Armenian citizens should be granted the right to own weapons for self-defense. The statement was made by Vilen Gabrielyan, one of the authors of the legislative initiative and an MP from the ruling Civil Contract Party, at the sitting of the parliamentary standing committee on defense and security, during the discussion of the package of bills "On regulating arms circulation" and amendments to 15 related laws in the National Assembly today.

He noted that the current legislation is essentially a repetition of the Soviet period regulations. Thus, citizens are allowed to own only hunting and sporting weapons.

"Weapons intended for self-defense can be possessed only by law enforcement officers," Gabrielyan explained.

In place of the existing strict rules, the authors of the bill proposed to give this right to persons over 18 years of age. So, 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. Civilian weapons of another type, after obtaining the appropriate permit for its purchase from the police, will be able to afford the persons over the age of 18 years.

In this case, each citizen will be allowed to purchase 10 units of civilian weapons with a permit to keep and carry, as well as an unlimited number of weapons to create a collection of weapons or their demonstration.

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

Foreigners in Armenia will also be able to buy weapons.

According to Gabrielyan, this legislative package will also set the aspects of self-defense. That is to say, in cases when a citizen has the right to use arms.

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

"So, citizens who have served or are serving in the state military organizations of Armenia for at least 5 years, and who have not graduated from service early will be exempt from training," said the parliamentarian.

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

The order of granting and withdrawal of licenses and permits for the production, import, export, sale of weapons, as well as the activities of shooting galleries will be set. Stricter liability will be provided for violations of the established procedure.

After relatively heated discussions, the legislative initiative of pro-government deputies received a positive conclusion of the specialized parliamentary commission.