YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Police on Thursday submitted for the Government’s approval a new bill On Arms. And this draft law envisions to somewhat facilitate the citizens’ weapon acquisition process, Haykakan Zhamanak daily informs.    

“Pursuant to the current Law on Arms, citizens may acquire bullet-shooting firearms after five-year probation. [But] The new [draft] law proposes to give the right to acquire [this] firearm to all Armenian citizens who are 21 years old and over and have a permit to carry weapons.         

Pursuant to the working law, Armenia’s President, Prime Minister, Chief of Police, Minister of Defense, and [National Security Service] NSS Chief have the right to award weapons. In the case of the latter three, the current law clearly specifies as to for which merits they can award weapons to their employees.      

[But] The new [draft] law solely specifies the same officials’ right to award weapons, and the part on the recipients’ merits is removed. That is to say, the Police Chief, NSS Chief, and Defense Minister can award weapons to whomever they wish,” Haykakan Zhamanak writes.