Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDail.com) -- At the next plenary meeting of the Senate, the Law “On introducing an amendment to Article 2201 of the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on administrative responsibility in connection with improving the legislation on weapons” was considered.

In order to regulate relations related to the circulation of weapons and ammunition, the country has adopted the Law “On Weapons”, and is also taking systematic measures to improve the mechanism for preventing illicit trafficking in weapons.

At the same time, the provision enshrined in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the release from liability of persons who voluntarily surrendered firearms in their illegal possession does not solve the problem of exemption from liability of persons when they voluntarily surrender other types of weapons.

For example, in 2023 alone, employees of internal affairs bodies identified 1,072 units of illegal (not registered with internal affairs bodies) weapons, and 839 citizens were brought to justice under Article 2201 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility.

In addition, in 2023, 1,599 citizens turned to the internal affairs bodies with a request to voluntarily hand over pneumatic weapons that they stored without the appropriate permits.

However, despite the preventive work carried out by law enforcement agencies, even today there are cases related to the illegal possession of non-firearms, that is, pneumatic weapons, storing them at home, and carrying them on the street. Thus, in 2023, 5 accidents were committed with the use of pneumatic weapons, as a result of which 4 citizens were injured and 1 citizen died.

According to the current legislation, even if a citizen voluntarily brought and handed over an air gun, this weapon is confiscated and entails a fine on the citizen in the amount of fifteen to thirty basic calculated values, and on officials - from twenty-five to fifty basic calculated values, or administrative arrest for up to fifteen days.

Although Article 248 of the Criminal Code provides for the release from liability of a person who voluntarily surrenders firearms with a much higher level of public safety.

Taking into account the above problems, as well as in order to eliminate this legal gap, there is a need to enshrine in legislation a rule providing for the release from liability of persons who voluntarily surrendered non-firearms, such as pneumatic, signal, bladed , throwing weapons and self-defense weapons.

This Law introduces an addition to Article 2201 of the Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Administrative Liability, providing for the possibility of releasing a person from administrative liability upon voluntary surrender of pneumatic, signal, bladed, throwing and self-defense weapons in his illegal possession.

It was emphasized that this Law serves to ensure more reliable protection of the rights and legitimate interests of citizens, as well as to further increase the effectiveness of measures taken to protect public order and prevent cases of illicit trafficking in non-firearms.

After discussion, the Law was approved by the senators.