Two more conditions for the removal of a shotgun are added to the existing ones, so that violators can have repercussions. According to the Minister of Justice and Public Order Marios Hartsiotis, the Council of Ministers last Wednesday approved a bill that expands the reasons for removing the right to obtain a license to possess a hunting weapon.
Specifically, according to the bill, someone will lose the license they hold or the right to obtain a gun license, in the event that they are convicted of the crime of violence against women and domestic violence. Anyone who violates the terms of the license to cultivate medical and industrial cannabis will also lose the same right. In case of conviction for these two offenses, then the loss of possession of a weapon will be for 10 years.
As Mr. Hartsiotis explained to "F", it is inconceivable for someone to be convicted of violence against his wife or partner and at the same time continue to hold a license to use a hunting weapon or have the right to obtain such a license. Now the bill has been sent to the Parliament for discussion and voting.
It is noted that the offenses covered by the above legislations are related to or are a consequence of the corresponding ones provided for in the law on domestic violence (prevention and protection of victims), as well as in the law on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, for which the conviction already constitutes an impediment to the issuance of a license to acquire and possess a category C8 firearm.
It is recalled that in the past, tragedies had occurred within families, where a husband or partner killed his wife or even another family member, after a quarrel. Although the Chief of Police has the right to review the gun status of a person involved in cases of violence, however, with this legislation, the right to possess will be automatically lost.
According to statistics, Cyprus ranks 5th in the world in terms of population, in terms of possession of weapons, due to the many licenses for the possession of hunting weapons. It is estimated that there are more than 100,000 shotguns in the hands of hunters, while in an effort to bring order, in 2021 the Parliament had passed legislation banning the possession of weapons to people who had been exempted from their military obligations due to mental illness.
In order to hold a hunting gun license today, one must be over 18 years old, not considered dangerous to oneself or other persons, public order or security according to a court decision or after the opinion of a government medical council. He must also not have been convicted in Cyprus or abroad of some offenses such as rape, homicide, arson, robbery and has not been considered a lunatic. Not to have been legally exempted from the fulfilment of his military obligations or not to have received a suspension due to mental health, or even not to have been prohibited from the right to own a weapon.
At the same time, the Chief of Police has the possibility to request the presentation of a medical certificate of competency from a registered doctor or from a medical council when it comes to people who, in his opinion, do not meet the criteria to obtain a license or continue to possess a weapon.
In the meantime, the European Commission recently launched infringement procedures, sending letters of formal notice to Cyprus, Bulgaria, Denmark and France, calling on the four Member States to properly implement European firearms legislation.
The move concerns the incorrect transposition of Directive (EU) 2021/555, which sets common minimum standards for the acquisition, possession and commercial exchange of civilian firearms — such as those used in sport shooting and hunting. According to the Commission, the directive aims to maintain high security standards, as well as to prevent criminal acts and illicit arms trafficking.
The Commission gives the four countries two months to respond and correct the shortcomings identified. If there is no satisfactory response, the Commission may proceed to issue a reasoned opinion, the next stage of the infringement procedure.
