How can a member of the armed forces obtain a firearms licence in Ukraine?
Зміст
Which weapons can military personnel obtain a licence for?
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a simplified procedure has been in place for military personnel to obtain a licence to purchase hunting weapons. This is due to the need to ensure the country’s security and protect its citizens.
Servicemen undergo training that includes weapons handling skills. This is why the procedure has been simplified for them. The procedure for obtaining a licence is governed by Order No. 170.
Under the simplified procedure, the following may be purchased:
Smooth-bore firearms
These are shotguns designed for hunting birds and small game.
Short-range, rapid-fire non-lethal firearms
These include pistols, revolvers and other firearms that use cartridges with rubber or similar projectiles.
Rifled firearms
This category includes carbines and rifles intended for hunting large game.
Who is eligible for a permit under the simplified procedure
The simplified procedure for obtaining a permit is available to:
- servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations of Ukraine
- members of the territorial defence forces
- law enforcement officers
What documents are required to obtain a permit
To apply for a permit, you need to prepare a set of documents.
The list includes:
- two 3×4 cm photographs
- copies of your passport (pages 1, 2 and 11) and your tax identification number
- ID card holders must also provide an extract confirming their place of residence from the Centre for Administrative Services
- civil liability insurance for gun owners
- proof of payment of the state fee
- certificates from the military unit, in particular Form 5 and a copy of the replacement card or a certificate confirming the allocation of the weapon
Where to submit your documents
There are several ways to submit your documents.
Via the Ministry of Internal Affairs service centre
Documents are submitted to the local Ministry of Internal Affairs service centre in your area of residence.
Online via the Single Window for Citizens’ Enquiries
To do this, you need to log in using your electronic signature, complete the online application form, attach scanned copies of your documents and submit your application for consideration.
Via a gunshop
A consultant at the shop will help you prepare the set of documents. The documents are then forwarded to the relevant authority.
The Ministry of Health may tighten the medical requirements for obtaining a licence
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine is preparing changes to the medical requirements for obtaining a firearms licence.
These involve updating the approaches to medical examinations and the criteria on the basis of which a person may be refused a medical certificate.
Currently, a medical certificate (Form No. 127/o) is required to obtain a licence. This is issued by a medical advisory committee following a comprehensive medical examination.
The examination includes:
- blood and urine tests
- a blood sugar test
- an electrocardiogram
- an eye test
- a drug test
- psychiatric assessment
The Ministry of Health states that a psychiatrist’s assessment is to be made a mandatory part of the decision-making process.
At present, there is no clear list in Ukraine of psychiatric diagnoses that automatically disqualify an applicant from obtaining a licence.
At the same time, general restrictions are already in place for people with severe mental disorders, particularly in cases of legal incapacity, aggressive or dangerous behaviour, dementia, somatic mental disorders or borderline conditions with neurotic manifestations.
Once the amendments are adopted, all forms of mental disorders, particularly those related to the use of psychoactive substances, may become a direct contraindication to obtaining a licence.
The Ministry also emphasises that the Medical Advisory Committee will be required to take into account the results of a psychiatric assessment when making its decision.
Possible use of psychoactive substances will be checked separately.
