The Estonian government has approved changes to the law on weapons. The republic’s authorities say that by doing so they are eliminating possible risks.
Estonia introduced a legal ban on the possession of weapons for citizens of third countries residing there. The government of the republic approved on Wednesday, November 2, the changes to the law on weapons, introduced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Now they must be considered by Parliament.
According to the Estonian authorities, the proposed standard will affect 1,325 people who own 3,080 weapons. Most of those subject to the restriction are citizens of Russia and Belarus living in the republic.
“Today we cannot risk that the citizens of another, hostile, state, have a permit to carry weapons and own them,” – said the Minister of Internal Affairs of Estonia Lauri Läänemets. In his opinion, they may have “felt that they should take up arms” for reasons of “ideology or civic loyalty” in defense of their country’s interests. “With this law, we eliminate such risks,” Läänemets explained.
Third country nationals will be given one year to surrender their weapons
According to the bill, weapons permits issued to citizens of states that are not members of the European Union and NATO will expire in one year. After that, owners must surrender their weapons within a year. Otherwise, law enforcement agencies will seize it at the average market price.
The issuance of new firearms permits after the law’s entry into force will be halted. According to the Republic’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, this will happen in early 2023. By adopting the document, the new government of Estonia, which has been in effect since July, led by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, fulfills one of the coalition agreement conditions. It provides that weapons permits issued to citizens of the Russian Federation and Belarus shall be declared invalid, and their further issuance terminated.
Estonia closes entry to Russian tourists
In September, Estonia, along with Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, closed entry to Russian tourists. Citizens of the Russian Federation with tourist visas, including Schengen visas issued by third countries, are not allowed in the republic.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania also called on the EU, along with international partners, to help Ukraine create a special tribunal to prosecute Russia for crimes of military aggression. The foreign ministers of the three countries said the EU should continue to support investigations being carried out by Ukraine, several other states and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
It was previously reported that Estonia has declared Russia a terrorist regime. Estonian representatives strongly condemned the military actions of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and the illegal annexation of territories conquered during the invasion.
Source: DW
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.