"Citizens must have a culture of handling firearms. For example, firearms can be given to individuals who already have a certain period of firearm ownership experience." This was stated by the head of the National Police in an interview with Censor.NET.
During the development of the draft law, which considers the issue of owning short-barreled firearms for all categories of citizens, we repeatedly met with the law enforcement committee of the Verkhovna Rada, discussed this issue in working groups, he noted.
"There are a number of precautions, a number of reservations. There is a vision that this weapon should only be kept at home for self-defense, and if a person wants to practice, they submit an application to a shooting range and then take it with them. But you understand that if a person wants to carry a firearm with them all the time, they will have to submit an application to the shooting range and transport it every day. Again, transportation should be in a disassembled state, not as one would like.
There are still a number of questions being discussed and unresolved. I don't yet have an internal position that this weapon can be for all citizens, and they can carry it on the streets. If it is for self-defense – perhaps. But there are still many 'buts'," explained the head of the National Police.
However, according to Vyhivskyi, society is more prepared for the legalization of firearms today.
"But there must be a culture of handling firearms. Perhaps giving firearms to individuals who already have a certain period of experience, who already possess firearms. For example, traumatic or hunting firearms. Individuals who have not had problems with the law for five years, who have not committed crimes. Perhaps establishing a certain framework period, from 3 to 5 years, and allowing them to initially buy smoothbore and traumatic firearms, so that the person demonstrates compliance with all legal norms. And then, firearms with short barrels can be issued.
But I am against carrying short-barreled firearms on the streets," added Vyhivskyi.
