27 October, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. Approximately 14,000 private firearm owners are registered in the Vitebsk region, the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee informed a BELTA correspondent. These citizens possess nearly 16,000 units of various civilian firearms (gas, hunting, sporting, and handguns). All firearm owners are under constant observation by law enforcement agencies. For instance, from January to September, around 300 residents of the region were brought to administrative responsibility for violations of firearm regulations, primarily related to improper storage, delayed license renewal, and malfunctions. From 31 October to 4 November, the republican campaign "Arsenal" will be held in the region, aimed at combating the illicit trafficking of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices, and explosive substances. Police officers will focus their efforts on identifying individuals illegally possessing firearms and ammunition. Criminal liability for illegal actions concerning firearms, ammunition, and explosive substances provides for punishment up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property. However, citizens who voluntarily surrender illegally held firearms and ammunition to the internal affairs bodies will be exempt from liability. The republican campaign "Arsenal" was previously conducted in the current year during March-April. During that period, over 400 unregistered firearms and approximately 20,000 rounds of ammunition were removed from illegal circulation within the Vitebsk region. -0-

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