Pafos Press 19 June 2025
The police will charge 1,000-2,000 to citizens whose lives are deemed to be in danger, for the rental of pistols and ammunition. Provided that the conditions are met, the police services will issue a fully justified invoice. The invoice will also include a charge for the training they will receive at the MMAD shooting range in Analyontas, for their use. Today, the pistols and ammunition and the training are provided free of charge by the Police.
According to information from the newspaper Politis, currently approximately 30 people, including politicians, are circulating and carrying weapons among us with permission from the Council of Ministers.
The list of persons is considered top secret. The relevant bill, which was submitted to Parliament last Thursday, does not mention any fee amounts but leaves it to the discretion of the Chief of Police, who has a say in firearms licenses. He can decide to reject the request and it will not be put before the Council of Ministers.
The decision may be final. In special cases, the issuance of the weapon may be granted after there is a real role that requires the issuance, according to the bill, the license will be granted with or without conditions if the license is secured from the Ministerial Office.
The rental of pistols according to the bill
According to the Ministry of Justice, the bill requires the payment of costs by the individual, which includes ammunition and training in the use of a weapon. The charges will be fully justified. The existing legal regime allows the granting of the license for up to two years, while now with the renewed bill the lease will last one year, which will be the duration of the firearms license. Upon its expiration, the bill provides that the renewal of a firearms license will be possible under conditions by decision of the Chief of Police and with new approval of the Council of Ministers. A new application will be issued by the interested party and a review of the new data.
This provision of the bill aims to ensure that the acquisition and possession of pistols will be limited in time to what is absolutely necessary. It provides better guarantees of ensuring that the reasons for which the license was approved are valid from the beginning, continue and are justified. The training to be provided by the Police is a necessary condition for obtaining the relevant license. In case of failure of the training, the license should be revoked and the Council of Ministers will be informed accordingly. Today, those who have a license to carry weapons undergo training but that is all. No other condition is set.
