civilian weapons.
The requirements for it, according to the Law on Weapons of Belarus, are as follows:
— It should not fire in bursts.
— The magazine capacity should not exceed 10 rounds.
— The bullet should not have a core.
— The caliber of rifled weapons should not exceed 9.3 mm.
— The length must be at least 80 cm.
Civilian weapons The Belarusian weapons law is divided into:
— Self-defense weapons , which includes:
a) stun guns, with parameters approved by the Ministry of Health.
b) aerosol sprays of tear and irritant substances.
c) gas revolvers and pistols.
— Sports, which includes:
a) rifled firearm.
c) pneumatic with muzzle energy from 3 to 25 J.
d) cold.
d) throwing.
— Hunting :
a) rifled and combined firearms (including those with replaceable rifled barrels).
b) smoothbore firearm.
c) pneumatic with muzzle energy from 7.5 to 25 J.
d) cold.
d) throwing.
— Signal.
According to the Weapons Law, citizens over 18 years of age and permanent residents of the Republic of Belarus can buy civilian weapons in Belarus. It is purchased with the permission of the Internal Affairs Authorities.
Citizens who are members of sports shooting organizations and have membership cards of these organizations can buy sports firearms. They must be involved in shooting sports for at least 5 years. They can buy weapons in the manner that the Law on Weapons of Belarus provides for the purchase of hunting weapons.
You can buy gas and signal weapons with permission from the Department of Internal Affairs in quantities of up to 2 units with registration within 10 days.
Mechanical and aerosol means of spraying tear and irritating substances, stun guns, as well as pneumatic weapons with muzzle energy up to 7.5 J. According to the Law on Weapons of Belarus, you can purchase them without permission and registration.
How to buy weapons in Belarus.
Hunting rifled and combined guns can be purchased by citizens who have owned a hunting smoothbore weapon for 5 years or who have already owned a rifled or combined gun.
Citizens who have a permit to store and carry hunting weapons can buy edged hunting weapons. According to the Law on Weapons of Belarus it is registered upon purchase at a trading enterprise by making a note in the permit for the right to store and carry hunting weapons.
How to buy smoothbore hunting weapons.
As already noted, according to the Law on Weapons of Belarus, citizens with a state hunting license can buy smooth-bore hunting weapons.
To obtain it, a person over 18 years of age must pass a hunting exam at the forestry enterprise or the Belokhot Unitary Enterprise. To prepare for it, you can study the Rules of Hunting and the collection “Questions and Answers for Passing a Special Hunting Exam,” etc.
Having received a certificate, you can enter the hunting society. Hunting in hunting grounds will be cheaper for members of the society than for non-members.
To obtain a certificate you must submit the following documents:
1. Statement.
2. Certificates from drug treatment and psychoneurological dispensaries.
3. 2 photos.
In order to buy a weapon in a trading company, according to the Law on Weapons of Belarus, you must contact the licensing department of the police department at your place of residence to obtain permission to purchase weapons.
For this.
1. From the licensing department of the internal affairs department, take a referral to a medical commission, which must establish that there are no contraindications for owning a weapon. The medical commission must provide certificates from drug treatment and psychoneurological dispensaries.
2. Contact a local inspector who will check you and whether there are conditions for storing weapons at your place of residence. According to the Law on Weapons in Belarus, storage conditions provide for the absence of access by unauthorized persons to it and the presence of a metal box or safe. It is permissible to use a box made of other high-strength material. As a last resort, a wooden box, which can be covered with a metal sheet. The box or safe must be locked and secured to the wall or floor.
As a result of the check, a conclusion should emerge that your identity and storage conditions allow you to buy a weapon and store it at your place of residence.
3. With the collected documents, we contact the Department of Internal Affairs and obtain permission to purchase. The permit is valid for 6 months with the right to extend.
4. With the purchased weapon and the receipt from the permit for the purchase of weapons (with a note about the purchase of weapons from the store in it), we contact the Department of Internal Affairs and receive the long-awaited permit for the right to store and carry hunting weapons. It is valid for 3 years, with the right to extend.
Who does not have the right to buy weapons, according to the Law on Weapons of Belarus.
1. Persons under 18 years of age cannot buy weapons in Belarus.
2. Those who have physical disabilities or diseases for which the possession of weapons is contraindicated.
3. Persons with convictions for crimes related to weapons or who committed crimes while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
4. Those serving sentences.
5. Persons who have committed administrative offenses related to causing bodily harm, petty hooliganism, were brought to administrative responsibility for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or for offenses in the field of hunting or weapons trafficking.
6. According to the Weapons Law, persons who have been brought to administrative responsibility twice within a year for drinking alcoholic beverages or appearing in a public place while intoxicated cannot buy weapons.
7. Without permanent residence and conditions for storing weapons.
In addition, the Law on Weapons of Belarus states that the following may be grounds for refusal to issue permits:
— Failure to provide required information or provision of incorrect information in the application.
— If it is impossible to ensure the safety and accounting of weapons.
The Department of Internal Affairs must justify the refusal in writing.
As you can see, buy weapons It’s not difficult in Belarus. Weapons Law in Belarus this allows. It is enough to be an adult, sober, law-abiding and relatively healthy.
