New Initiatives for Gun Control in Ukraine
During an expert discussion titled «Joint Initiatives for Gun Control in Ukraine», attended by Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Klymenko and OSCE Ambassador Peter Maresh, the critical importance of security amid war was emphasized.
Key figures from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, National Police, and other agencies involved in security matters participated in the event. The session was moderated by Mykola Hrinzov, the director of the Department of Interaction with the National Police.
Minister Igor Klymenko stressed that controlling the circulation of weapons is critical for the security of both Ukraine and Europe. «In the context of ongoing hostilities, there is a high risk of weapons and ammunition falling into criminal hands. We are taking measures to prevent these risks,» he stated.
The Ministry continues to improve systems for gun control, implementing new technologies. One significant achievement has been the establishment of a Unified Register, which facilitates monitoring the circulation of firearms in Ukraine.
«The Unified Register of firearms, which began operating in June 2023, has significantly simplified the registration process for citizens,» the Minister emphasized. «We are actively working on the digitization of services».
Additionally, since November 25 of last year, Ukraine has been conducting a voluntary weapon declaration campaign, allowing citizens to legalize unregistered firearms. The Ministry also places a strong emphasis on educating the public about the responsibilities associated with illegal possession of weapons.
OSCE Special Representative Ambassador Peter Maresh highlighted Ukraine's achievements in creating the Unified Register and stressed the importance of international cooperation in combating the illegal arms trade.
"The illegal trade in firearms is closely linked to organized crime, posing a serious threat to society. Therefore, we must unite our efforts to combat these phenomena,» he noted.
Participants discussed the results of the voluntary declaration initiative, future steps in international cooperation, and information campaigns aimed at raising public awareness. This meeting served as an important platform for sharing experiences and developing joint initiatives to combat illegal arms trafficking.
