"The relevant legislation will be passed during this summer and fall. After that, relevant gun registries will be launched during a certain organizational period of time. Probably, additional decisions will be made, so that we could retain control over the circulation of weapons, check who owns it, how the registration process will take place, at what periods weapon owners must undergo checks," Andrusiv said on social media.
According to him, the new legislation applies to handguns. Ukrainians will be able to freely purchase and carry them starting next summer.
A draft legislation on the right to owning civilian firearms was submitted to the parliament last May. The explanatory note stated that the bill would ensure the right "to active personal protection," with firearms being "the most effective means of exercising citizens’ constitutional right to self-defense."
The document also stipulates that there are nearly 5 million units of unregistered firearms in Ukraine. Therefore, the main purpose of the bill is to consolidate the basic rights and obligations for the production, acquisition, possession, disposal and use of weapons and ammunition. The bill is currently being under consideration.
Previously, Ukrainian authorities dispensed unspecified number of firearms to people in militia-like "territorial defense" units after the beginning of the Russian special operation. It was unclear, however, if people receiving the guns were undergoing any background checks at all.