A set of additional measures for the withdrawal of unaccounted weapons from circulation

January 31, 2024

In order to counteract the illegal trafficking of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices and explosive substances, as well as to improve the criminal situation associated with their use in the republic, a set of additional measures for the withdrawal of unaccounted weapons from circulation has been initiated. Within this framework, citizens can apply to the internal affairs department of the Glubokoye District Executive Committee with a statement about the voluntary surrender of weapons and ammunition.

Despite the measures being taken, the problem of citizens storing unaccounted weapons remains relevant, which leads to crimes and suicides committed with their use.

Many dangerous items are inherited by owners from deceased relatives, including participants of the Great Patriotic War. Front-line soldiers kept rarities for decades, but often did not show their hiding places even to their closest relatives. Now, heirs often stumble upon weapons in houses or outbuildings, for example, during renovations.

Upon finding a weapon belonging to a deceased person, you must immediately report it to law enforcement officers. It is not recommended to transport the find yourself, this applies to both registered and unaccounted units. If the deceased legally owned the weapon, police officers will take it for responsible storage. After entering into the inheritance rights, the new owner will dispose of the property according to

at their discretion. This includes the ability to transfer for disposal or sell.

The shadow market continues to be saturated by illegal excavators. They go to the battlefields of the Great Patriotic War with metal detectors and sometimes unearth entire arsenals. Some collect rarities, others sell them.

And yet, severe punishment awaits for this...

Illegal manufacturing, acquisition, sale, storage, transportation, or carrying of firearms (except for hunting smoothbore firearms), ammunition, explosives, and explosive devices are punishable by imprisonment for up to seven years. A person who commits this act repeatedly or as part of a group by prior conspiracy risks spending up to 12 years in a correctional facility. The court may also impose a fine on the guilty party.

Illegal possession of smoothbore firearms entails administrative liability: a monetary penalty ranging from 10 to 30 basic units, with the possibility of revoking the right to engage in certain activities.

Law enforcement agencies are grateful to everyone who reports illegally stored weapons or surrenders them, for their active civic stance. You will protect not only yourself but also others, as such items can fall into the hands of criminals.

In order to prevent weapon theft, the Internal Affairs Department recommends that owners equip their residential premises or storage locations with an alarm system connected to the central monitoring console of the Security Department units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.

By phone numbers 8-029-5972174, 30859, 58121, or by phone 102. You can report information about illegally stored weapons, ammunition, and explosives, as well as obtain information on the procedure for voluntary surrender of such items.

Senior Inspector for Permitting Work

Department of Law and Order and Prevention

Internal Affairs Department of the Glubokoe District Executive Committee

Police Major

Yuri Voitekhovich