Podgorica, (MINA) - The Government of Montenegro is to adopt the Bill on Weapons and Ammunition that tightens ownership conditions and raises the minimum age limit, and shortens the validity period of permits, announced Deputy Prime Minister for Security Aleksa Becic.

Speaking at the press conference, he said that the Bill has about 150 articles, which incorporates various European directives, which is fully aligned with the European Commission, and represents an important benchmark under chapter 24.

“The essence of this bill is to improve the records system, tighten the requirements for possessing weapons, strengthen the control system, and introduce stricter penalties”, Becic pointed out.

 

 

He stated that the changes include stricter criteria for issuing permits, but also the centralization of procedures within the competent institutions.

“The minimum age limit for obtaining a firearm license will be raised from 18 to 21 years, while the validity period of permits will be reduced from ten to five years”, announced Becic.

He said that the law significantly expands the range of criminal and misdemeanor offenses which automatically disqualify individuals from obtaining a firearms permit.

One of the key changes is the centralization of the procedure, so, as Becic explained, the applications will be reviewed exclusively by the organizational unit at the headquarters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), although they will be submitted at local branches.

Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic said that the Bill represents a major reform of the weapons control system after more than a decade.

He emphasized that it is not a matter of technical harmonization of regulations, but of a deep reform aimed at improving public safety.

Saranovic also emphasized public participation in drafting the law, stressing that the legislative initiative known as “Marko and Masan’s Law” was considered and incorporated into the proposed solutions.

Chief of Police Administration Lazar Scepanovic said that the Bill is one of the key mechanisms for raising the level of security in society and the state.

 

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