Armenian citizens should be granted the right to own weapons, one of the authors of the legislative initiative, MP Vilen Gabrielyan from the ruling Civil Contract Party, stated at the sitting of the National Assembly today. His remarks came during the discussion of the package of bills "On the regulation of arms circulation" and amendments to 15 related laws.

According to the deputy, this right should be given to them to ensure self-defense. The law itself, according to Gabrielyan, has not been changed for 24 years.

According to him, the current legislation is essentially a repetition of the regulation of the Soviet period. Thus, citizens are allowed to possess only hunting and sport firearms. Weapons intended for self-defense can be possessed only by law enforcement officers. In this case, according to the legislative initiative, the right to purchase civilian combined or long-barrelled firearms will be available only to citizens over the age of 21 years. The same civilian weapons of another type, after obtaining the proper permit for its purchase from the police, will be able to afford individuals over the age of 18 years.

Each citizen will also be allowed to purchase 10 units of civilian weapons. In addition, the right to keep and carry, as well as to acquire an unlimited number of weapons for the subsequent creation of a collection and its demonstration will be granted.

"It will be possible to register these weapons only within 10 days after their purchase," said the deputy.

Foreigners will also be able to buy weapons in Armenia.

According to Gabrielyan, this legislative package will also set the aspects of self-defense. That is to say, in cases when a citizen will be able to use previously purchased weapons.

The legislative initiative will also stipulate the basis of training for the use of weapons. However, there is a group of citizens who will not undergo this training.

Thus, citizens who have served or are serving in state military organizations in Armenia for at least five years and who have not completed their service early will be exempt from training.

Rules of purchasing, keeping, carrying, displaying and collecting weapons will be set for natural and legal persons.

The order of granting, withdrawal of licenses and permits for the production, import, export, sale of weapons, as well as the activities of shooting galleries will be established. There will be increased responsibility for violation of the established order.

The initiative to arm the population looks quite strange against the background of a steady increase in crime.