SCM "ARSENAL"

In order to counteract the illegal trafficking of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices and explosives, and to improve the crime situation related to their use, the main stage of the operational-preventive special complex event "Arsenal" is being held on the territory of the Republic of Belarus from October 9 to 13, 2023.

In order to counteract the illegal trafficking of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices and explosives, and to improve the crime situation related to their use, the main stage of the operational-preventive special complex event "Arsenal" is being held on the territory of the Republic of Belarus from October 9 to 13, 2023.

Currently, 303 owners of civilian weapons are registered in the Lepel district, possessing 371 units of weapons. Smooth-bore hunting rifles, rifled hunting rifles, as well as gas weapons are held in private hands. In 2023, no unregistered weapons were voluntarily surrendered to the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs by citizens.

Practice shows that unregistered weapons and ammunition are usually found by citizens in houses and outbuildings inherited from relatives. However, upon discovering weapons and ammunition that do not belong to them, they are in no hurry to hand them over to the internal affairs bodies, but continue to store them, thereby committing criminal offenses and administrative offenses.

A striking example of this occurred during the SCME "Arsenal" in 2021, from October 4 to 8. A resident of Minsk, having learned about the SCME from a news program on television, remembered that she had found a rifle in her parents' house after her brother's death, about 6 years ago, and left it stored in the same place after finding it. Since she planned to visit her dacha frequently in the future and invite her children and grandchildren with her, she decided to contact the police to surrender the illegally stored weapon so that they would not find prohibited items. Upon arriving in the Lepel district, she informed the local police inspector about the illegally stored weapon and voluntarily handed over an IZh-18 smooth-bore hunting rifle and 19 cartridges for it. Due to the voluntary surrender, the citizen was exempted from liability for illegal storage of weapons and ammunition.

When law enforcement officers become aware of cases of illegal weapon possession, it is too late to surrender the weapon in order to avoid responsibility for its storage.

The Department of Internal Affairs of the Lepel District Executive Committee reminds that individuals who voluntarily surrender weapons and ammunition are exempt from criminal and administrative liability.

In order to voluntarily surrender unregistered weapons and ammunition, you do not need to bring them to the Lepel Department of Internal Affairs. Please report this by calling 102, or 3-48-96 (Permitting Department of the Lepel Department of Internal Affairs). You can also use the above phone numbers to report information about individuals engaged in the illegal possession, carrying, transportation, manufacture, or sale of weapons and ammunition, explosive devices, and explosive substances.

The legislation of the Republic of Belarus establishes the following liability for illegal actions with weapons:

Article 295 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. Illegal actions concerning firearms, ammunition, and explosive substances provide for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of up to twelve years with or without confiscation of property.

Article 295-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus. Illegal actions concerning smooth-bore hunting firearms provide for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of up to five years.

Article 24.29 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus. Illegal actions concerning cold, gas, pneumatic, or projectile weapons entail a fine of up to ten basic units with or without confiscation of the object of the administrative offence.

Article 24.46 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus Illegal actions concerning smooth-bore hunting firearms entail a fine of up to thirty basic units with or without confiscation of the object of the administrative offence, or deprivation of a special right with or without confiscation of the object of the administrative offence.

Senior Inspector

for Permitting Work

Department of Public Order

Protection and Prevention

of the Lepel Department of Internal Affairs E.G. Svidinskaya