The legalization of civilian firearms is approaching in Ukraine: what does draft law No. 5708 provide for?

The Verkhovna Rada has included draft law No. 5708 “On the Right to Civilian Firearms” in the agenda of its fourteenth session, which could become the most comprehensive reform in the field of firearms circulation in the history of independent Ukraine. The document was adopted in the first reading back in February 2022, and more than 700 amendments have been submitted for the second reading. Its return to active consideration means that it is highly likely to be adopted.

Single state register of weapons: control and transparency

The draft law provides for the creation of a Unified State Register of Weapons, which will be maintained by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Information about weapons will be stored for 30 years after their destruction, and data about the owner will be anonymized 15 years after the termination of ownership. Any possession or disposal of weapons without entering the data in the Register will be expressly prohibited (the provisions of the draft correspond to the principles of public accounting under Article 19 of the Constitution).

Who can obtain an owner’s certificate

The right to possess weapons will be granted to legally competent citizens of Ukraine, foreigners, and stateless persons who permanently reside in Ukraine, provided that they:

• have no medical contraindications;
• have no expunged or removed convictions for criminal offenses;
• have not been brought to administrative responsibility under the articles specified in the Code of Administrative Offenses (in particular, Articles 44, 130, 173, 185, etc.) during the last year;
• have not been deprived of the right to possess weapons by a court and are not subject to sanctions.

A state enforcement officer will be able to impose temporary restrictions on a debtor’s right to use weapons — this provision echoes the existing practice of restricting debtors’ right to drive vehicles (Law of Ukraine “On Enforcement Proceedings”).

Categories of civilian weapons

The bill introduces a new classification:

• A – automatic weapons;
• B – smooth-bore short-barreled (traumatic);
• C – short-barreled firearms (except traumatic);
• D – long-barreled smooth-bore;
• E – long-barreled rifled and combined.

What will be banned

Weapons with modified or altered parts, weapons with removed markings, weapons made of materials invisible to detectors, weapons with a caliber of more than 12.7 mm and a bullet velocity of more than 700 m/s, grenade launchers, mortars, artillery systems, and related ammunition will not be allowed in civilian circulation. The registration of a single weapon to several persons will also be prohibited.

Will they allow wearing

The bill establishes a general ban on carrying weapons, with the following exceptions:

• Holders of categories C, D, and E will only be allowed to carry weapons at home, while hunting, or at a shooting range.
• Holders of category B will be allowed to carry weapons anywhere except in “weapon-free zones.”
• Persons awarded with category C short-barreled weapons will also be allowed to carry them in accordance with the general rules.

Bill No. 5708 effectively creates a unified system for the civilian circulation of weapons, introduces clear rules for liability, storage, carrying, and use, and provides for state control through a unified register. This brings Ukraine closer to European regulatory models (in particular, EU Directive 2017/853 on the control of weapons circulation).