Azerbaijan Plans to Ease Gun Carrying Procedures in Artsakh

Under the initiative of the Ministry of Justice of Artsakh, a draft law proposing amendments and additions to the "Law on Weapons" has been submitted to the National Assembly. According to the current legislation of the Republic of Artsakh, individuals who engage in professional hunting activities, employees of militarized organizations, or those who have owned smooth-bore hunting firearms for no less than five years without committing violations related to hunting, weapon production, trade, sales, acquisition, transfer, collection, display, registration, storage, carrying, transportation, and usage can acquire hunting smooth-bore firearms, provided they have been granted the right to hunt as per established procedures.

The proposed amendment aims to also grant the right to acquire hunting smooth-bore firearms to citizens who have completed compulsory military service, as they have been involved with weapons for about two years during their service and are familiar with handling them.

The drafters of the project note that many communities in the Republic of Artsakh have become border settlements due to the war unleashed by Azerbaijan in September 2020 and the subsequent trilateral agreement. In an unresolved conflict accompanied by daily threats of war, it is critically important for the citizens of the Republic of Artsakh to have the means to ensure a necessary level of self-defense.

The changes to the law are motivated by this necessity, allowing for the expansion of citizens' means for self-defense, making the permission to carry weapons more accessible, and easing related procedures. The existing law imposes certain restrictions on the general public regarding the acquisition of hunting smooth-bore arms, specifically requiring a minimum of five years of ownership of smooth-bore hunting firearms to obtain the relevant permission. This requirement does not align with post-war realities and public needs.

Additionally, it is essential for the government to be authorized by law to define not only the type, shape, model, and quantity of civilian and service weapons and ammunition used by employees of legal entities engaging in specific statutory issues but also to outline the list of positions that are entitled to bear arms.

The draft also proposes to eliminate the requirement for a magazine holding no more than ten rounds, as it is practically not utilized. Instead of the current three smooth-bore firearms acquisition limit, citizens would be allowed to acquire up to five units of hunting smooth-bore weapons.

Furthermore, it is suggested that for citizens acquiring sports smooth-bore, rifled firearms, and hunting arms for the first time, knowledge tests regarding safe handling of weapons should be conducted not only at the Artsakh Police but also in police departments or organizations authorized by the Artsakh government, according to programs coordinated with the police, since firearms are primarily obtained from private entities. It is considered beneficial for these organizations to be licensed to conduct knowledge tests regarding handling regulations.

Should the law be adopted, it is expected to enhance the level of security and self-defense for citizens of the Republic of Artsakh, improve knowledge of handling weapons, and provide clear definitions regarding individuals authorized to carry civilian and service weapons used by employees of legal entities fulfilling special statutory tasks.