In order to counteract the illegal trafficking of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices and explosive substances, and to improve the crime situation related to their use, the main stage of the operational-preventive special complex event "Arsenal" will be held on the territory of the Republic of Belarus from October 7 to October 11, 2024.
In order to counteract the illegal trafficking of weapons, ammunition, explosive devices and explosive substances, and to improve the crime situation related to their use, the main stage of the operational-preventive special complex event "Arsenal" will be held on the territory of the Republic of Belarus from October 7 to October 11, 2024.
Currently, there are 298 registered owners of civilian weapons in the Lepel district, possessing 368 units of weapons. Smooth-bore hunting weapons, rifled hunting weapons, as well as gas weapons are in private hands. In 2024, citizens voluntarily surrendered 2 units of smooth-bore weapons and 2 units of pneumatic weapons of unregistered weapons to the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs. 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 surrender them to the internal affairs bodies, but continue to store them, thereby committing criminal offenses and administrative offenses.
A clear example of this occurred during the "Arsenal" joint measure held in previous years. A resident of Minsk learned about the "Arsenal" measure from a news program on television and recalled that in her parents' house, after her brother's death about 6 years ago, she had found a rifle, which she left stored in the same place after finding it. As she intended to visit her dacha frequently in the future and invite her children and grandchildren with her, she decided to contact the police to hand over the illegally stored weapon, so that they would not find prohibited items. Upon arriving in Lepel District, she informed the local police inspector about the illegally stored weapon and voluntarily surrendered an IZh-18 smoothbore hunting rifle and 19 cartridges for it. Due to the voluntary surrender, the citizen was exempted from liability for illegal possession of weapons and ammunition.
When police officers become aware of facts of illegal weapon possession, it is too late to surrender the weapon to avoid liability for its storage.
The Internal Affairs Department of the Lepel District Executive Committee reminds that individuals who apply for the voluntary surrender of weapons and ammunition are exempted from criminal and administrative liability.
In order to voluntarily surrender unregistered weapons and ammunition, you do not need to bring them to the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs; you need to report it by calling 102, or 3-48-96 (licensing department of the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs). You can also report information about individuals engaged in illegal possession, carrying, transportation, manufacturing, or sale of weapons and ammunition, explosive devices, and explosive substances by calling the above-mentioned phone numbers.
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 explosives 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 hunting smooth-bore firearms provide for punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of up to five years.
Article 24.29. Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus. Unlawful actions concerning cold, gas, pneumatic or projectile weapons - shall entail a fine of up to ten basic units with or without confiscation of the item of the administrative offence.
Article 24.46. Code of Administrative Offences of the Republic of Belarus Unlawful actions concerning smoothbore hunting firearms - shall entail a fine of up to thirty basic units with or without confiscation of the item of the administrative offence, or deprivation of a special right with or without confiscation of the item of the administrative offence.
Senior Inspector
for Permitting
Department of Public Order
and Prevention
Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs