Text consolidated by Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) with amending laws of: 20 February 2020 [shall come into force on 6 March 2020]; 6 May 2021 [shall come into force on 4 June 2021]; 23 September 2021 [shall come into force on 1 January 2023]; 20 January 2022 [shall come into force on 17 February 2022]; 29 September 2022 [shall come into force on 18 October 2022]. If a whole or part of a section has been amended, the date of the amending law appears in square brackets at the end of the section. If a whole section, paragraph or clause has been deleted, the date of the deletion appears in square brackets beside the deleted section, paragraph or clause.

The Saeima ¹ has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:

Law on the Handling of Weapons

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Terms Used in this Law

The following terms are used in this Law:

1) antique firearm - a firearm which is intended only for firing unfixed ammunition (components of ammunition which are not combined into one round) and has been manufactured until 1899;

2) handling - the manufacturing (production), repair, acquisition, sale, collecting, importing into or exporting from Latvia, including importing from a third country or exporting to a third country or transit through the territory of Latvia from one third country to another third country, of weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means, and also inheriting, recording, displaying in exhibitions or demonstration, use, application, possession, carrying, transportation, conveyance, withdrawal, and destruction of the abovementioned objects;

3) repeating firearm - a firearm in which a new round is loaded from a magazine or a cylinder by a hand-operated mechanism after each shot;

4) non-firearm weapon - an object that has the features of a weapon and that is intended to cause damage using human muscle strength or special mechanisms;

5) automatic firearm - a firearm that automatically loads for a new shot after each shot and, if its firing mechanism has once been actuated, can make several shots;

6) service firearm - a firearm which is intended for the fulfilment of service or official duties and which belongs to State and local government authorities to which the rights to purchase, store, and use firearms in their activities have been granted in accordance with the law;

7) electric shock devices - special means the high voltage electric charge of which has a short-term paralysing effect on the organism of a human or animal;

8) long firearm - a firearm the barrel of which is longer than 300 millimetres or the total length of which exceeds 600 millimetres;

9) gas cylinders - special means filled with liquefied gas which has a short-term irritating or paralysing effect;

10) gas weapon and signal weapon - a device with a chamber which is intended only for firing salute rounds, irritants, other active substances, or pyrotechnic signalling ammunition;

11) possession - the keeping of weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means at a permitted location in conformity with the specified safety requirements;

12) smooth-bore firearm - a firearm at least two thirds of the length of the muzzle bore of which are smooth, measuring from the chamber;

13) acquisition - the acquisition of weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means in ownership or possession;

14) weapon - an object or mechanism specially made for the destruction or damaging of live or inanimate targets, or also for the firing of salute rounds, irritants, other active substances, or pyrotechnic signalling ammunition;

15) deactivation of a weapon - the rendering of a firearm unfit for firing a shot so that all essential components of the firearm have become permanently inoperable and cannot be removed, replaced or modified in a manner that would allow to render the firearm fit for shooting in any way, or rendering of a high-energy pneumatic weapon unfit for firing a shot;

16) transportation of a weapon - transportation, carrying, or other movement with oneself of a weapon that is unloaded and packaged separately of ammunition so that it cannot be applied;

17) repair of a weapon - elimination of a defect of a weapon or adjustment of a weapon to the individual needs of an owner;

18) weapons broker - a person who has received a licence (but is not a weapons dealer) and is engaged in the arrangement of transactions for the purchase, sale, or supply of firearms, essential components of firearms, ammunition of firearms, as well as in the arrangement of the transfer of firearms, essential components of firearms, or ammunition of firearms in a European Union Member State from one European Union Member State to another European Union Member State, from a European Union Member State to a third country, or from a third country to a European Union Member State;

19) weapons dealer - a person who has received the special permit (licence) for the commercial activity involving weapons, ammunition, and special means, as well as the essential components of firearms and ammunition components of firearms;

20) short firearm - a firearm the barrel of which is not longer than 300 millimetres or the total length of which does not exceed 600 millimetres;

21) manufacturing - industrial, craft, or individual manufacturing or assembly of different weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means;

22) calibre - the internal diameter of the barrel of a firearm, the defined size of a projectile or a shell case;

23) classification - the division of weapons and ammunition into categories according to their technical parameters and use;

24) collection - a stock of weapons, essential components of firearms, or ammunition which has the significance of a historical, cultural, scientific, technical, educational, forensic source or other source of reference;

25) laser tag device - an object which resembles an industrially manufactured firearm, or a deactivated firearm which has been adapted for shooting with laser or infra-red ray;

26) high-energy pneumatic weapon - a pneumatic weapon with the initial energy of a projectile of more than 12 joules;

27) marking - introduction of such special marks or number on a weapon, its essential components, and ammunition which allow to distinguish it from other weapons, their components, and ammunition;

28) low-energy pneumatic weapon - a pneumatic weapon with the initial energy of a projectile not exceeding 12 joules;

29) military weapon and special means - a weapon and special means manufactured especially for military needs which has been included in the Common Military List of the European Union and is intended for the destruction or damaging of live or inanimate targets, as well as the ammunition, components, and accessories of such weapon and special means;

30) ammunition - objects constructionally designed for making a shot when firing a weapon;

31) carrying - carrying of a weapon or special means ready for application with oneself outside the place of possession;

32) conveyance - movement of weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means by mail, in luggage, or with the intermediation of third persons;

33) round - ammunition of a firearm or gas weapon (with or without a projectile) in which gunpowder or other propellant, incendiary device (primer), and shell case (or without it) have been combined in a complete unit;

34) paintball weapon - a marker operated with the force of gas pressure which resembles a firearm and is shooting gelatin balls or balls made of other materials which are filled with a colouring substance and dissolve at the place of impact by marking it;

35) pneumatic weapon - a weapon from which a bullet, arrow or another projectile is fired with the help of compressed gas;

36) semi-automatic firearm - a firearm which automatically loads for a new shot after each shot and if the firing mechanism thereof has been actuated once, only one shot can be fired;

37) marketing - the sale, exchange, gifting, re-registration or other forms of the transfer of weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means in the ownership or possession of another person;

38) salute weapon (acoustic weapon) - a firearm specifically modified for the sole use of firing salute rounds so that it could be used, for example, in theatre performances, photo shoots, film and television recordings, historical re-enactments, and parades;

39) salute round - a round without a projectile which is intended for the imitation of shooting, for saluting, or for the giving of a signal;

40) special means - chemical substances, objects, or mechanisms intended for self-defence or ensuring of public order, but are not weapons;

41) airsoft weapon - an object operated with the force of an electric motor, spring, or gas pressure which resembles a firearm and is intended for shooting with plastic balls, iron balls or balls made of other materials;

42) firearm - any portable barrelled weapon that expels, is designed to expel, or may be converted to expel a projectile by the action of gunpowder or another propellant;

43) essential component of a firearm - a component which, being a separate object, is included in the category of the firearm on which it is or is intended to be mounted - the barrel, including barrels and adapters which can be fitted on and are intended for the change of the calibre, the frame, the receiver or the frame of the firing mechanism, the breech block, the cylinder, the barrel casing which fixes the barrel and performs the function of the frame;

44) copy of a firearm - an accurate replication of the original firearm which is not fit for use and which only has the functions of a source of reference or ornamental functions;

45) exchangeable essential components of a firearm - the exchangeable barrel of the firearm, the exchangeable set of the barrel and breech block of the firearm (if the breech block can be changed completely), the barrel which can be fitted and is intended for the change of the calibre, and the adapter;

46) ammunition of a firearm - a round used in a firearm and the components thereof;

47) component of a firearm - any element or its substitute which is specially constructed for a firearm and is fit for operating it, as well as a device which has been constructed or adapted for silencing the sound of the shot of the firearm or for suppressing flames;

48) projectile - a bullet, canister, pellet, arrow or another object or substance which is intended or adapted for firing from a weapon or which has been fired from a weapon;

49) traumatic firearm - a firearm which is constructionally designed only for rounds with reduced quantity of gunpowder or another propellant and the projectile of which is made of such material which reduces the possibility of inflicting bodily harm that is dangerous to the life of a human being or an animal;

50) single-shot firearm - a firearm which does not have a magazine or a cylinder and in which the ammunition (round) is loaded manually before each shot;

51) rifled firearm - a firearm in the muzzle bore of which spiral grooves have been formed along its entire length, which cause the rotation of a bullet, except for firearms which are intended for shooting with smooth-bore firearm ammunition and which are classified as smooth-bore firearms in Latvia.

[20 February 2020]

Section 2. Purpose of this Law

The purpose of this Law is to determine the rights and obligations of State and local government authorities and private individuals in relation to the handling of weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means in Latvia, as well as to determine the classification of such objects, the prohibitions and restrictions in relation to such objects in order to guarantee personal and public safety.

Section 3. Scope of Application of this Law

(1) This Law applies to weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means, except for:

1) antique firearms;

2) copies of firearms;

3) bows;

4) industrially manufactured and certified production instruments, technical instruments, instruments for animal slaughtering in which the operational principles or constructions of firearms have been used and which may be used only for the intended purposes;

5) industrially manufactured objects (devices) which are intended for causing an alarm, signalling, saving of lives and in which the operational principles or constructions of firearms have been used, and which may be used only for the intended purposes;

6) underwater hunting weapons if they can be used only for the abovementioned purposes;

7) replications of antique firearms if a round intended for the prohibited firearms or firearms for the handling of which a permission of the State Police is required cannot be fired from them.

(2) An object which is intended or can be adapted for the firing of a projectile as a result of the action of gunpowder or another propellant shall also be considered a firearm if it resembles a firearm or has been disguised as another object and its construction or material from which this object has been manufactured allows for it to be converted for the firing of a projectile as a result of the action of gunpowder or another propellant, except for the objects referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.

(3) This Law applies to ammunition and its components, except for:

1) arrows of bows and crossbows;

2) pyrotechnic signalling ammunition;

3) ammunition of pneumatic weapons;

4) ammunition of airsoft weapons;

5) ammunition of paintball weapons;

6) ammunition of underwater weapons.

Chapter II
Classification of Weapons and Ammunition

Section 4. Classification of Weapons and Ammunition in Latvia

(1) In Latvia, only the handling of such firearms and their ammunition, gas weapons and signal weapons which have been classified in the State Police shall be permitted in Latvia.

(2) A firearm and ammunition of the same type, make (system), model, and calibre may be classified for several types of use.

(3) Classification of weapons and ammunition shall not be applicable to service and military weapons.

(4) The procedures by which the State Police shall classify firearms and their ammunition shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(5) The Cabinet shall determine:

1) the procedures for classifying gas weapons and signal weapons, and also for verifying their conformity to the technical specifications for weapons of Category E;

2) the procedures for requesting and receiving samples of gas weapons and signal weapons for the performance of examination;

3) the technical specifications for weapons of Category E.

(6) If during classification of gas weapons and signal weapons the State Police establishes that the relevant gas weapon or signal weapon cannot be deemed a weapon of Category E, it shall classify the gas weapon and signal weapon in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations regarding classification of firearms and their ammunition, except for the case where the handling of the gas weapon and signal weapon is prohibited in Latvia.

(7) The State Police shall be a contact point which ensures that conformity of gas weapons and signal weapons to the technical specifications for weapons of Category E is verified, shall cooperate with other European Union Member States and countries of the European Economic Area, and also, upon receipt of a request, shall inform another European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area of results of the respective verification of conformity.

[20 February 2020]

Section 5. Technical Classification of Weapons and Ammunition

(1) Weapons and ammunition shall be classified into Category A, B, C, D, E, and F according to their technical parameters.

(2) In Category A, the firearms and ammunition shall be divided into the following sub-groups:

1) rifle grenade launchers and grenade launchers;

2) automatic firearms;

3) firearms disguised as other objects;

4) incendiary (ranging) ammunition (ammunition of a firearm the bullet of which contains an incendiary chemical mixture that ignites after coming into contact with the target), tracer ammunition (ammunition of a firearm in the bullet of which such pyrotechnic composition is used the burning of which makes the trajectory of the bullet visible), armour defeating ammunition, as well as bullets for such ammunition;

5) pistol and revolver rounds with expanding bullets (bullet of a firearm which, when penetrating the target, disintegrates or expands) or bullets with a displaced centre of gravity;

6) automatic firearms which have been converted into semi-automatic firearms;

7) semi-automatic firearms the ammunition of which has a central primer and which conform to the following parameters:

a) short firearms from which more than 21 rounds can be fired without reloading, if a magazine with the capacity of more than 20 rounds is part of that firearm, or a detachable magazine with the capacity of more than 20 rounds is inserted into it;

b) long firearms from which more than 11 rounds can be fired without reloading, if a magazine with the capacity of more than 10 rounds is part of that firearm, or a detachable magazine with the capacity of more than 10 rounds is inserted into it;

8) semi-automatic long firearms (firearms that originally were intended to be fired from the shoulder) the length of which can be reduced to less than 600 mm without losing their functionality by folding or telescoping the butt, or removing it without the use of tools;

9) any firearm in this category that has been converted into a salute weapon (acoustic weapon) or gas weapon and signal weapon.

(3) In Category B, the firearms and ammunition shall be divided into the following sub-groups:

1) repeating short firearms;

2) single-shot short firearms the ammunition of which have a central primer;

3) single-shot short firearms the total length of which is less than 280 millimetres and the ammunition of which have a rimfire primer;

4) semi-automatic long firearms the ammunition of which have a rimfire primer and the chamber and magazine of which can collectively hold more than three rounds, as well as semi-automatic long firearms the ammunition of which have a central primer and the chamber and magazine of which can collectively hold more than three, but less than twelve, rounds;

5) semi-automatic short firearms other than those referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 7, Sub-clause "a" of this Section;

6) semi-automatic long firearms referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 7, Sub-clause "b" of this Section and the chamber and magazine of which can collectively hold more than three rounds, but the magazine is detachable, or which can be converted into such a firearm the chamber and magazine of which can collectively hold more than three rounds with ordinary tools;

7) repeating and semi-automatic smooth-bore firearms the total length of the barrel of which does not exceed 600 millimetres;

8) any firearm in this category that has been converted into a salute weapon (acoustic weapon) or gas weapon and signal weapon;

9) semi-automatic firearms which are not military firearms, however, resemble automatic firearms, and which are not included in Paragraph two, Clause 6, 7, or 8 of this Section.

(4) Semi-automatic, repeating or single-shot gas weapons and signal weapons which can be converted to fire a bullet or to expel a multi-component projectile from the bore by the action of gunpowder or another propellant shall be considered firearms of Category B and depending on the principle of its operation shall be classified in the corresponding sub-group of Category B.

(5) In Category C, the firearms and ammunition shall be divided into the following sub-groups:

1) repeating long firearms, except for the firearms referred to in Paragraph three, Clause 7 of this Section;

2) single-shot long-rifled firearms;

3) semi-automatic long firearms, except for the firearms referred to in Paragraphs two and three of this Section;

4) single-shot short firearms the total length of which is not less than 280 millimetres and the ammunition of which have a rimfire primer;

5) any firearm in this category that has been converted into a salute weapon (acoustic weapon) or gas weapon and signal weapon;

6) firearms which have been classified into Category A or B or in this category and deactivated in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2403 of 15 December 2015 establishing common guidelines on deactivation standards and techniques for ensuring that deactivated firearms are rendered irreversibly inoperable (hereinafter - Regulation 2015/2403);

7) single-shot long smooth-bore firearms.

(6) High-energy pneumatic weapons shall be weapons of Category D.

(7) Gas weapons and signal weapons which conform to the technical specifications laid down in the Cabinet regulations and which cannot be converted to fire a bullet or to expel a multi-component projectile from the bore by the action of gunpowder or another propellant shall be weapons of Category E.

(8) Low-energy pneumatic weapons, airsoft weapons, paintball weapons, and lasertag devices shall be weapons of Category F.

[20 February 2020]

Section 6. Classification of Weapons and Ammunition in Conformity with the Use Thereof

The State Police shall classify the weapons and ammunition of natural persons and legal persons according to their use as follows:

1) self-defence weapons and their ammunition;

2) hunting weapons and their ammunition;

3) sports weapons and their ammunition;

4) weapons of collection;

5) weapons intended for the field of culture and for historical re-enactments and their ammunition.

Section 7. Self-defence Weapons, Ammunition, and Special Means

(1) The following weapons, ammunition, and special means may be intended for self-defence:

1) semi-automatic, repeating, or single-shot short firearms (pistols and revolvers) of Category B with the calibre not exceeding nine millimetres and their industrially manufactured ammunition, except for the traumatic firearms of the abovementioned category and their ammunition;

2) long smooth-bore firearms of Categories B and C and their industrially manufactured ammunition the length of the cartridge case of which does not exceed 76.2 mm, except for the traumatic firearms of the abovementioned categories and their ammunition;

3) semi-automatic, repeating, or single-shot short gas weapons and signal weapons (pistols and revolvers) of Category E which have been industrially manufactured for the use of gas weapon ammunition, as well as the salute rounds intended for them;

4) gas sprays;

5) electric shock devices, except for electric shock pistols or devices with wires and electrodes.

(2) The following irritants (lachrymators) may be used in gas weapons, signal weapons, and gas sprays of Category E classified for self-defence:

1) omega-chloroacetophenone (phenacyl chloride) CN (CAS number 532-27-4);

2) O-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CAS number 2698-41-1);

3) Oleoresin Capsicum, Capsaicin OC (pepper gas) (CAS number 8023-77-6);

4) Capsaicin II PAVA (synthetic pepper gas, Nonivamide) (CAS number 2444-46-4).

Section 8. Hunting Weapons, Ammunition, and Their Components

The following weapons, ammunition, and their components may be intended for hunting:

1) long smooth-bore firearms of Categories B and C and their ammunition;

2) long-rifled firearms of Categories B and C and their ammunition;

3) high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and their ammunition;

4) expanding bullets (bullet of a firearm which, when penetrating the target, disintegrates or expands) or bullets with a displaced centre of gravity of Category A;

5) rounds of hunting firearms which are assembled from industrially manufactured components or self-made canisters, pellets, and bullets, as well as gunpowder;

6) the exchangeable essential components of hunting firearms;

7) fire sound suppressors (silencers) for long firearms classified for hunting and long firearms classified for hunting and equipped therewith, except for fire sound suppressors (silencers) for long-rifled firearms with the calibre of up to 5.6 mm for which ammunition with rimfire primers are used, as well as if the shot is fired using ammunition with reduced quantity of gunpowder.

Section 9. Sports Weapons, Ammunition, and Their Components

The following weapons, ammunition, and their components may be intended for sports:

1) automatic firearms of Category A which have been converted into semi-automatic firearms, and their ammunition;

2) semi-automatic long firearms of Category A the ammunition of which has central primer and from which more than 11 rounds can be fired without reloading;

3) semi-automatic short firearms of Category A the ammunition of which has central primer and from which more than 21 rounds can be fired without reloading;

4) long smooth-bore firearms of Categories B and C and their ammunition;

5) long-rifled firearms of Categories B and C and their ammunition;

6) semi-automatic, repeating, or single-shot short firearms (pistols and revolvers) of Category B the calibre of which is not more than 11.43 millimetres and their ammunition, except for the traumatic firearms of the abovementioned category and their ammunition;

7) high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and low-energy pneumatic weapons of Category F and their ammunition;

8) the exchangeable essential components of sports firearms;

9) expanding bullets (bullet of a firearm which, when penetrating the target, disintegrates or expands) or bullets with a displaced centre of gravity of Category A;

10) rounds of sports firearms which are assembled from industrially manufactured components or self-made canisters, pellets, and bullets, as well as gunpowder;

11) magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds for the long firearms of Category A classified for sports or magazines that can hold more than 20 rounds for the short firearms of Category A classified for sports;

12) fire sound suppressors (silencers) for the long firearms classified for sports and long firearms classified for sports and equipped therewith, except for fire sound suppressors (silencers) for long-rifled firearms with the calibre of up to 5.6 mm for which ammunition with rimfire primers are used, as well as if the shot is fired using ammunition with reduced quantity of gunpowder.

Section 10. Weapons of Collection and Their Essential Components

Weapons of Categories A, B, C, and D classified for collection and the essential components of the weapons of Categories A, B, C, and D classified for collection shall be considered weapons intended for collection and their essential components.

Section 11. Weapons Intended for the Field of Culture and for Historical Re-enactments and Their Ammunition

Automatic salute weapons (acoustic weapons) of Category A, salute weapons (acoustic weapons) of Categories B and C classified for the field of culture and for historical re-enactments and the salute rounds intended for them shall be considered weapons and ammunition classified for the field of culture and for historical re-enactments.

Chapter III
Prohibitions on the Handling of Weapons, Ammunition, and Their Components, as well as Special Means

Section 12. General Prohibitions on the Handling of Weapons and Ammunition

The following is prohibited in Latvia:

1) the handling of the weapons, ammunition, and special means (except for their withdrawing and destruction) prohibited in international treaties binding on Latvia;

2) the handling of non-classified weapons and ammunition (except for deactivated weapons, pneumatic weapons, airsoft weapons, paintball weapons, lasertag devices, and non-firearm weapons);

3) the handling of such firearms and their essential components and ammunition, high-energy pneumatic weapons, gas weapons, and signal weapons which have not been marked in accordance with the procedures for marking laid down in the laws and regulations;

4) the handling of self-made firearms, high-energy pneumatic weapons, gas weapons, and signal weapons and self-made ammunition (except for the assembly of rounds of hunting and sports firearms from industrially manufactured components or self-made canisters, pellets, and bullets);

5) the conversion of firearms as a result of which the category of firearms or the sub-group of the category of firearms is changed (except for the converting of firearms into salute weapons (acoustic weapons) and deactivation of firearms);

6) the conversion of such weapons for concealed carrying which industrially are not intended for carrying (weapons with sawn-off or re-bored barrels, sawn-off butts, dismounted butts);

7) the conversion of firearms for firing with the ammunition of gas weapons and signal weapons or traumatic firearms;

8) the conversion of salute weapons (acoustic weapons) for firing a bullet or expelling a multi-component projectile from the bore by the action of gunpowder or another propellant;

9) the conversion of copies of firearms for firing a bullet or expelling a multi-component projectile from the bore by the action of gunpowder or another propellant;

10) the conversion of gas weapons and signal weapons, including the unscrewing of the barrel restrictions provided in the design, or other forms of conversion for firing a bullet or expelling a multi-component projectile from the bore by the action of gunpowder or another propellant;

11) the conversion of pneumatic weapons for firing the ammunition of firearms;

12) the reactivation of deactivated firearms for firing the ammunition of firearms or other forms of conversion for firing a bullet or expelling a multi-component projectile from the bore by the action of gunpowder or another propellant;

13) the handling of deactivated firearms not conforming to the requirements of Regulation 2015/2403, as well as of firearms deactivated until 8 April 2016 without a statement from the State Police certifying the deactivation of the firearm;

14) the handling of deactivated high-energy pneumatic weapons without the statement or certification of the State Police;

15) the use of Category A weapons, except in the cases specified in this Law.

Section 13. Prohibitions for Natural Persons and Legal Persons

(1) Natural persons are prohibited from:

1) acquiring, possessing, carrying, marketing, using and applying salute weapons (acoustic weapons);

2) acquiring, possessing, carrying, marketing, and applying electric shock devices with wires that can be fired, and with electrodes;

3) acquiring, possessing, and marketing ammunition the projectile of which is filled with medicinal products intended for the temporary incapacitation, paralysing, or killing of animals, and weapons specially intended for such ammunition;

4) carrying such non-firearm weapons which are specially intended for inflicting bodily harm, except for non-firearm weapons intended for hunters, fishers, and anglers - in hunting, fishing, and angling -, non-firearm weapons intended for athletes for the particular type of sports - in competitions or training -, and non-firearm weapons which are used by the participants of cultural events in performances, parades, and other official cultural events;

5) acquiring, carrying, transporting, using and applying firearms, gas weapons and signal weapons, pneumatic weapons, airsoft weapons, paintball weapons, lasertag devices, deactivated weapons under the influence of alcohol if the alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled air or the blood alcohol concentration detected in a blood test exceeds 0.5 per mille, as well as under the influence of narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances;

6) acquiring and transporting the exchangeable essential components of firearms under the influence of alcohol if the alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled air or the blood alcohol concentration detected in a blood test exceeds 0.5 per mille, as well as under the influence of narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances;

7) attending cultural, festive, commemorative, entertainment, sports or recreational events available to the public at a public place with firearms, gas weapons and signal weapons, pneumatic weapons, airsoft weapons, paintball weapons, lasertag devices, deactivated weapons, non-firearm weapons, ammunition, and special means, as well as to demonstrate them at a public place, except when it has been permitted by the organiser of the event;

8) openly carrying weapons and their ammunition, deactivated weapons, and special means;

9) acquiring, possessing, carrying, marketing, using, and applying fire sound suppressors (silencers) for self-defence, and also equipping self-defence firearms with them;

10) refusing to submit to a medical test for alcohol concentration, a test for narcotic, psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances in order to establish whether the person has violated the prohibitions specified in Clauses 5 and 6 of this Paragraph.

(2) Natural persons and legal persons are prohibited from:

1) manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, carrying, marketing, using, and applying weapons of concentrated and directed energy (laser, fundamental particle, or high-power radio-frequency beam systems which can destroy or paralyse the target);

2) manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, carrying, marketing, using, and applying traumatic firearms and their ammunition;

3) manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, carrying, marketing, using, and applying automatic gas weapons and signal weapons;

4) manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, carrying, marketing, using, and applying the ammunition which is filled with nerve paralysing gases or the ammunition of such gas weapons and signal weapons which contains a bullet or a multi-component projectile for expelling from the bore by the action of gunpowder or another propellant and may inflict bodily harm or cause death of a human being;

5) manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, carrying, marketing, using, and applying gas grenades, ammunition which is filled with irritants or paralysing substances, and light and sound devices of psychological effect which may endanger human health or cause his or her death;

6) manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, carrying, marketing, using, and applying flame arresters, as well as firearms equipped with them.

[20 February 2020]

Chapter IV
Authorisations for Weapons

Section 14. Natural Persons who have the Right to Acquire, Possess, Carry, and Transport Weapons, Their Components and the Ammunition Intended for Them, as well as Special Means

(1) A natural person who has attained 16 years of age has the right to acquire, possess, carry, and transport gas cylinders intended for self-defence and to apply them for self-defence.

(2) A natural person who has attained 16 years of age, but has not attained 18 years of age, who has a hunting licence issued by the State Forest Service, and who is not subject to the prohibitions referred to in this Law has the right to use a weapon classified for hunting (except for a rifled weapon) in individual hunting with the written consent of the parents or legal representatives and the permission of the State Police in the direct presence of the owner of the weapon. The owner of the weapon shall be responsible for the conformity with the safety requirements and the requirements of the laws and regulations governing hunting.

(3) A natural person who has attained 18 years of age has the right to:

1) acquire, possess, carry, and transport gas weapons and signal weapons of Category E classified for self-defence and to apply the abovementioned weapons and their ammunition for self-defence;

2) acquire, possess, transport and operate low-energy pneumatic weapons, airsoft weapons with the initial energy of a projectile not exceeding 1.5 joules, paintball weapons with the initial energy not exceeding of a projectile 12 joules, and lasertag devices of Category F. Low-energy pneumatic weapons of Category F may be used in training and sports competitions, but other Category F weapons and devices - in simulation games in accordance with the conditions of this Law;

3) acquire, possess, transport, and convey non-firearm weapons and use them in training and sports competitions;

4) acquire, possess, and carry electric shock devices for self-defence and apply them for self-defence;

5) acquire, possess, carry, and transport deactivated firearms which conform to the requirements of Regulation 2015/2403, after receipt of a statement from the State Police to possess, carry, and transport deactivated firearms, as well as after receipt of a statement or certification from the State Police to acquire, possess, and transport deactivated high-energy pneumatic weapons.

(4) A natural person who has attained 16 years of age, but not has attained 18 years of age, has the right, with the permission of the parents or legal representatives, to use the following in simulation games in accordance with the conditions of this Law:

1) airsoft weapons with the initial energy of a projectile not exceeding 1.5 joules;

2) airsoft weapons with the initial energy of a projectile not exceeding 12 joules;

3) lasertag devices.

(5) A natural person who has attained 10 years of age has the right, with the permission of the parents or legal representatives, to use paintball weapons with the initial energy of a projectile not exceeding 12 joules which do not resemble industrially manufactured firearms in simulation games in accordance with the conditions of this Law.

(6) A citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen of Latvia, a citizen of a European Union Member State, and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area, as well as a person who has received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia and who has a hunting licence issued by the State Forest Service, or a citizen of a European Union Member State, a country of the European Economic Area, or a member state of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation who has the right to stay in the Republic of Latvia and who has a permit issued by the State Forest Service to hunt in the territory of Latvia, if the age of 18 years has been attained and the prohibitions referred to in this Law do not apply thereto, have the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, and convey long smooth-bore firearms of Categories B and C classified for hunting and their ammunition and to use such firearms in hunting, practice shooting, shooting competitions, as well as for killing farm animals in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations regarding the protection of farm animals intended for slaughter;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, and convey high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D classified for hunting and to use such weapons in hunting, practice shooting, and shooting competitions;

3) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and use the exchangeable essential components of firearms.

(7) A citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen of Latvia, a citizen of a European Union Member State, and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area, as well as a person who has received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia, who has attained 18 years of age, who is a member of a registered sports organisation linked to shooting sports and who holds at least the second sports class in the type of sports linked to shooting, if the prohibitions referred to in this Law do not apply to this person, has the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, and convey long smooth-bore firearms of Categories B and C classified for sports and their ammunition and to use such firearms for practice shooting and in shooting sports competitions;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, and convey long-rifled firearms of Categories B and C classified for sports and their ammunition and to use such firearms for practice shooting and in shooting sports competitions;

3) to acquire, possess, transport, and convey short firearms of Category B classified for sports the calibre of which does not exceed 5.6 millimetres and their ammunition, and to use such firearms for practice shooting and in shooting sports competitions;

4) to acquire, possess, transport, and convey Category D high-energy pneumatic weapons classified for sports and to use such weapons in practice shooting and in shooting sports competitions;

5) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and use the exchangeable essential components of firearms classified for sports.

(8) A citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen of Latvia, a citizen of a European Union Member State, and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area, as well as a person who has received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia, who has attained 18 years of age, if the prohibitions referred to in this Law do not apply to this person, has the right, with the permission of the State Police, to acquire, possess, transport, and convey long smooth-bore firearms of Categories B and C classified for self-defence and their ammunition, and to use them for self-defence, practice shooting, and shooting competitions.

(9) A citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen of Latvia, a citizen of a European Union Member State, and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area, as well as a person who has received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia and who has a hunting licence issued by the State Forest Service, or a citizen of a European Union Member State, a country of the European Economic Area, or a member state of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation who has received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia and who has a permit issued by the State Forest Service to hunt in the territory of Latvia, if the age of 21 years has been attained and the prohibitions referred to in this Law do not apply thereto, have the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, and convey long-rifled firearms of Categories B and C classified for hunting and their ammunition, and to use such firearms in hunting, practice shooting, shooting competitions, as well as for killing farm animals in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations regarding the protection of farm animals intended for slaughter;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and use the exchangeable essential components of hunting firearms.

(10) A citizen of Latvia, a citizen of a European Union Member State who has received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia, and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area who has attained 21 years of age, if the prohibitions referred to in this Law do not apply thereto, has the right, with the permission of the State Police, to acquire, possess, transport, carry, and convey semi-automatic, repeating and single shot short firearms of Category B classified for self-defence the calibre of which is not more than nine millimetres, and their ammunition, and to use such weapons in practice shooting and shooting competitions, as well as to apply them for self-defence.

(11) A citizen of Latvia, a citizen of a European Union Member State who has received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia, and a citizen of a state of the European Economic Area who has attained 21 years of age, who has been a member of a registered sports organisation linked to shooting sports for at least 12 months, and who holds at least the second sports class in the type of sports linked to shooting, if the prohibitions referred to in this Law do not apply thereto, has the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, and convey long-rifled firearms of Category A classified for sports and their ammunition, as well as firearm magazines intended for them the capacity of which exceeds 10 rounds, and to use such weapons in practice shooting and shooting competitions;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, and convey short firearms of Category A classified for sports the calibre of which is not more than 11.43 millimetres, and their ammunition, as well as firearm magazines intended for them the capacity of which exceeds 20 rounds, and to use such weapons in practice shooting and shooting competitions;

3) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and use the exchangeable essential components of firearms classified for sports.

(12) A natural person has the right to acquire or possess not more than 10 firearms and high-energy pneumatic weapons, excluding the exchangeable essential components of firearms.

Section 15. Legal Persons who have the Right to Acquire, Possess, and Transport Weapons, Their Components and the Ammunition Intended for Them

(1) Security guard merchants and internal security services for the performance of security guard activities, if their shareholders, officials of the administration (representation) of the commercial company, as well as employees who according to the work duties have access to weapons and ammunition meet the conditions of Section 14, Paragraph ten of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law (except for the prohibition referred to in Clause 12 thereof in relation to shareholders and managers) do not apply to them, have the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for carrying for work needs semi-automatic, repeating and single-shot short firearms of Category B classified for self-defence and their ammunition, as well as to use and apply the abovementioned firearms in accordance with the procedures laid down in the legal framework of security guard activities;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for carrying for work needs long smooth-bore firearms of Categories B and C classified for self-defence and their ammunition, as well as to use and apply the abovementioned firearms in accordance with the procedures laid down in the legal framework of security guard activities.

(2) Sports federations recognised in Latvia which are engaged in the types of sports that are linked to shooting (hereinafter - the sports federations) and their collective members, if the managers and employees of such sports federations and who according to the work duties have access to weapons and ammunition meet the conditions of Section 14, Paragraph ten of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law (except for the prohibition referred to in Clause 12 thereof in relation to managers) do not apply to them, have the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for operation firearms of Categories A, B, and C classified for sports and their ammunition, as well as the exchangeable essential components of such firearms;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for operation high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D classified for sports;

3) to acquire, possess, transport, and issue for use long firearms classified for sports and equipped with fire sound suppressors (silencers), except for fire sound suppressors (silencers) for long-rifled firearms with the calibre of up to 5.6 mm for which ammunition with rimfire primers is used, as well as if the shot is fired using ammunition with reduced quantity of gunpowder.

(3) Legal persons which have received a permission of a local government for the operation of a second or third category shooting gallery, if their shareholders, officials of the administration (representation) of the commercial company, as well as employees who according to the work duties have access to weapons and ammunition meet the conditions of Section 14, Paragraph ten of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law (except for the prohibition referred to in Clause 12 thereof in relation to shareholders and managers) do not apply to them, have the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for use firearms of Categories A, B, and C classified for sports and hunting and their ammunition, as well as the exchangeable essential components of such firearms;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for use long firearms classified for sports and hunting and equipped with fire sound suppressors (silencers), except for fire sound suppressors for long-rifled firearms with the calibre of up to 5.6 mm for which ammunition with rimfire primers is used, as well as if the shot is fired using ammunition with reduced quantity of gunpowder;

3) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for use high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D classified for sports.

(4) Legal persons which have received a permission for keeping wild animals in fenced areas that are in their ownership or possession, if their shareholders, officials of the administration (representation) of the commercial company, as well as employees who according to the work duties have access to weapons and ammunition meet the conditions of Section 14, Paragraph ten of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law (except for the prohibition referred to in Clause 12 thereof in relation to shareholders and managers) do not apply to them, have the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for use long firearms of Categories B and C classified for hunting and their ammunition;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for use long firearms classified for hunting and equipped with fire sound suppressors (silencers), except for fire sound suppressors (silencers) for long-rifled firearms with the calibre of up to 5.6 mm for which ammunition with rimfire primers is used, as well as if the shot is fired using ammunition with reduced quantity of gunpowder.

(5) Legal persons which are implementing their professional activity in the field of culture or in historical re-enactments, if their shareholders, officials of the administration (representation) of the commercial company, as well as employees who according to the work duties have access to weapons and ammunition meet the conditions of Section 14, Paragraph ten of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law (except for the prohibition referred to in Clause 12 thereof in relation to shareholders and managers) do not apply to them, have the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for use automatic salute weapons (acoustic weapons) of Category A, salute weapons (acoustic weapons) of Categories B and C classified for the field of culture and for historical re-enactments and the salute rounds intended for them;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for use gas weapons and signal weapons classified for self-defence and the salute rounds and pyrotechnic ammunition intended for them.

(6) Educational institutions founded by the State and local governments (except for the colleges within the system of the Ministry of the Interior and the National Defence Academy of Latvia) in which classes in the types of sports linked to shooting, youth guard or military training programmes are intended, if the heads of the educational institution, as well as the employees who according to work duties have access to weapons and ammunition meet the conditions of Section 14, Paragraph ten of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law (except for the prohibition referred to in Clause 12 thereof in relation to shareholders and managers) do not apply to them, have the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for operation firearms of Categories A, B, and C classified for sports and their ammunition, as well as the exchangeable essential components of such firearms;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and issue for operation high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D classified for sports;

3) to acquire, possess, transport, and issue for use fire sound suppressors (silencers) for long firearms classified for sports and long firearms classified for sports and equipped with them, except for fire sound suppressors(silencers) for long-rifled firearms with the calibre of up to 5.6 mm for which ammunition with rimfire primers is used, as well as if the shot is fired using ammunition with reduced quantity of gunpowder.

(7) State, local government, and private museums, if their managers, as well as employees who according to the work duties have access to weapons and ammunition meet the conditions of Section 14, Paragraph ten of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law (except for the prohibition referred to in Clause 12 thereof in relation to shareholders and managers) do not apply to them, have the following rights with the permission of the State Police:

1) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and display in exhibitions firearms of Categories A, B, and C classified for collection, as well as the exchangeable essential components of such firearms;

2) to acquire, possess, transport, convey, and display in exhibitions high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D classified for sports.

Section 16. Issuance of an Authorisation for a Weapon

(1) The State Police shall issue:

1) authorisations for the acquisition, possession, marketing, transportation of the firearms of Categories A, B, and C classified for sports, their exchangeable essential components, as well as ammunition in the territory of Latvia, the prior consent document for their transportation or conveyance in the European Union and countries of the European Economic Area, the European firearms pass for the transportation of weapons in the European Union and countries of the European Economic Area, for the transportation or conveyance from Latvia to the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries, for transportation or conveyance from the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries to Latvia, for movement through the territory of Latvia from one third country to another third country;

2) authorisations for the acquisition, possession, marketing, transportation of Category B and C firearms classified for hunting, their exchangeable essential components, as well as ammunition in the territory of Latvia, the prior consent document for transportation or conveyance in the European Union and countries of the European Economic Area, the European firearms pass for the transportation of weapons in the European Union and countries of the European Economic Area, for transportation or conveyance from Latvia to the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries, for transportation or conveyance from the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries to Latvia, for movement through the territory of Latvia from one third country to another third country;

3) authorisations for the acquisition, possession, marketing, transportation of high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D classified for sports and hunting in the territory of Latvia, the prior consent document for transportation or conveyance in the European Union and countries of the European Economic Area, for transportation or conveyance from Latvia to the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries, for transportation or conveyance from the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries to Latvia, for movement through the territory of Latvia from one third country to another third country;

4) authorisations for the acquisition, possession, marketing, transportation of Category A, B, and C firearms classified for collection and their exchangeable essential components, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D classified for collection in the territory of Latvia, the prior consent document for transportation or conveyance in the European Union and countries of the European Economic Area, for transportation or conveyance from Latvia to the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries, for transportation or conveyance from the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries to Latvia, for movement through the territory of Latvia from one third country to another third country;

5) authorisations for the acquisition, possession, carrying, marketing, transportation of Category B and C firearms classified for self-defence, as well as ammunition, the prior consent document for transportation or conveyance in the European Union and countries of the European Economic Area, for transportation or conveyance from Latvia to the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries, for transportation or conveyance from the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries to Latvia, for movement through the territory of Latvia from one third country to another third country;

6) authorisations for the acquisition, possession, and marketing of automatic salute weapons (acoustic weapons) of Category A, firearms of Categories B and C classified for the field of culture or for historical re-enactments, as well as ammunition, the prior consent document for transportation or conveyance in the European Union and countries of the European Economic Area, the European firearms pass for transportation of weapons in the European Union and countries of the European Economic Area, for transportation or conveyance from Latvia to the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries, for transportation or conveyance from the countries of the European Union and European Economic Area or the third countries to Latvia, for movement through the territory of Latvia from one third country to another third country.

(2) The State Police shall issue authorisations for the possession of a weapon, authorisations for the carrying of a weapon, authorisations for collections of weapons, European firearm passes for five years, but authorisations for hunting and sports use - for an indefinite period, ensuring periodic review of authorisations at least once in five years.

(3) The requirements for the receipt of authorisations and the procedures by which the State Police shall issue authorisations for weapons, their duplicates and repeat authorisations, review authorisations, extend their term of validity, suspend and cancel authorisations, as well as the requirements to be conformed to during the term of validity of authorisations shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(4) A State fee shall be paid for the issuance of an authorisation for a weapon of any kind, a repeat authorisation, a duplicate of an authorisation, the European firearm pass, the extension of the term of validity of an authorisation for a weapon and the European firearm pass. The amount of the State fee, relief, and payment procedures shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 17. Authorisation for the Acquisition of a Weapon

(1) An authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon shall be valid for three months from the day when the State Police takes the decision to issue the authorisation. In accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law, the authorisation shall give the right:

1) to acquire the firearm indicated in the authorisation, its ammunition, the exchangeable essential components of the firearm, and a high-energy pneumatic weapon from a weapons dealer or other persons;

2) to possess and transport the firearm indicated in the authorisation, its ammunition, the exchangeable essential components of the firearm, and a high-energy pneumatic weapon until their registration thereof with the State Police;

3) for the sports federation to acquire weapons from the State or local government authority referred to in Section 94, Paragraph one of this Law, to possess and transport such weapons, their ammunition, and the exchangeable essential components of firearms until their registration with the State Police.

(2) The authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon shall not be required if the person who holds:

1) the authorisation for the possession of a weapon for a long smooth-bore firearm of Category B or C classified for hunting acquires a long smooth-bore firearm classified for hunting and registered in Latvia, regardless of the category, and the exchangeable essential component thereof, or a high-energy pneumatic weapon of Category D classified for hunting;

2) the authorisation for the possession of a weapon for a long-rifled firearm of Category B or C classified for hunting acquires a firearm classified for hunting and registered in Latvia, regardless of the category, and the exchangeable essential component thereof, or a high-energy pneumatic weapon of Category D classified for hunting;

3) the authorisation for the possession of a weapon for a high-energy pneumatic weapon of Category D classified for hunting acquires a high-energy pneumatic weapon classified for hunting and registered in Latvia or a long smooth-bore firearm classified for hunting, regardless of the category;

4) the authorisation for the possession of a weapon for a firearm classified for sports or a high-energy pneumatic weapon acquires a firearm of the same category and use registered in Latvia and the exchangeable essential component thereof, or a high-energy pneumatic weapon of Category D;

5) the authorisation for the possession or carrying of a weapon for a firearm of Category B or C classified for self-defence acquires a firearm classified for self-defence and registered in Latvia, regardless of the category;

6) the authorisation for the collection of weapons for weapons classified as collection weapons acquires in Latvia a weapon classified as a collection weapon or the exchangeable essential component thereof.

[20 January 2022]

Section 18. Authorisation for the Possession of a Weapon

(1) An authorisation for the possession of a weapon shall give the following rights to the owner of the weapon:

1) to possess the firearm indicated in the authorisation, its exchangeable essential components, high-energy pneumatic weapon at the address indicated in the authorisation: for a natural person - at his or her declared place of residence, the additional address and immovable property, as well as in the joint property (apartment, residential house) indicated in the declaration, but for a legal person - at a specially equipped weapons depository;

2) to transport the firearm indicated in the authorisation, its exchangeable essential components, as well as the high-energy pneumatic weapon;

3) to acquire the ammunition intended for the weapon indicated in the authorisation and to possess it;

4) to acquire gunpowder for a firearm classified for hunting or sports and to possess it;

5) to acquire the fire sound suppressor (silencer) intended for a long-rifled firearm indicated in the authorisation and classified for hunting or sports and to possess, as well as transport it;

6) to use and apply the firearm indicated in the authorisation, its exchangeable essential components, and the high-energy pneumatic weapon according to its type of use in the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law or other laws and regulations governing the handling of weapons.

(2) A citizen of a European Union Member State and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area who has an authorisation for the possession of a firearm issued by the competent authority of his or her country or the European firearm pass, as well as a citizen of another foreign country who has an authorisation for the possession of a firearm issued by the competent authority of his or her country has the right to use in hunting the hunting firearms and their ammunition, as well as the exchangeable essential components of such firearms and the fire sound suppressor (silencer) intended for them that have been registered for such legal person which has received an authorisation for holding wild animals in fenced areas that are in its ownership or possession.

Section 19. Authorisation for the Carrying of a Weapon

(1) An authorisation for the carrying of a weapon shall be issued to natural persons for the carrying of a short self-defence firearms of Category B.

(2) The authorisation for the carrying of a weapon shall give a natural person the following rights:

1) to possess a firearm at the declared place of residence of the owner of the weapon indicated in the authorisation, the additional address and immovable property, as well as the joint property (apartment, residential house) indicated in the declaration;

2) to transport the short self-defence firearm of Category B indicated in the authorisation;

3) to acquire the industrially manufactured ammunition intended for the short self-defence firearm of Category B indicated in the authorisation and to possess it;

4) to use and apply the short self-defence firearm of Category B in the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law or other laws and regulations.

(3) The State Police shall issue the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon to security guard employees for work needs if the security guard merchant or the internal security service which is the employer of the relevant security guard employee has registered firearms of Categories B and C classified for self-defence to be used for work needs. The authorisation for the carrying of a weapon for work needs shall give the security guard employees the right to receive and carry a self-defence firearm registered for the security guard merchant or the internal security service for work needs for the fulfilment of work duties, as well as to use and apply it in the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law or other laws and regulations governing the activity of security guard.

Section 20. Authorisation for the Marketing of a Weapon

(1) The authorisation for the marketing of a weapon shall be valid for three months from the day when the State Police takes the decision to issue the authorisation. In accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law, the authorisation shall give the right:

1) to market the firearm indicated the authorisation, its ammunition, the exchangeable essential components of the firearm, and a high-energy pneumatic weapon to a weapons dealer or other persons;

2) to transfer to a weapons dealer for deactivation the firearm indicated in the authorisation, the exchangeable essential components of the firearm, and a high-energy pneumatic weapon;

3) to possess and transport the firearm indicated in the authorisation, its ammunition, the exchangeable essential components of the firearm, and a high-energy pneumatic weapon until marketing of the firearm, the exchangeable essential components of the firearm, and the high-energy pneumatic weapon.

(2) The authorisation for the marketing of a weapon shall not be required if the person markets the following weapons registered in Latvia:

1) a long smooth-bore firearm of Category B or C classified for hunting and the exchangeable essential components thereof to a person who holds the authorisation for the acquisition or possession of a weapon for a weapon classified for hunting, regardless of the category;

2) a long-rifled firearm of Category B or C classified for hunting and the exchangeable essential components thereof to a person who holds the authorisation for the acquisition or possession of a weapon for a long-rifled firearm classified for hunting, regardless of the category;

3) a high-energy pneumatic weapon of Category D classified for hunting to a person who holds the authorisation for the acquisition or possession of a weapon for a weapon classified for hunting, regardless of the category;

4) a firearm classified for sports or a high-energy pneumatic weapon to a person who holds the authorisation for the acquisition or possession of a weapon for a firearm of the same category and use or a high-energy pneumatic weapon of Category D;

5) a firearm of Category B or C classified for self-defence to a person who holds the authorisation for the possession, carrying, or acquisition of a weapon for a firearm classified for self-defence, regardless of the category;

6) a firearm classified as a collection weapon to a person who holds the authorisation for the acquisition or collection of a weapon for a weapon classified as a collection weapon.

[20 January 2022]

Section 21. Authorisation for the Collection of Weapons

An authorisation for the collection of weapons shall give the right to possess the firearms indicated therein, their essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons at the address indicated in the authorisation, as well as to transport and exhibit them.

Section 22. European Firearm Pass

The European firearm pass shall give the right to import firearms of Categories A, B, and C and their exchangeable essential components into Latvia and export them from Latvia in order to travel with firearms, their exchangeable essential components in European Union Member States and countries of the European Economic Area and to use them according to the classified type of use in hunting, practice shooting, and shooting sports competitions, as well as for professional activity in the field of culture or for historical re-enactments.

Section 23. Prohibitions on the Issuance of an Authorisation for a Weapon

It is prohibited to issue an authorisation for the acquisition, an authorisation for the possession, an authorisation for the carrying of a firearm or high-energy pneumatic weapon and an authorisation for the collection of weapons to a natural person:

1) who has been convicted of committing a criminal offence - prior to extinguishing or removal of conviction;

2) who is an accused in criminal proceedings;

3) who has been released from criminal liability in accordance with Section 58 of The Criminal Law - while a year after entry into effect of the relevant decision has not elapsed;

4) who has been conditionally released from criminal liability in accordance with Section 58.¹ of The Criminal Law - before the end of the probation period;

5) who has been released from serving the sentence in accordance with Section 59 of The Criminal Law - while a year after entry into effect of the ruling on the release from serving the sentence has not passed;

6) who has been recognised as a suspect in committing a crime in criminal proceedings;

7) who has been administratively sanctioned for violations committed under the influence of alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances, for refusal to submit to a medical test for alcohol concentration, as well as a test for narcotic or other intoxicating substances, for petty hooliganism, for intentional infliction of insignificant bodily harm, or for malicious non-compliance with lawful orders or requests of a police employee, a border guard, a civil guard, or a soldier - while a year has not passed since the enforcement of the administrative sanction;

8) whose right of acquisition, possession, or carrying of weapons or right to perform commercial activities in the field of the handling of weapons has been restricted (temporarily withdrawn) for violations in the field of the handling of weapons and ammunition - before the end of the term of restriction of rights;

9) regarding whom the State Police has substantiated information that the person may misuse a weapon, endanger himself or herself, public order or safety;

10) regarding whom the State Police or State security institutions have information attesting to the belonging of such person to a prohibited military or armed grouping, association, foundation, political party, or association of political parties;

11) who has been diagnosed with mental disorders, addiction to alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic, or toxic substances, or behavioural problems giving the grounds for doubting his or her ability to comply with the conditions for the handling of weapons;

12) who is not able to use a firearm or a high-energy pneumatic weapon due to physical deficiencies;

13) who does not have a declared (registered) place of residence in Latvia;

14) at the address indicated by which for the possession of a weapon the conditions for the possession of a weapon specified in the laws and regulations governing the handling of weapons have not been ensured;

15) who has mentioned unjustified reasons for the acquisition of a weapon;

16) who does not meet the conditions of Section 14 of this Law.

[20 January 2022]

Section 24. Cancellation of Authorisations for a Weapon, Suspension of Their Operation and Renewal of Operation

(1) The State Police shall cancel authorisations for a weapon or shall not extend their term of validity if:

1) the prohibitions referred to in Section 23, Clauses 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of this Law apply to the person;

2) the person does not conform to the medical contraindications referred to in Section 27, Paragraph one of this Law;

3) the person has been deprived of the hunting rights or his or her hunting licence has been recognised as invalid (authorisation for the acquisition of a hunting firearm and authorisation for the possession of a hunting firearm);

4) false information has been provided or invalid documents have been submitted for the receipt of the authorisation;

5) the natural person has been administratively sanctioned for the violation of the provisions for the handling of magazines with the capacity of more than 10 rounds intended for long firearms of Category A, as well as firearm magazines with the capacity of more than 20 rounds intended for short firearms of Category A;

6) the legal person for whom weapons are registered is liquidated or its operation is suspended;

7) the natural or legal person for whom firearms or high-energy pneumatic weapons are registered refuses to present the weapons, ammunition, and the authorisation for the relevant weapon to an official of a State institution the competence of which includes control of the handling of weapons, avoids or otherwise hinders the official of the State Police from inspecting the conditions of possession of firearms, ammunition, and their components or high-energy pneumatic weapons at the address indicated in the authorisation for weapons;

8) it is determined by a court ruling;

9) the State or local government authority referred to in Section 94, Paragraph one of this Law informs the State Police that the legal grounds for transferring the weapons in the ownership of such institution for use to a sports federation has ceased to exist;

10) the owner of the weapon, upon transferring a firearm to the person referred to in Section 14, Paragraph two of this Law, has not ensured the conformity with the safety requirements and the requirements of the laws and regulations governing hunting.

(2) The State Police shall suspend the operation of an authorisation for a weapon to a person who has been recognised as a suspect in committing an offence in criminal proceedings or to a person who has been held criminally liable in criminal proceedings for committing a criminal offence (accused).

(3) If in relation to a person for whom the operation of an authorisation for a weapon has been suspended the decision to terminate criminal proceedings on exonerating grounds is taken or the court judgment of acquittal enters into effect, the State Police shall, on the basis of a submission of the person, renew the operation of the authorisation and return the authorisation if other prohibitions for the issuance of the authorisation for a weapon are not established. If the term of validity of the authorisation for a weapon has expired, a new authorisation shall be issued.

(4) If the decision to suspend the operation of authorisations for hunting, sports, collection and self-defence firearms which has been taken by the Administration of the Maintenance Guarantee Fund in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Maintenance Guarantee Fund Law has been received, the State Police shall make a relevant entry in the Register of Weapons.

(5) If the Administration of the Maintenance Guarantee Fund has decided to renew the operation of authorisations for hunting, sports, collection and self-defence firearms, the State Police shall, on the basis of a submission of the person, make a relevant entry in the Register of Weapons and return the authorisation if other prohibitions for the issuance of the authorisation for a weapon are not established. If the term of validity of the authorisation for a weapon has expired, a new authorisation shall be issued.

(6) Paragraphs two and three of this Section shall also be applicable in relation to authorisations for a weapon of a legal person in cases when employees of the legal person who according to the work duties have access to weapons and ammunition, as well as shareholders, officials of the administration (representation) of a commercial company, or heads in relation to whom restrictions are provided for in the law, have been recognised as a suspect or accused in criminal proceedings.

(7) The State Police shall implement exchange of information with the competent authorities of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area regarding the refused, suspended, or cancelled authorisations for weapons.

Section 25. Appeal of a Decision

(1) A natural and legal person may contest and appeal the decision to refuse to issue an authorisation for a weapon, its exchangeable essential components or a high-energy pneumatic weapon, the decision to suspend the operation of an authorisation, or the decision to cancel an authorisation in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law.

(2) Contesting and appeal of the decision to suspend the operation of an authorisation or decision to cancel an authorisation shall not suspend its operation.

Section 26. Transfer of Authorisations for Weapons, Weapons and Their Exchangeable Essential Components and Ammunition to the State Police

(1) If an authorisation for a firearm or high-energy pneumatic weapon is cancelled, its operation is suspended, or the term of validity of an authorisation for a weapon has not been extended, the weapon, ammunition, gunpowder, and the exchangeable essential components of the firearm shall be transferred to the State Police within five working days after receipt of the relevant notification.

(2) If the decision to suspend an authorisation for a hunting, sports, collection, and self-defence firearm has been taken by the Administration of the Maintenance Guarantee Fund, the firearm, ammunition, gunpowder, and the exchangeable essential components of the firearm shall be transferred to the State Police within five working days after receipt of the relevant notification.

(3) Upon transferring the objects referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, the person shall also transfer the relevant authorisation for the weapon to the State Police.

Chapter V
Health and Qualification Examinations, Practical Examination in Shooting with Long-Rifled Hunting Firearm

Section 27. Health Examination for a Person who Possesses (Carries) Weapons and Performs Work Involving Weapons

(1) A health examination shall be performed to assess the conformity of the health condition of a natural person to the possession (carrying) of weapons or for work with weapons and to establish whether mental disorders, addiction to alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic, or toxic substances, behavioural problems, physical deficiencies due to which the person is unable to use a firearm or high-energy pneumatic weapon (hereinafter - the medical contraindications) have been diagnosed for the person.

(2) The primary health examination shall be performed:

1) to natural persons who wish to receive an authorisation for a weapon or a certificate of a shooting instructor or shooting coach;

2) to the shareholders and managers of such legal persons which wish to receive an authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon and which have received an authorisation for the possession of a weapon or an authorisation for the collection of weapons, as well as the employees of the abovementioned legal persons who according to work duties have access to weapons, ammunition, or their components;

3) to the shareholders and managers of such merchants which wish to receive or have received a special permit (licence) for the commercial activity involving weapons, ammunition, or special means, as well as the employees of such merchants who according to work duties have access to weapons, ammunition and their components, or special means.

(3) The periodic health examination to persons who have received the authorisation for the possession of a weapon, the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon, or the authorisation for the collection of weapons, the authorisation for the work with weapons or the certificate of a shooting instructor or shooting coach shall be performed after every one to five years depending on the health condition of the person.

(4) A medical practitioner or the State Police is entitled to send the persons referred to in Paragraph three of this Section to an early health examination if reasonable suspicions have arisen that the relevant person has the medical contraindications for the possession (carrying) of weapons or for work with weapons.

(5) A medical treatment institution shall enter the information regarding the conformity of the health condition of the person for the possession (carrying) of weapons or for work with weapons in the Register of Weapons and in the Register of Licences and Certificates.

(6) The Cabinet shall determine:

1) the medical contraindications for the possession (carrying) of weapons and for work with weapons, the procedures by which health examinations shall be performed, as well as the procedures by which the time limit for the regular health examination shall be determined;

2) the requirements and procedures by which a person shall be sent to an early health examination;

3) the amount of information and the procedures by which medical treatment institutions shall include information regarding the suitability of the health condition of a person for the possession (carrying) of weapons and for work with weapons in the Register of Weapons and in the Register of Licences and Certificates.

(7) A person may contest the decision on existence of the medical contraindications within a month from the day of its entry into effect by submitting the relevant submission to the Health Inspectorate. A decision of the Health Inspectorate may be appealed to a court within a month in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law.

(8) The Health Inspectorate shall inform the medical treatment institution whose decision has been contested to the Health Inspectorate of the final decision taken in relation to the medical contraindications of the person.

Section 28. Qualification Examination

(1) The qualification examination on the procedures for the handling of weapons and ammunition and the ability to handle a weapon shall be taken by the natural persons specified in Paragraph two of this Section. The content and the procedures for the course of a qualification examination shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(2) The qualification examination on the procedures for the handling of weapons and ammunition and the ability to handle a weapon shall be taken by:

1) natural persons before the first acquisition of a firearm (except for a firearm classified for hunting) or a high-energy pneumatic weapon (except for a high-energy pneumatic weapon classified for hunting);

2) natural persons for whom the authorisation for the possession or the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon (except for a firearm classified for hunting) has been cancelled for the violations of the provisions for the acquisition, registration, possession, carrying, transportation, or marketing of a weapon or ammunition;

3) natural persons who have access to weapons and ammunition in accordance with the activities of the legal person (except for natural persons who have access to salute weapons (acoustic weapons) for activities in the field of culture or for historical re-enactments), before access is granted;

4) an individual merchant and the officials and employees of the merchant, the officials and employees of the weapons dealer and the legal person who, according to work duties, have access to weapons, their ammunition and components, before access is granted.

(3) A State fee shall be paid for the taking of a qualification examination, as well as for the issuance of a duplicate of the qualification examination certificate. The amount of the State fee and its payment procedures shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(4) The State Police shall register the information on the persons who have passed the qualification examination referred to in Paragraph two of this Section in the Register of Licences and Certificates.

[20 January 2022]

Section 29. Practical Examination in Shooting with a Long-Rifled Hunting Firearm

(1) Before the first acquisition of a long-rifled hunting firearm, a natural person shall take a practical examination in shooting with a long-rifled hunting firearm at the State Forest Service.

(2) The State Forest Service shall register information regarding the persons who have passed the practical examination referred to in Paragraph one of this Section in the Register of Licences and Certificates.

Chapter VI
Personal Award Weapon

Section 30. Granting of a Personal Award Weapon

(1) The President and the Prime Minister have the right to grant a personal award weapon to a natural person for meritorious service for the benefit of Latvia in conformity with the conditions of Section 14 of this Law.

(2) The Minister for Defence, the Minister for the Interior, the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Finance, the head of the State security institution, and the Director of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau have the right to award employees with personal award weapons for the exemplary fulfilment of service or work duties in compliance with the conditions of Section 14 of this Law.

(3) Personal award weapons may be weapons of Categories B, C, and D and non-firearm weapons.

(4) Before granting a personal award - rifled firearm - the authorities or persons referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section shall ensure firing of test shots from the relevant firearm at the State Police.

(5) If the institutions and persons referred to in Paragraph two of this Section wish to present a deactivated weapon as an award, the institutions represented by such institutions or persons are entitled to deactivate the weapon in accordance with the requirements of Regulation 2015/2403 in order to receive a certification issued by the State Police on the deactivation of the relevant weapon.

[6 May 2021]

Section 31. Notification Obligation and Obligation to Register a Personal Award Weapon

(1) The authorities or persons referred to in Section 30, Paragraphs one and two of this Law shall, within five working days after taking of the decision, inform the State Police of the awarding of a Category B, C, or D weapon to a person.

(2) The awarded person has an obligation, within 10 working days after awarding, to register the personal award - a Category B, C, or D weapon - with the State Police and to receive the relevant authorisation for the weapon.

(3) The State Police shall issue the authorisation for the possession of a weapon or the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon to the owner of the personal award weapon.

Chapter VII
Collections of Weapons and Ammunition

Section 32. Collections of Weapons of the State, Local Government, and Private Museums

(1) The State, local government, and private museums may display or exhibit collections of firearms of Categories A, B, and C, their essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D outside the place indicated in the authorisation for the collection of weapons where the collection is possessed and showed or exhibited at another museum upon receipt of an authorisation for the transportation or conveyance at the State Police.

(2) The State, local government, and private museums shall ensure armed security guards for the transportation of a collection of firearms fit for shooting, their essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons in the territory of Latvia, using employees who have the security guard certificate or concluding the relevant contract with a security guard merchant if the total number of the firearms, their essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons to be transported is more than 10 units.

(3) The requirements for a depository and exhibition room of a collection of firearms, their essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons of the State, local government, and private museums shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 33. Collection of Firearms of a Natural Person

(1) A citizen of Latvia, a citizen of another European Union Member State, and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area, as well as a person who has received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia and who has attained 21 years of age, if the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law (except for the prohibition referred to in Clause 12) do not apply thereto, have the right, with the permission of the State Police, to create a collection of firearms of Categories A, B, and C fit for shooting and classified for collection, their exchangeable essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D.

(2) The persons referred to in Paragraph one of this Section are prohibited from organising public exhibitions or shows of the collection of firearms of Categories A, B, and C fit for shooting, their exchangeable essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D, as well as to use and apply the firearms and their exchangeable essential components which are in the collection.

(3) Natural persons shall ensure armed security guards for the transportation of a collection of firearms fit for shooting, their essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons in the territory of Latvia by concluding a relevant contract with a security guard merchant if the total number of the firearms, their essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons to be transported is more than 10 units.

(4) The requirements for the depository of a collection of firearms, their essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons of a natural person, as well as the requirements for the creation and maintenance of the register of a firearm collection shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 34. Official State Collections of Weapons and Ammunition

(1) The State Police shall create an official State collection of weapons and ammunition for service use.

(2) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which:

1) a collection of weapons for the needs of comparative studies, including self-made, unlawfully converted, and prohibited weapons, shall be created;

2) a control collection of such bullets and shell cases of rifled firearms registered in Latvia (except for the firearms of the National Armed Forces) the calibre of which is not more than 12.7 millimetres (0.5 inches) shall be created;

3) a collection of samples of firearms classified and not classified in Latvia, their components and ammunition shall be created.

(3) The National Armed Forces and the Latvian War Museum shall create collections of weapons classified and not classified in Latvia and their components, ammunition, and special means, as well as handle them in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the operation of such authorities.

Chapter VIII
Special Conditions for the Handling of Weapons of Categories A, B, C, and D, Their Essential Components, and Ammunition for Natural Persons

Section 35. Acquisition, Registration, Possession, Transportation, and Conveyance of Weapons, Their Essential Components, and Ammunition

(1) A natural person shall, within five working days after acquisition or importing of a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, and a high-energy pneumatic weapon into Latvia, register it with the State Police.

(2) A natural person shall possess the firearm indicated in the authorisation for a weapon, its exchangeable essential components, ammunition and its components, as well as the high-energy pneumatic weapon at the address indicated in the authorisation in a locked metal safe, metal cabinet (metal box) or in a safe of another material industrially manufactured specially for the possession of a firearm, ensuring such conditions for possession which prevent accidental falling of the weapon, its exchangeable essential components, ammunition and its components into the hands of unauthorised persons.

(3) A natural person has the right to transfer firearms, their exchangeable essential components, ammunition and gunpowder, high-energy pneumatic weapons for temporary possession at weapons depositories to legal persons who have received the authorisation for the possession of weapons, or transfer firearms, their exchangeable essential components, ammunition and gunpowder, high-energy pneumatic weapons for temporary possession to the State Police for a fee according to the price list of paid services provided by the State Police.

(4) A natural person whom the firearms or high-energy pneumatic weapons have been registered for hunting or sports, upon implementing the activities related to hunting or sports, has the right to temporarily possess the firearm, its exchangeable essential components and ammunition outside the place of possession indicated in the authorisation for the possession, ensuring such conditions for possession which prevent any of the abovementioned objects from being lost or acquired by another person.

(5) A natural person whom the firearms have been registered for hunting or sports has the right to acquire industrially manufactured components of rounds appropriate for the assembly of rounds for hunting and sports firearms and to possess them at the place of possession of the firearm indicated in the authorisation for the possession of firearms.

(6) A natural person whom the firearms have been registered for hunting or sports has the right, under the authorisation for the possession of weapons issued by the State Police, to acquire up to three kilograms of gunpowder, to transport it after acquisition to the place of possession, and to possess at the place of possession of the firearm indicated in the authorisation for the possession of weapons in a locked metal safe, metal cabinet (metal box) or in a safe of another material industrially manufactured specially for the possession of a firearm.

(7) A natural person whom firearms of Category A have been registered for sports has the right, under the authorisation for the possession of weapons issued by the State Police, to acquire magazines for long-rifled firearms of Category A with the capacity of more than 10 rounds, as well as magazines for short firearms of Category A with the capacity of more than 20 rounds.

(8) The conditions and procedures by which natural persons shall acquire, register, possess, transport, and convey a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, ammunition, and a high-energy pneumatic weapon shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 36. Carrying of Weapons and Ammunition

(1) A natural person to whom the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon has been issued for short firearms of Category B is prohibited from:

1) carrying more than two firearms and more than 40 rounds intended for each firearm at the same time;

2) carrying a pistol with a rounds in the chamber;

3) carrying more than one loaded spare magazine for each pistol or one loaded reserve cylinder for each revolver at the same time.

(2) A natural person to whom the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon has been issued shall carry the short firearm and ammunition indicated therein in a special pocked (holster) so that the weapon could not fall out and does not attract the attention of other persons, ensuring that such weapon does no accidentally fall into hands of an unauthorised person. While carrying the firearm and its ammunition, the relevant authorisation for the carrying of a weapon must carried therewith.

(3) If, while carrying a firearm and its ammunition, the owner of the weapon must use a temporary accommodation, the firearm and ammunition shall be possessed in a locked safe or a metal cabinet (metal box), ensuring such conditions for possession which prevent accidental falling of the weapon or ammunition into hands of unauthorised persons, or shall be transferred, in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law, into possession at a depository of weapons of a legal person for the period of temporary accommodation.

(4) While carrying a firearm, it may be withdrawn from the special pocket (holster) and prepared for firing if there are grounds to believe that the conditions for the use or application of a firearm specified in this Law will occur or have occurred in the particular situation.

Section 37. Repair of Weapons

(1) In order to replace the essential components of a firearm, a natural person shall transfer it to a weapons dealer who has received a special permit (licence) for the manufacturing or repair of firearms.

(2) The conditions and procedures by which natural persons shall transfer a firearm or high-energy pneumatic weapon for repair shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 38. Marketing of Weapons, Ammunition and Fire Sound Suppressors (Silencers)

(1) A natural person has the right to market ammunition for industrially manufactured self-defence, hunting, or sports firearms in the possession thereof to other natural persons who hold the authorisation for the possession or carrying of the relevant firearms, and also to market an industrially manufactured fire sound suppressor (silencer) in the possession thereof for a registered long-barrel hunting or sports firearm to other persons who hold the authorisation for the possession of a weapon for a long-barrel hunting or sports firearm if such marketing is not of a commercial nature.

(2) The conditions and procedures by which natural persons shall market a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, as well as a high-energy pneumatic weapon and ammunition shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[20 January 2022]

Section 39. Inheriting and Giving as a Gift of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition

(1) Weapons, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition which are in the ownership of persons shall be inherited in accordance with the Civil Law and this Law.

(2) Only such person who has the authorisation for the acquisition of the relevant weapons may inherit or receive as a gift the firearms, their exchangeable essential components, ammunition, or high-energy pneumatic weapons owned by persons. The firearms and high-energy pneumatic weapons inherited or received as a gift shall be registered with the State Police within five working days from the day of inheritance or receiving the weapon as a gift.

(3) If the heir to the firearm, its exchangeable essential components, ammunition, or the high-energy pneumatic weapon cannot or does not wish to receive the authorisation for the acquisition of the relevant weapon, the firearm, its exchangeable essential components, ammunition, or the high-energy pneumatic weapon shall be marketed, upon a submission of the heir, for his or her benefit with the intermediation of such weapons dealer who has received the special permit (licence) for the marketing of firearms, high-energy pneumatic weapons, and ammunition, or re-registered by the State Police to another person who has received the authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon, or it shall be deactivated or destroyed.

Chapter IX
Special Conditions for the Handling of Weapons of Categories A, B, C, and D, Their Components, and Ammunition for Legal Persons

Section 40. Acquisition and Registration of Weapons and Ammunition

(1) Before the receipt of the authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon, the head of a legal person shall ensure the arrangement of a weapons depository and appoint the person responsible for the acquisition, possession, recording, and issuance of weapons and ammunition.

(2) The legal person shall, within five working days after acquisition of a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, as well as a high-energy pneumatic weapon or within five working days after importing of the relevant firearm into Latvia, register it with the State Police.

(3) The conditions and procedures by which legal persons shall acquire and register a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, as well as a high-energy pneumatic weapon shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 41. Possession, Transportation, and Conveyance of Weapons and Ammunition

(1) A legal person shall possess the firearm, its exchangeable essential components, ammunition, and the high-energy pneumatic weapon indicated in the authorisation for a weapon at the address indicated in the authorisation for a weapon in a weapons depository arranged in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations, ensuring such conditions for possession which prevent the accidental falling of the weapon, its exchangeable essential components, and ammunition into hands of unauthorised persons.

(2) Sports federations and their collective members, as well as legal persons who have received the authorisation for holding wild animals in the fenced areas that are in their ownership or possession have the right, by informing the State Police, to accept personal firearms of athletes and hunters, their exchangeable essential components, ammunition, and high-energy pneumatic weapons into temporary possession, if they have arranged a weapons depository and received the authorisation for the possession of weapons issued by the State Police.

(3) The conditions and procedures by which legal persons shall accept into possession, possess, transport, and convey a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, ammunition, and a high-energy pneumatic weapon, as well as the requirements for weapons depositories shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 42. Issuance of Weapons and Ammunition for Work Needs, Sports, Hunting, Activities in the Field of Culture, and Historical Re-enactments

(1) A security guard merchant and an internal security service has the right to issue the firearms and ammunition indicated in the authorisation for the possession of weapons to security guard employees for the fulfilment of work duties, if they have received the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon for work needs. The firearm and ammunition for work needs shall be issued only for the period of fulfilment of work duties.

(2) The sports federations, their collective members, and legal persons which have received an authorisation for the operation of a shooting gallery have the right to issue the firearms, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition registered with the State Police for utilisation in practice shooting and shooting sports competition under supervision of a certified coach or instructor.

(3) Legal persons who have received the authorisation for holding wild animals in fenced areas that are in their ownership or possession have the right to issue the hunting firearms, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, ensuring conformity with the regulations for the handling of a weapon and ammunition, to a natural person who has an authorisation issued by the competent authority for the possession of a hunting firearm of the relevant category in order to use such hunting firearm in activities considered equivalent to hunting in fenced areas and in hunting outside them. An employee of the legal person which issued the hunting firearm, who has received an authorisation for work with weapons and supervises the conformity with the laws and regulations governing the handling of a weapon and ammunition, shall participate in such hunting or in activities considered equivalent to hunting.

(4) Legal persons have the right to issue the firearms, ammunition, and high-energy pneumatic weapons intended for temporary incapacitation, paralysing, or killing of animals for the fulfilment of work duties to such employees who have the authorisation for the possession of a weapon or authorisation for the carrying of a weapon issued by the State Police. These conditions shall also apply to the performers of individual work.

(5) Legal persons which are implementing their professional activity in the field of culture have the right to issue the salute weapons (acoustic weapons) and ammunition, gas weapons and signal weapons and the salute rounds intended for them, as well as the pyrotechnic signalling ammunition to employees for the fulfilment of work duties under supervision of the responsible person specified by the legal person. The abovementioned weapons and ammunition for work needs shall be issued only for the period of the fulfilment of work duties.

(6) Associations which are implementing historical re-enactments have the right to issue the salute weapons (acoustic weapons) and ammunition, gas weapons and signal weapons and the salute rounds intended for them, as well as the pyrotechnic signalling ammunition to members only for training period of historical re-enactments or for the period of events under supervision of the responsible person appointed by the association.

(7) The conditions and procedures by which the persons referred to in this Section shall issue weapons, their components, and ammunition to natural persons for work needs, sports and hunting, for professional activities in the field of culture, and for historical re-enactments shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 43. Transfer of Firearms for Repair

(1) In order to change the essential components of a firearm, a legal person shall transfer it to a weapons dealer which has received the special permit (licence) for the repair of firearms.

(2) The conditions and procedures by which legal persons shall transfer a firearm for repair shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 44. Marketing of Weapons and Ammunition

The conditions and procedures by which legal persons shall market a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, ammunition, and a high-energy pneumatic weapon shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 45. Rights of Legal Persons to Specify Restrictions on Carrying Weapons and Special Means in Their Premises or Territory

(1) Legal persons have the right, after coordination with the State Police, to specify restrictions for natural persons on carrying firearms in the premises or territory of the legal person, to arrange weapons depositories, and to accept firearms and ammunition for possession during a visit to the abovementioned places, if the employees who according to work duties are responsible for the possession of firearms and ammunition meet the conditions of Section 14, Paragraph ten of this Law, and the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law do not apply thereto, and it is certified by the State Police.

(2) Legal persons have the right, without coordination with the State Police, to specify restrictions for natural persons on the carrying of gas weapons and signal weapons, non-firearm weapons and special means in the premises or territory of the legal person, imposing an obligation on natural persons to transfer the gas weapons and signal weapons, non-firearm weapons and special means for the period of visit to the employee of the legal person who according to work duties is responsible for the possession of gas weapons and signal weapons, non-firearm weapons and special means. The depository of gas weapons and signal weapons, non-firearm weapons and special means of the legal person must be arranged so that it would prevent the accidental falling of a weapon, its essential components, and ammunition into hands of unauthorised persons.

Chapter X
Import into and Export from Latvia of Weapons of Categories A, B, C, and D, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition, as well as Their Acquisition and Marketing in the European Union Member States or Countries of the European Economic Area, or Third Countries

Section 46. Temporary Export of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition from Latvia to the European Union Member States and Countries of the European Economic Area

(1) Persons may transport and convey the following to another European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area:

1) firearms of Category A classified for sports and entered in the European firearm pass and their exchangeable essential components if there is a justification for the import of weapons into the relevant country of destination for practice shooting or shooting in sports competitions, as well as ammunition and magazines with the capacity of more than 10 rounds for long-rifled firearms of Category A, or ammunition and magazines with the capacity of more than 20 rounds for short firearms of Category A, if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country;

2) automatic salute weapons (acoustic weapons) of Category A and salute rounds if a prior consent document of the competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area for the transportation or conveyance of firearms and ammunition has been received and there is a permission of the State Police for the transportation or conveyance of firearms and if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country;

3) firearms of Category B classified for sports and entered in the European firearm pass, their exchangeable essential components if there is a justification for the import of weapons into the relevant country of destination for practice shooting or shooting in sports competitions, as well as ammunition of such firearms, if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country;

4) firearms of Category B classified for hunting, their exchangeable essential components and rounds if a prior consent document of the competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area for the transportation or conveyance of firearms and ammunition has been received and there is a permit of the State Police for the transportation or conveyance of firearms, and if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country;

5) salute weapons (acoustic weapons) of Category B and salute rounds if a prior consent document of the competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area for the transportation or conveyance of firearms and ammunition has been received and there is a permit of the State Police for the transportation or conveyance of firearms, and if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country;

6) firearms of Category C classified for sports and hunting and entered in the European firearm pass and their exchangeable essential components if there is a justification for the import of weapons into the relevant country of destination according to their type of use for practice shooting or shooting in sports competitions and hunting, as well as the ammunition of such firearms, if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country;

7) salute weapons (acoustic weapons) of Category C entered in the European firearm pass if there is a justification for the import of weapons into the relevant country of destination for their use for professional activities in the field of culture or historical re-enactments, as well as the salute rounds of such weapons, if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country;

8) high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and ammunition if a prior consent document of the competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area for the transportation or conveyance of firearms and ammunition has been received and there is a permission of the State Police for the transportation or conveyance of firearms and if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country.

(2) The State Police shall inform the relevant competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area of each authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of firearms issued in accordance with the procedures laid down in Paragraph one of this Section.

Section 47. Temporary Export of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition from Latvia to Third Countries

Persons may temporarily export firearms of Categories A, B, and C classified for sports and hunting, their exchangeable essential components, and rounds, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and ammunition from Latvia to a third country if the relevant permission of the competent authority of the third country for the import of the abovementioned weapons, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition has been received and there is a permission of the State Police for the transportation or conveyance of weapons, and if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country.

Section 48. Export of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition from Latvia to the European Union Member States and Countries of the European Economic Area, as well as to the Third Countries for Permanent Possession or Carrying

Natural persons who have received a permanent residence permit or citizenship of another European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area, or a third country may export firearms classified for hunting, sports, self-defence, or collection, their exchangeable essential components, and rounds, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and their ammunition from Latvia to the relevant country for permanent possession or carrying, if the authorisation for the acquisition of weapons, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition of the competent authority of the relevant country, as well as the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of weapons issued by the State Police has been received, and if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country.

Section 49. Temporary Import of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition into Latvia from the European Union Member States and Countries of the European Economic Area

(1) A citizen of a European Union Member State and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area, if he or she has a European firearm pass and a justification for the import of a firearm into Latvia or movement through the territory of Latvia, is entitled to import into Latvia the hunting or sports firearm of Categories A, B, or C indicated in the European firearm pass, its exchangeable essential components and ammunition, or the salute weapon (acoustic weapon) of Category C for professional activities in the field of culture or for historical re-enactments and its ammunition, and also magazines with the capacity of more than 10 rounds for a long-rifled firearm of Category A classified for sports and magazines with the capacity of more than 20 rounds for a short firearm of Category A classified for sports, the exchangeable essential components, magazines, and ammunition of the abovementioned weapons, to use such weapons according to their type of use in hunting, practice shooting, or shooting sports competitions, and to acquire ammunition appropriate for the weapon, and also to transport weapons and ammunition through the territory of Latvia.

(2) A citizen of a European Union Member State and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area who wishes to temporarily import into Latvia salute weapons (acoustic weapons) of Categories A and B classified for the field of culture or for historical re-enactments, firearms of Category B classified for hunting and their exchangeable essential components, high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D classified for sports and hunting, as well as the ammunition intended for the abovementioned weapons, and to use them according to their type of use in the field of culture or in historical re-enactments, hunting, practice shooting, or shooting sports competitions, must receive a prior consent document for the transportation or conveyance of weapons and ammunition from the State Police.

(3) A citizen of a European Union Member State and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area are entitled to cross the territory of Latvia if he or she carries with documents confirming lawful transportation of firearms and their ammunition issued by the European Union Member State or the country of the European Economic Area.

(4) The State Police shall inform the relevant competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area of each prior consent document for the transportation or conveyance of weapons and ammunition issued in accordance with the procedures laid down in Paragraph two of this Section.

Section 50. Temporary Importation of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition into Latvia from the Third Countries

(1) Third-country nationals, after receipt of the authorisation for the transportation or the authorisation for the conveyance of weapons issued by the State Police, if they have a justified invitation for entering Latvia and a permit issued by the competent authority of his or her country, are entitled to import the following into Latvia for a time period of up to three months:

1) firearms of Categories B and C classified for sports, their exchangeable essential components and ammunition, magazines with the capacity of more than 20 rounds for a short firearm of Category B classified for sports, and high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D classified for sports for use in sports competitions;

2) firearms of Category C classified for hunting, their exchangeable essential components and ammunition, and high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D classified for hunting for use in hunting;

3) salute weapons (acoustic weapons) of Category C and ammunition which is necessary for professional activities in the field of culture or for historical re-enactments.

(2) Citizens of the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, after receipt of the authorisation for the transportation or authorisation for the conveyance of weapons issued by the State Police, if they have a justified invitation for entering Latvia and a permit issued by the competent authority of their country, are entitled to import firearms of Category A classified for sports, their exchangeable essential components and ammunition into Latvia for use in sports competitions for a time period of up to three months.

(3) Third-country nationals, including citizens of the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, after receipt of the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance are entitled to transport the weapons indicated in the authorisation, their exchangeable essential components and ammunition through the territory of Latvia, and also to acquire ammunition appropriate for the weapon.

[20 January 2022]

Section 51. Import of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition into Latvia from the European Union Member States, Countries of the European Economic Area, or Third Countries for Permanent Possession or Carrying

A citizen of a European Union Member State, a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area, and a third-country national, having received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia, are entitled to import into Latvia and permanently possess firearms of Categories A, B, and C classified for hunting, sports, self-defence, or collection, their exchangeable essential components, ammunition, to carry short firearms of Category B classified for self-defence, and also magazines with the capacity of more than 10 rounds for a long-rifled firearm of Category A classified for sports, magazines with the capacity of more than 20 rounds for a short firearm of Category A, and high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and their ammunition, if the State Police has issued the authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon, and also the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of a weapon, and after import of weapons, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition into Latvia, the State Police has issued the authorisation for the possession of a weapon, authorisation for the carrying of a weapon, or authorisation for the collection of weapons based on the authorisation for the export of weapons, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition issued by the competent authority of the European Union Member State, the country of the European Economic Area, or the third country.

[20 February 2020]

Section 52. Acquisition of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition in European Union Member States and Countries of the European Economic Area

(1) In order to acquire firearms of Categories A, B, and C, their exchangeable essential components, ammunition, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D in a European Union Member State or a country of the European Economic Area and to import them into Latvia, a natural or legal person must receive the authorisation for the acquisition of weapons and a prior consent document for the transportation or conveyance of weapons and ammunition from the State Police, as well as the permit for the transportation or conveyance of the relevant European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area, if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country.

(2) The State Police shall inform the relevant competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area of each prior consent document issued in accordance with the procedures laid down in Paragraph one of this Section for the transportation or conveyance of weapons and ammunition between European Union Member State or countries of the European Economic Area.

Section 53. Conditions for the Acquisition and Import of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition from the Third Countries

(1) In order to acquire firearms of Categories A, B, and C, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and import them into Latvia, a natural or legal person must receive the authorisation for the acquisition of weapons and authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of weapons from the State Police.

(2) The customs authorities shall inform the State Police of each case when firearms of Categories A, B, and C, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D are imported into Latvia from a third country or exported from Latvia to a third country.

Section 54. Conditions for the Acquisition of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition for Citizens of European Union Member States and Citizens of the Countries of the European Economic Area

(1) A citizen of a European Union Member State and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area, if he or she has a prior consent document for the transportation and conveyance of weapons and ammunition issued by the competent authority of his or her country which gives the right to acquire a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, as well as a high-energy pneumatic weapon in Latvia, shall receive the authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon and authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of a weapon at the State Police in person or with the intermediation of a weapons dealer which is marketing the firearm, its exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, or the high-energy pneumatic weapon.

(2) A citizen of a European Union Member State and a citizen of a country of the European Economic Area who is personally acquiring a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, or a high-energy pneumatic weapon in Latvia shall, within five working days after acquisition of the firearm, its exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, or the high-energy pneumatic weapon, present the acquired firearm, its exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, or the high-energy pneumatic weapon at the State Police and receive the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of weapons.

(3) The weapons dealer shall convey the firearms, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, or the high-energy pneumatic weapons acquired on the basis of a distance contract to a citizen of a European Union Member State and citizen of a country of the European Economic Area together with the authorisations for the acquisition and transportation or conveyance of weapons issued by the State Police.

(4) The State Police shall inform the relevant competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area of the issuance of each authorisation referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.

[20 February 2020]

Section 55. Conditions for the Acquisition of Weapons, Their Exchangeable Essential Components, and Ammunition for Third-country Nationals in Latvia

(1) A third-country national, if he or she has a permit issued by the competent authority of his or her country which gives the right to acquire a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, as well as a high-energy pneumatic weapon of Category D in Latvia, may receive the authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon at the State Police.

(2) The third-country national shall, within five working days after acquisition of a firearm, its exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, or a high-energy pneumatic weapon in Latvia, present the acquired firearm, its exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, or the high-energy pneumatic weapon at the State Police and receive the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of such weapon, its exchangeable essential components, and ammunition.

Section 56. Conditions for the Marketing of Firearms Registered in Latvia and Their Exchangeable Essential Components in European Union Member States, Countries of the European Economic Area, and Third Countries

(1) Natural persons may market firearms of Categories A, B, and C, their exchangeable essential components, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D registered in Latvia and belonging to them in European Union Member States and countries of the European Economic Area by receiving a prior consent document from the relevant competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area for the transportation or conveyance of weapons and ammunition, and after receipt of the abovementioned permit to receive the authorisation for the marketing of weapons and authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of weapons from the State Police.

(2) Natural persons may market firearms of Categories A, B, and C, their exchangeable essential components, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D registered in Latvia and belonging to them in the third countries by receiving the import permit from the relevant competent authority of the third country, and after receipt of the abovementioned permit to receive the authorisation for the marketing of weapons and authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of weapons from the State Police.

Section 57. Conditions for the Transportation and Conveyance of Firearms, Their Exchangeable Essential Components and High-energy Pneumatic Weapons Across the State Border of the Republic of Latvia

Firearms, their exchangeable essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons may be transported and conveyed across the State border of the Republic of Latvia only in unloaded form, in a special case, or in other packaging, moreover, weapons must be separately from ammunition, in conformity with the laws and regulations in the field of customs and border-crossing. During customs control or border control, firearms, their exchangeable essential components, and ammunition, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons shall be removed from the packaging only upon a request of a customs or border guard official.

Chapter XI
Deactivation of a Weapon and Special Conditions for the Handling of Deactivated Weapons

Section 58. Deactivation of a Weapon

(1) The State Police is the institution which shall verify whether a firearm has been deactivated in accordance with the technical specifications laid down in Regulation 2015/2403.

(2) The State Police is the institution which shall register the firearms which have been deactivated in accordance with the technical specifications laid down in Regulation 2015/2403 in the Register of Weapons.

(3) A State fee shall be paid for the issuance of the certification of the deactivation of a firearm and a high-energy pneumatic weapon.

(4) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for the issuance of the certification of the deactivation of firearms and high-energy pneumatic weapons, the procedures for the registration of the deactivated firearm, as well as the procedures by which and the amount in which the State fee for the issuance of the certification of the deactivation of a firearm and a high-energy pneumatic weapon shall be paid.

Section 59. Acquisition, Sale, Export, Import, and Re-registration of Deactivated Weapons

(1) Persons have the right to acquire and market deactivated high-energy pneumatic weapons if there is a statement or certification from the State Police that such weapon has been deactivated.

(2) Persons have the right to market, transport, or convey deactivated high-energy pneumatic weapons to European Union Member States, countries of the European Economic Area, and third countries if there is a statement or certification from the State Police that such weapon has been deactivated and if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country.

(3) Persons have the right to acquire and market in Latvia only such deactivated firearms which have been registered with the State Police if there is a certification of the competent authority of the European Union Member State or the country of the European Economic Area that the firearm has been deactivated in accordance with Regulation 2015/2403. The relevant firearm shall be re-registered with the State Police within five working days.

(4) Persons who wish to acquire firearms deactivated in accordance with Regulation 2015/2403 in a European Union Member State or a country of the European Economic Area must receive a prior consent document from the State Police for the transportation or conveyance of firearms and ammunition, as well as the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance - from the relevant competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area, if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country, and to re-register it with the State Police within five working days after importing of the relevant weapon into Latvia.

(5) Persons who wish to sell firearms that have been deactivated in European Union Member States or countries of the European Economic Area in accordance with Regulation 2015/2403 must receive a prior consent document from the relevant competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area for the transportation or conveyance of firearms and ammunition, and after receipt of the abovementioned document to receive the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance issued by the State Police, if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country.

(6) Persons who wish to transport or convey a firearm that has been deactivated in accordance with Regulation 2015/2403 to another European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area must receive a prior consent document from the relevant competent authority of the European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area for the transportation or conveyance of firearms and ammunition and the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of firearms issued by the State Police, if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country.

(7) A citizen of another European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area who wishes to import a firearm deactivated in accordance with Regulation 2015/2403 into Latvia must receive a prior consent document from the State Police for the transportation or conveyance of firearms and ammunition.

(8) Persons who wish to market, transport, or convey firearms that have been deactivated in accordance with Regulation 2015/2403 to the third countries must receive the authorisation for the importation of a weapon from the competent authority of the third country and after receipt of the abovementioned authorisation to receive the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance from the State Police, if other procedures have not been specified in the relevant country.

(9) The conditions and procedures by which persons shall re-register firearms that have been deactivated in accordance with Regulation 2015/2403 shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 60. Possession, Carrying, and Transportation of a Deactivated Weapon

In Latvia, persons have the following rights:

1) to possess and transport a deactivated high-energy pneumatic weapon if they have a statement or certification from the State Police that such weapon has been deactivated;

2) to possess and transport firearms which have been deactivated until 8 April 2016 if they have a statement from the State Police on the deactivation of the relevant firearm;

3) to carry short firearms which have been deactivated until 8 April 2016 if they have a statement from the State Police on the deactivation of the relevant firearm;

4) to possess and transport deactivated firearms which have been registered with the State Police if they have a certification from the State Police or a certification from the competent authority of another European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area that the firearm has been deactivated in accordance with Regulation 2015/2403;

5) to carry deactivated short firearms which have been registered with the State Police if they have a certification from the State Police or a certification from the competent authority of another European Union Member State or country of the European Economic Area that the firearm has been deactivated in accordance with Regulation 2015/2403.

Section 61. Inheriting of a Deactivated Weapon

(1) Inherited firearms which have been deactivated in accordance with Regulation 2015/2403 shall be registered with the State Police within five working days after receipt of the inheritance.

(2) If the heir to a deactivated weapon does not wish or cannot accept a deactivated weapon, the State Police shall, on the basis of his or her submission, re-register it to another person or transfer it for destruction to the Provision State Agency.

[20 January 2022]

Chapter XII
Special Conditions for the Handling of Gas Weapons and Signal Weapons of Category E

Section 62. Acquisition, Marketing, Registration, and Transfer for Repair of Gas Weapons and Signal Weapons of Category E

(1) Persons have the right to acquire gas weapons and signal weapons of Category E registered with the State Police and classified for self-defence from a weapons merchant who has receive the relevant special permit (licence) for the marketing of weapons or from another person in Latvia. The person shall, within five working days after acquisition of the relevant weapon, re-register it with the State Police or use the electronic service provided by the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior for re-registration.

(2) Persons have the right to acquire gas weapons and signal weapons which have been marked in accordance with the requirements of this Law and which have been classified in Latvia in Category E for self-defence in the European Union Member States, countries of the European Economic Area, and third countries in accordance with the laws and regulations of the relevant country. The person shall, within five working days after importing of the abovementioned weapons into Latvia, register them with the State Police or use the electronic service provided by the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior for registration.

(3) A natural person for whom a gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E has been registered has the right to transfer the abovementioned weapon for repair to a weapons dealer who has received the relevant special permit (licence) for the repair of weapons.

Section 63. Possession, Carrying, and Transportation of Gas Weapons and Signal Weapons of Category E

(1) While possessing and transporting a gas weapon and signal weapon, persons shall ensure such conditions which prevent the accidental falling of the weapon and ammunition into hands of unauthorised persons.

(2) A natural person is prohibited from:

1) carrying more than two gas weapons and signal weapons of Category E classified for self-defence at the same time;

2) carrying more than one loaded spare magazine or cylinder.

(3) A gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E classified for self-defence shall be carried in a special pocket (holster) so that the weapon cannot fall out and does not attract attention of other persons, as well as accidentally does not fall into hands of an unauthorised person.

(4) A natural person has the right to withdraw the weapon from the special pocket (holster) and to prepare it for firing if there are grounds to believe that the conditions specified in this Law for the use or application of a gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E classified for self-defence will occur or have occurred in the particular situation.

Section 64. Inheriting of Gas Weapons and Signal Weapons

(1) The inherited gas weapons and signal weapons shall be registered with the State Police within five working days after the day of receipt of the inheritance.

(2) If the heir to a gas weapon and a signal weapon does not wish or cannot accept the weapon, the State Police shall, on the basis of his or her submission, re-register it to another person or transfer it for destruction to the Provision State Agency.

[20 January 2022]

Chapter XIII
Conditions and Procedures for the Use and Application of Weapons and Special Means

Section 65. Conditions for the Use and Application of Firearms, Gas Weapons and Signal Weapons of Category E Classified for Self-defence, and Special Means

(1) The application of a firearm is a targeted shot (except for shooting in hunting, sports competitions, or practice shooting), and also a shot which causes death of a person, harm to his or her health, or damage to the property, or renders an animal harmless.

(2) A gas cylinder may be applied for self-defence to affect a human or animal organism by means of the gas in situations where persons need to defend themselves.

(3) An electric shock device may be applied for self-defence to affect a human or animal organism by means of a high-voltage electric charge in situations where persons need to defend themselves.

(4) A person may use a firearm as the final means or a gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E classified for self-defence in order to:

1) protect himself or herself or other persons against an attack that actually endangers life or health;

2) avert an illegal attempt to take a firearm away by force;

3) arrest a person who is surprised in the act of committing a crime and shows armed resistance;

4) render harmless an animal which endangers human life, health or property.

(5) A firearm or gas weapon and signal weapon of a Category E classified for self-defence may be used to summon help, to warn of the use of a weapon, or to frighten away animals.

(6) When applying a firearm, a gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E classified for self-defence, or special means, the boundaries necessary for defence may not be violated.

Section 66. Procedures for the Use and Application of Firearms and Gas Weapons and Signal Weapons of Category E Classified for Self-defence

(1) Prior to the application of a firearm or a gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E classified for self-defence a warning of the intention to apply it shall be made or a warning shot shall be fired.

(2) A firearm or a gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E classified for self-defence shall be applied without a warning if:

1) the attack which endangers a person's life or health is sudden;

2) weapons or objects that endanger the human life or health, or mechanical means of transport are used in the attack;

3) the person to be detained shows resistance by using weapons or objects that endanger the life or health of another person.

(3) A person who uses or applies a firearm or a gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E classified for self-defence shall do everything in his or her power to reduce the harm and to guarantee safety of other persons.

(4) It is prohibited to use or apply a firearm and a gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E classified for self-defence, if other persons against whom the weapon is not directed may suffer as a result of the use or application thereof.

(5) The person who applied a firearm or a gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E classified for self-defence shall notify the State Police without delay of each case of the application of the firearm or gas weapon and signal weapon of Category E classified for self-defence. Such person shall preserve the conditions of the place of the event and stay at the place of the event, but if there are victims, provide first aid to them and, without delay, ensure the calling of emergency medical assistance.

Section 67. Conditions for the Use and Application of Airsoft Weapons, Paintball Weapons, and Lasertag Devices

Natural persons and legal persons shall be permitted to use an airsoft weapon, a paintball weapon, and a lasertag device at an immovable property belonging to such persons or in the possession or holding of such persons by delimiting it and ensuring such conditions for use which prevent the endangerment of environment, animal and human life and health, or property belonging to other persons, as well as does not endanger public safety and does not cause public order disturbances.

Section 68. Conditions for the Use of Salute Weapons (Acoustic Weapons)

Legal persons which are performing their professional activities in the field of culture and associations which are implementing historical re-enactments may use salute weapons (acoustic weapons) in such conditions which do not endanger public safety and do not cause public order disturbances.

Chapter XIV
Establishment of Shooting Galleries, Provisions for Practice Shooting and Shooting Sports Competitions

Section 69. Categories of Shooting Galleries

Shooting galleries shall be divided into the following categories in conformity with the type of weapons:

1) first category shooting galleries in which bows and crossbows, as well as throwing knives, axes, low-energy pneumatic weapons of Category F and their ammunition may be used;

2) second category shooting galleries in which firearms of Categories A, B, and C classified for sports, hunting, and self-defence and their ammunition, high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and their ammunition, low-energy pneumatic weapons of Category F and their ammunition may be used;

3) third category shooting galleries in which automatic firearms of Category A and their ammunition, and also the weapons permitted to be used in first and second category shooting galleries and their ammunition may be used.

Section 70. Establishment of Shooting Galleries

(1) Natural persons and legal persons have the right to establish shooting galleries at an immovable property belonging to them or in their possession or holding.

(2) A permit from the local government shall be required for the establishment and operation of a second and third category shooting gallery. The permit shall be cancelled if the recipient thereof violates the requirements of this Law.

(3) The requirements for the establishment and operation of shooting ranges, and also the procedures by which a permit for the establishment and operation of a shooting range shall be issued and cancelled shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 71. Provisions for Practice Shooting and Shooting Sports Competitions

(1) The owner of a shooting gallery shall be responsible for the conformity with the general safety regulations for practice shooting activities and shooting sports competitions, and also for the technical and organisational measures for guaranteeing the safety of participants, spectators, and other persons during practice shooting activities. The coach or shooting instructor who is leading the practice shall be responsible for the conformity with the safety regulations in practices of a specific shooter or a group of shooters. The user of a weapon shall be responsible for specific activities with the weapon in practices and competitions.

(2) The organiser of the competition and the chief judge of the competition certified by the sports federation in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations shall be responsible for the safety of participants, spectators, and other persons, as well as for the provision of medical assistance during shooting sports competitions.

(3) Firearms, high-energy pneumatic weapons, as well as non-firearm weapons (bows and crossbows) may be used in practice shooting and shooting sports competitions only in shooting galleries of the corresponding category. Examination of hunting firearms or high-energy pneumatic weapons classified for hunting in hunting areas during hunting shall not be considered practice shooting. During examination of the abovementioned hunting weapons safety requirements shall be conformed to in order to prevent harm to human beings, animals, property, and environment, as well as not to endanger public safety and not to cause public order disturbances.

(4) Low-energy pneumatic weapons, and also throwing non-firearm weapons and bows the arrows of which do not have hunting arrowhead may be used in a delimited place in conformity with the safety requirements in order to prevent harm to human beings, animals, property, and environment, as well as not to endanger public safety and not to cause public order disturbances.

(5) Practice shooting in second category shooting galleries shall take place only under supervision of a certified shooting instructor or coach. The lawful demands of the instructor and the coach in the shooting gallery shall be compulsory to persons.

(6) In shooting galleries, the following minimum age shall be specified for the participants of practice shooting or shooting sports competitions:

1) in the first category shooting galleries - unlimited;

2) for firing low-calibre rifled firearms of Category B or C the ammunition of which has a rimfire primer, a single-shot long smooth-bore firearm of Category C, and also high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D - 12 years;

3) for firing firearms of Categories B and C - 16 years;

4) for firing firearms of Category A - 18 years.

(7) Persons who do not have the authorisation for the possession or authorisation for the carrying of the relevant firearms shall participate in practice shooting or shooting sports competitions only under supervision of a certified shooting instructor or coach.

(8) Minor persons who have attained the age referred to in Paragraph six of this Section shall may use firearms or high-energy pneumatic weapons of the relevant category in shooting galleries only if practice shooting is organised by a legal person or educational institution linked to the shooting sport or if the minor person is visiting the shooting gallery accompanied by parents or legal representatives.

(9) The use of a weapon by, as well as the presence of persons who are under the influence of alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances in shooting galleries is prohibited. It is prohibited to issue weapons and ammunition to the abovementioned persons.

(10) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which practice shooting and shooting sports competitions shall take place in Latvia, as well as the safety regulations to be conformed to in shooting galleries.

Section 72. Certification of Shooting Instructors and Coaches

(1) Shooting instructors, except for such shooting instructors who are employees of such State and local government institutions to which the right to acquire, possess, and use firearms in their operation has been granted in accordance with the law, shall be certified by the association "Latvijas Sporta federāciju padome" [Latvian Sports Federations Council]. It may establish a commission which shall decide on the issuance and cancellation of certificates.

(2) Shooting coaches shall be certified in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations by which sports specialists are certified, additionally taking into account the requirements referred to in Paragraph three of this Section.

(3) A shooting instructor and coach shall be certified if any of the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law (except for the prohibitions referred to in Clauses 14 and 15 thereof) does not apply thereto. Examination as to whether any of the abovementioned prohibitions applies to the person shall be performed by the State Police.

(4) The certificate of a shooting instructor shall be cancelled if:

1) the shooting instructor has violated the provisions for practice shooting or shooting sports competitions or the safety provisions in a shooting gallery;

2) any of the prohibitions referred to in Section 23 of this Law (except for the prohibitions referred to in Clauses 14 and 15 thereof) has been established in relation to the shooting instructor.

(5) The certificate of a shooting instructor may be cancelled if the certified shooting instructor has violated the laws and regulations governing the field of sports.

(6) The association "Latvijas Sporta federāciju padome", upon performing the tasks specified in Paragraphs one, four, and five of this Section, is entitled to issue administrative acts.

(7) The decision to issue the certificate of a shooting instructor or to refuse to issue such certificate shall be taken within three months from the day when a submission for the certification of a shooting instructor has been received.

(8) The decision to issue the certificate of a shooting instructor, to refuse to issue the certificate of a shooting instructor, or to cancel the certificate of a shooting instructor may be contested to the Ministry of Education and Science. The decision of the Ministry of Education and Science may be contested to the court in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law.

(9) The contesting and appeal of the decision to issue the certificate of a shooting instructor, to refuse to issue the certificate of a shooting instructor, or to cancel the certificate of a shooting instructor shall not suspend its operation.

(10) The association "Latvijas Sporta federāciju padome" shall register the information regarding the issued certificates of shooting instructors in the Register of Licences and Certificates. The Cabinet shall determine the extent of the information to be registered in the Register of Licences and Certificates, the procedures for the inclusion, use, and deletion thereof, as well as the authorities to be granted with access to the information included in the Register.

(11) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures and criteria for the certification of shooting instructors, as well as the fee for the certification of shooting instructors.

Chapter XV
Issuance, Suspension, and Cancellation of Special Permits (Licences) for the Commercial Activity Involving Weapons, Ammunition, and Their Components

Section 73. Special Permits (Licences)

(1) A natural person and legal person must have the special permit (licence) (hereinafter - the licence) for the commercial activity involving:

1) military weapons and specials means which are referred to in the Common Military List of the European Union;

2) firearms of Categories A, B, and C classified for hunting, sports, self-defence, and collection, their ammunition and components (including gunpowder);

3) high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and their components;

4) gas weapons and signal weapons of Category E and their ammunition, low-energy pneumatic weapons of Category F;

5) gas cylinders, electric shock devices, and non-firearm weapons.

(2) Import of military weapons and special means into Latvia shall be permitted for the needs of such State institutions which may use and operate such weapons and means in their activities. Import of military weapons and special means into Latvia, export thereof from Latvia, and transportation through the territory of Latvia shall be permitted for such merchants which have received a licence of the Ministry of Defence for the commercial activity involving the goods included in the Common Military List of the European Union. The abovementioned licence shall be issued in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations governing the handling of goods of strategic significance.

(3) The licensing commission of the State Police shall issue the following licences:

1) the licence for the sale of hunting, sports, self-defence, and collection firearms of Categories A, B, and C, their ammunition and components (including gunpowder), and high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and their components. Such licence shall give the rights to acquire, possess, display in exhibitions, transport, convey and market, export to a third country, and import from a third country the weapons, ammunition, and their components (including gunpowder) indicated in the licence;

2) the licence for the repair of hunting, sports, self-defence, and collection firearms of Categories A, B, and C, high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D, gas weapons and signal weapons of Category E, and low-energy pneumatic weapons of Category E. Such licence shall give the rights to acquire and possess the components necessary for the repair of weapons, to repair the weapons indicated in the licence, and to possess them during the period of repair;

3) the licence for the manufacturing of hunting, sports, and self-defence firearms of Categories A, B, and C, their ammunition and components (except for gunpowder), and high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D and their components. Such licence shall give the rights to manufacture the weapons indicated therein, ammunition, and their components (except for gunpowder), as well as to possess them, display in exhibitions, transport, convey, market, and export to a third country, to perform quality testing (tests) of weapons, ammunition, and their components (except for gunpowder) and repair the manufactured weapons;

4) the licence for the deactivation of weapons of Categories A, B, C, and D and for the converting of weapons of Categories A, B, and C into salute weapons (acoustic weapons). Such licence shall give the rights to acquire automatic firearms of Category A, weapons of Categories B and C for deactivating or converting into salute weapons (acoustic weapons), to acquire weapons of Category D for deactivation, to deactivate weapons, to convert firearms into salute weapons (acoustic weapons), as well as to possess the abovementioned weapons, to display them in exhibitions, to transport, convey, and market them;

5) the licence of a weapons broker for the commercial activity involving hunting, sports, self-defence, and collection firearms of Categories A, B, and C and their essential components, ammunition and its components (including gunpowder);

6) the licence for the marketing of gas weapons and signal weapons of Category E and their ammunition, low-energy pneumatic weapons of Category F, gas cylinders, electric shock devices, and non-firearm weapons. Such licence shall give the rights to acquire, possess, display in exhibitions, transport, convey, market, export to a third country and import from a third country the weapons, ammunition, and special means indicated in the licence, as well as to repair gas weapons and signal weapons of Category E and low-energy pneumatic weapons of Category F;

7) the licence for the manufacturing of gas weapons and signal weapons of Category E and their ammunition, low-energy pneumatic weapons of Category F, gas cylinders, electric shock devices, and non-firearm weapons. Such licence shall give the rights to manufacture the weapons, ammunition, and special means indicated therein, as well as to possess them, display in exhibitions, transport, convey, market, and export to a third country, to perform quality testing (tests) and repair of the weapons and special means manufactured.

(4) The licence for the commercial activity involving firearms of Category A and their components, ammunition of Category A and its components shall be issued for five years.

(5) A dealer shall receive a duplicate of the licence if the licence has been damaged, lost, or stolen, but if the data indicated therein regarding the dealer has changed or another place for the manufacturing, repair, possession, or marketing of weapons, ammunition, and their components or special means has been arranged - a repeat licence.

(6) A State fee shall be paid for the issuance of the licence, the extension of the term of validity thereof, the issuance of the duplicate and repeat licence.

(7) The Cabinet shall determine the requirements for the receipt of the licence and the requirements to be conformed to by the weapons dealer and the weapons broker during the operation of the licence, the procedures by which the licence shall be issued to the dealer and its term of validity shall be extended, the duplicate of the licence or repeat licence shall be issued, the licence shall be cancelled, the operation of the licence shall be suspended, as well as the procedures for and amount in which the State fee for the issuance of the licence, its duplicate, and repeat licence and for the extension of its term of validity shall be paid.

(8) The State Police shall register the information regarding licences, weapons dealers, weapons brokers, persons who are entitled to represent the commercial company, regarding its shareholders, as well as employees on whom the restrictions specified in this Law have been imposed in the Register of Licences and Certificates. The holder and manager of the abovementioned Register shall be the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior.

(9) The extent of the information to be included in the Register of Licences and Certificates, the procedures for the inclusion, use, and deletion thereof, as well as the authorities to be granted with access to the information included in the Register shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 74. Restrictions for the Issuance of the Licence

(1) The licence for the commercial activity involving weapons, ammunition, and special means, with components of firearms and ammunition (including gunpowder) shall be issued to individual merchants and commercial companies if the individual merchant, shareholders, managers, and employees of the commercial company who according to work duties have access to weapons, ammunition, and their components (including gunpowder) or special means are citizens of Latvia or citizens of European Union Member States, or citizens of countries of the European Economic Area who have attained at least 21 years of age and the restrictions specified in Paragraph two of this Section do not apply to them and to the merchant.

(2) It is prohibited to issue the licence:

1) if the individual merchant, shareholder, manager, or employee of the commercial company who according to work duties has access to weapons, ammunition, and their components (including gunpowder), or special means:

a) has been sentenced for committing a criminal offence - prior to extinguishment or removal of the criminal record;

b) is a person to whom the status of accused has been applied in criminal proceedings;

c) has been released from criminal liability in accordance with Section 58 of The Criminal Law - while a year has not passed after entry into effect of the relevant decision;

d) has been conditionally released from criminal liability in accordance with Section 58.¹ of The Criminal Law - before the end of the probation period;

e) has been released from a sentence in accordance with Section 59 of The Criminal Law - while a year has not passed after entry into effect of the ruling on the release from the sentence;

f) is suspected of committing an offence;

g) has been administratively sanctioned for violations committed under the influence of alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances, for refusal to submit to a medical test for alcohol concentration, as well as a test for narcotic or other intoxicating substances, for petty hooliganism, for intentional infliction of insignificant bodily harm, or for malicious non-compliance with lawful orders or requests of a police employee, a border guard, or guardsman, as well as a soldier - while a year has not passed since the administrative sanction was enforced;

2) if regarding the individual merchant, shareholder, manager, or employee of the commercial company who according to work duties has access to weapons, ammunition, their components, or special means:

a) the State Police has substantiated information that he or she may misuse the weapon or special means, endanger himself or herself, public order or safety;

b) State security institutions have information that attest to the belonging of such natural person to a prohibited military or armed grouping, a prohibited public organisation (party) or association of public organisations (parties);

3) if for the individual merchant, shareholder, manager, or employee of the commercial company who according to work duties has access to weapons, ammunition, and their components, or special means:

a) medical contraindications for work with weapons have been established;

b) the right to acquire, possess, or carry a weapon or the right to conduct commercial activity in the field of the handling of weapons has been restricted (temporarily withdrawn) - before the end of the term of the restriction of rights;

4) to a merchant for whom the licence for the commercial activity involving the goods, weapons, ammunition, special means, explosives, explosive devices, or pyrotechnic articles referred to in the Common Military List of the European Union has been cancelled - while a year has not passed since the cancellation thereof;

5) to a merchant the shareholder of which is a legal person for which the licence for the commercial activity involving weapons, ammunition, special means, explosives, explosive devices, or pyrotechnic articles has been cancelled within the last year;

6) to a merchant the shareholder or manager of which is a natural person who has been such individual merchant or shareholder of a merchant for which the licence for the commercial activity involving weapons, ammunition, special means, explosives, explosive devices, or pyrotechnic articles has been cancelled within the last year, or who has been the manager of such merchant;

7) to a merchant regarding which State security institutions have information that its activity is directed against national security of Latvia;

8) to a merchant who has not arranged a place for the manufacturing, repair, possession, or marketing of weapons, ammunition, or special means conforming to the specified requirements.

(3) The restrictions referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section shall also apply to the authorised persons of the merchant.

(4) The decision to refuse to issue the licence may be contested and appealed in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law. The contesting and appeal of the decision shall not suspend its operation.

Section 75. Suspension of the Operation of the Licence and Cancellation of the Licence

(1) The State Police is entitled to suspend the operation of the licence for a time period up to 60 days if:

1) there are grounds to believe that the activity of the merchant is directed against national security of Latvia - in order to perform an examination and to receive statements of the competent authorities;

2) the merchant has violated the provisions for the manufacturing, repair, possession, transportation, and marketing of weapons, ammunition, their components, or special means, or other provisions for the handling of weapons - in order to discontinue and eliminate the violation.

(2) The State Police is entitled to cancel the licence if:

1) the restrictions for the issuance of the licence referred to in Section 74 of this Law have been established;

2) the merchant is violating the requirements of Sections 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, and 84 of this Law;

3) the merchant has not eliminated the violation referred to in Paragraph one, Clause 2 of this Section;

4) facts have been discovered that the activity of the merchant endangers national security, stability, the fulfilment of the international obligations, public security or order, environment, human life, health, or property;

5) the merchant has intentionally provide false information for the receipt of the licence;

6) the merchant is liquidated or its operation is suspended for a time period exceeding 60 days;

7) it is determined by another law or a court ruling.

(3) The decision to suspend the operation of the licence or to cancel the licence may be contested and appealed in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law. The contesting and appeal of the decision shall not suspend its operation.

Chapter XVI
Conditions for the Commercial Handling of Weapons, Ammunition, Their Components, and Special Means

Section 76. Conditions for the Acquisition of Weapons, Ammunition, Their Components, and Special Means

(1) A weapons dealer has the right to acquire only industrially manufactured weapons, ammunition, and their components.

(2) The weapons dealer which has received the licence referred to in Section 73, Paragraph three, Clauses 2 and 3 of this Law shall be permitted to acquire components (including also essential components) of weapons for the repair of weapons.

(3) The weapons dealer which has received the licence referred to in Section 73, Paragraph three, Clause 3 of this Law shall be permitted to acquire hunting, sports, and self-defence firearms of Categories A, B, and C, high-energy pneumatic weapons of Category D, their components (including also essential components), and preforms of components (including also preforms of essential components) of weapons, as well as their ammunition and its components which are necessary for the manufacturing of the products and for the quality testing (tests) of the manufactured products.

(4) The weapons dealer which has received the licence referred to in Section 73, Paragraph three, Clause 7 of this Law shall be permitted to acquire gas weapons and signal weapons of Category E, low-energy pneumatic weapons of Category F, gas cylinders, electric shock devices, and non-firearm weapons, components of weapons and their preforms, as well as their ammunition and its components, which are necessary for the manufacturing of the products and for the quality testing (tests) of the manufactured products.

(5) The weapons dealer which has received the licence referred to in Section 73, Paragraph three, Clause 4 of this Law shall be permitted to acquire automatic firearms of Category A for their deactivation or converting into salute weapons (acoustic weapons) only after an agreement on the acquisition of automatic firearms of Category A has been received from the State Police.

(6) The weapons dealer which has received the licence referred to in Section 73, Paragraph three, Clause 6 of this Law, in addition to the special means indicated therein, shall be permitted to acquire truncheons and handcuffs for the needs of security guard merchants or internal security services, as well as special means which are intended for ensuring public order for the needs of such State and local government authorities which have been granted the right to acquire, possess, and use special means in their activity in accordance with the law.

(7) A weapons broker has the right to provide intermediation services to a weapons dealer in the acquisition of hunting, sports, self-defence, and collection firearms of Categories A, B, and C, their essential components, ammunition and its components (including gunpowder).

Section 77. Conditions for the Marketing of Weapons, Ammunition, Their Components, and Special Means

(1) A weapons dealer has the right to market industrially manufactured weapons, ammunition and their components, gunpowder, gas weapons and signal weapons and their ammunition, pneumatic weapons and their ammunition, special means and non-firearm weapons only in specially equipped premises at immovable properties the address of which is indicated in the licence, and also, on the basis of a distance contract, after receipt of the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance issued by the State Police to convey firearms, their exchangeable essential components, ammunition, and high-energy pneumatic weapons to other European Union Member States and countries of the European Economic Area.

(2) The weapons dealer which has received the licence referred to in Section 73, Paragraph three, Clause 1 of this Law shall be permitted to market only such rifled firearms with which control shots have been fired at the State Police.

(3) The weapons dealer which has received the licence referred to in Section 73, Paragraph three, Clause 1 of this Law shall be permitted to market only the exchangeable essential components of hunting and sports firearm.

(4) The weapons dealer which has received the licence referred to in Section 73, Paragraph three, Clause 6 of this Law shall be permitted to market truncheons and handcuffs only to security guard merchants or internal security services, as well as special means which are intended for ensuring public order to such State and local government authorities which have been granted the right to acquire, possess, and use special means in their activity in accordance with the law.

(5) A weapons broker has the right to provide intermediation services to a weapons dealer in the marketing of hunting, sports, self-defence firearms of Categories A, B, and C, their essential components and ammunition and its components (including gunpowder).

[20 January 2022]

Section 78. Transportation, Conveyance, Exportation to a Third Country, Importation from a Third Country, and Transit through the Territory of Latvia from Third Country to Another Third Country of Weapons, Ammunition, Their Components, and Special Means

(1) In order to transport and convey firearms, their essential components, ammunition, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons between European Union Member States, a weapons dealer shall need a prior consent document. The prior consent document shall be issued by the State Police in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations governing the handling of goods of strategic significance.

(2) The merchant shall export the weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means referred to in the Common Military List of the European Union to a third country, import from a third country, or transport through the territory of Latvia from one third country to another third country, transport and convey between European Union Member States, also for the time period of displaying in exhibitions, demonstration, or repair, in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations governing the handling of goods of strategic significance.

(3) A weapons dealer or weapons broker shall ensure armed security guards for the transportation of firearms, their essential components and ammunition, as well as high-energy pneumatic weapons in the territory of Latvia if the total number of firearms, their essential components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons to be transported exceeds 10 or the number of rounds of the firearm exceeds 100 000, using employees (employees of the internal security service) who have a security guard certificate or by concluding the relevant contract with a security guard merchant.

Section 79. Conditions for the Manufacture of Weapons, Ammunition, Their Components, and Special Means

(1) A weapons dealer has the right to manufacture weapons, ammunition, their components (except for gunpowder), and special means only in specially arranged premises oat immovable properties the address of which is in the licence.

(2) Gunpowder shall be manufactured in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations governing the handling of explosives and explosive devices for civil uses.

(3) A weapons dealer shall ensure such conditions at the place of manufacturing of weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means which prevent threats to the environment, human life, health, or property.

(4) A weapons dealer which has a certificate of the military manufacturer issued by the Ministry of Defence in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations governing the handling of goods of strategic significance is entitled to manufacture military weapons and special means in conformity with the conditions of Paragraph three of this Section. The commission established by the Ministry of Defence for the issuance of the certificate of the military manufacturer shall include, under the special conditions of the certificate, requirements for the manufacturing of the particular military weapon or special means indicated therein.

Section 80. Conditions for the Possession of Weapons, Ammunition, and Their Components

(1) A weapons dealer has the right to possess weapons, ammunition, and their components, gunpowder, gas weapons and signal weapons and their ammunition, pneumatic weapons and their ammunition, special means and non-firearm weapons, as well as the components of weapons necessary for the repair of weapons only in specially arranged premises at immovable properties the address of which is indicated in the licence.

(2) The weapons dealer which has received the licence referred to in Section 73, Paragraph three, Clause 1 of this Law has the right, upon informing the State Police, to accept for possession personal firearms of the corresponding category and type of natural persons and their exchangeable essential components, ammunition and its components (including gunpowder), magazines with the capacity of more than 10 rounds for a long-rifled firearm of Category A classified for sports, magazines with the capacity of more than 20 rounds for a short firearm of Category B classified for sports, high-energy pneumatic weapons and their ammunition for not longer than the term of validity indicated in the authorisation for the possession of the weapon, the authorisation for the carrying of the weapon, and the authorisation for the collection of weapons, as well as the term of operation of the licence of the merchant.

(3) A weapons dealer to which the certificate of the military manufacturer has been issued has the right to possess military weapons and special means, as well as the components necessary for their manufacturing or repair only in specially arranged premises at immovable properties the address of which is indicated in the certificate of the military manufacturer.

Section 81. Procedures for the Manufacturing, Acquisition, Registration, Possession, Transportation, Conveyance, Displaying in Exhibitions, Importing from a Third Country, Exporting to a Third Country, and Marketing of Weapons, Ammunition, Their Components, and Special Means

(1) The procedures by which a weapons dealer shall manufacture, acquire, register, accept into possession, possess, transport, convey, display in exhibitions, and market weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(2) The commission of the Ministry of Defence established for the issuance of the certificate of the military manufacturer shall include, under the special conditions of such certificate, requirements for the acquisition, registration, acceptance into possession, possession, transportation, conveyance, and displaying in exhibitions of the particular military weapon or special means indicated therein.

Section 82. Procedures for the Repair and Deactivation of Weapons and Converting of Firearms into Salute Weapons (Acoustic Weapons)

The procedures by which a weapons dealer shall repair and deactivate weapons and convert firearms into salute weapons (acoustic weapons) shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 83. Recording of Weapons, Essential Components of Firearms, and Ammunition

(1) A weapons dealer has an obligation, during the term of operation of the licence, to enter, within one working day in the Register of Weapons such information which allows the identification and tracing of all its:

1) manufactured, acquired, and marketed firearms, their essential components, ammunition, as well as the gunpowder acquired and sold;

2) manufactured, acquired, and marketed high-energy pneumatic weapons;

3) manufactured, acquired, and marketed gas weapons and signal weapons;

4) essential components of firearms replaced during repair and also the firearms or high-energy pneumatic weapons transferred or received for repair;

5) deactivated firearms and high-energy pneumatic weapons, as well as marketing of deactivated firearms;

6) firearms which have been converted into salute weapons (acoustic weapons);

7) firearms, ammunition, gunpowder accepted into possession.

(2) A weapons dealer to which the certificate of the military manufacturer has been issued shall, according to the procedures laid down in the special conditions of such certificate, provide information to the Ministry of Defence which allows identification and tracing of all the military weapons and special means manufactured, acquired, and sold thereby.

(3) The amount of the information and the procedures by which a weapons dealer shall include the information referred to in Paragraph one of this Section in the Register of Weapons shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(4) A weapons broker has an obligation, during the term of operation of the licence, to enter, within one working day, in the Register of Weapon such information which allows identification and tracing of all the firearms, their essential components, ammunition, and gunpowder acquired and sold with its intermediation.

(5) The amount of the information and the procedures by which a weapons broker shall include the information referred to in Paragraph four of this Section in the Register of Weapons shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[20 January 2022]

Section 84. Placement on the Market of Firearms and Their Essential Components

A weapons dealer shall place on the market only such firearms and their essential components which have been marked and registered in accordance with the requirements of this Law.

Section 85. Reporting on Suspicious Transactions

A weapons dealer and a weapons broker have an obligation to report to the State Police on suspicious transactions or attempts to make a suspicious transaction with firearms, their essential components, ammunition and its components (including gunpowder), gas weapons and signal weapons.

Chapter XVII
Marking and Uniform Recording of Weapons, Their Essential Components, and Ammunition

Section 86. Marking of Weapons, Their Essential Components, and Ammunition

(1) During manufacturing, a weapons dealer shall mark firearms, all their essential components, firearm ammunition packagings, high-energy pneumatic weapons, gas weapons and signal weapons with a clear and indelible marking.

(2) A weapons dealer, upon releasing firearms, their essential components and ammunition, high-energy pneumatic weapons, gas weapons and signal weapons into free circulation in Latvia, shall ensure that the firearms, all their essential components, ammunition packagings, high-energy pneumatic weapons, gas weapons and signal weapons are marked with a clear and indelible marking, except for the firearms or their essential components which have a special historical significance.

(3) The State and local government authorities to which the right to acquire, possess, and use firearms in their operation has been granted in accordance with the law shall ensure that prior to the marketing of firearms or their essential components to a private individual, except for the firearms or their essential components which have a special historical significance, they are marked with a clear and indelible marking.

(4) The procedures for the marking of firearms, their essential components and ammunition, high-energy pneumatic weapons, gas weapons and signal weapons shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(5) The commission established by the Ministry of Defence for the issuance of the certificate of the military manufacturer shall include requirements for the marking of the particular military weapon or special means indicated therein in the special conditions of such certificate.

Section 87. Uniform Recording of Weapons and Their Essential Components

(1) Firearms, their essential components and ammunition, high-energy pneumatic weapons, gas weapons and signal weapons, firearms converted into salute weapons (acoustic weapons), deactivated firearms, destroyed firearms of natural persons and legal persons of Latvia, of State and local government authorities (except for the National Armed Forces, the institutions of the system of the Ministry of the Interior, the Provision State Agency, and State security institutions) and the persons to whom the State Police has issued authorisations for weapons, and also the suppliers of firearms and their essential components shall be registered in the Register of Weapons.

(2) The holder and manager of the Register of Weapons shall be the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior.

(3) The Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior shall delete the information included in the Register of Weapons regarding firearms and their essential components from the Register when 30 years have passed from the day of destruction of firearms and their essential components.

(4) The amount of the information to be included in the Register of Weapons, the procedures for the inclusion, use, and deletion thereof, as well as the authorities to be granted with access to the information included in the abovementioned Register shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[20 January 2022]

Section 88. Control Collection of Bullets and Shell Cases

(1) At the State Police, control shots must be fired with all rifled firearms of the Categories A, B, and C that are in handling in Latvia (except for the firearms of the National Armed Forces and State security institutions) and in which the bullet comes into direct contact with the barrel at the moment of firing. The procedures by which the State Police shall store the control collection of bullets and shell cases shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(2) A natural and legal person shall submit a rifled firearm (also its exchangeable barrel) and the ammunition intended therefore (three rounds) to the State Police for the firing of control shots not later than within the five working days after import of the firearm or its exchangeable barrel into the Republic of Latvia (except for foreign citizens whose period of stay in the Republic of Latvia with rifled firearms does not exceed three months). The exchangeable barrel and breech block set of the rifled firearm shall be submitted for firing of control shots with the firearm for which it has been intended. The procedures for the firing of control shots shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(3) If a rifled firearm has been repaired and as the result of that the traces on the fired bullets and shell cases has changed, the performer of the repair shall deliver the firearm to the State Police within five working days after repair for the firing of control shots.

(4) The types of firearm repairs due to which the traces on the fired bullets and shell cases change shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(5) A State fee shall be paid for the firing of control shots. The amount and payment procedures of the State fee, as well as reliefs and exemptions from the State fee shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Chapter XVIII
Supervision of the Handling of Weapons, Ammunition, Their Components, and Special Means

Section 89. Control of the Handling of Weapons, Ammunition, Their Components, and Special Means

(1) The State Police shall control how natural and legal persons to which the State Police has issued the authorisations and licences referred to in this Law for the commercial activity with weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means conform to the provisions for the handling of weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means.

(2) A natural and legal person must, upon a request of a police officer or an official of such institution the competence of which includes control of the handling of weapons, present the weapon, ammunition, their components, special permit, and the authorisation for the relevant weapon.

(3) An employee of the State Police has the right, without a prior warning, to examine the conditions for the possession of firearms, ammunition, their components, and high-energy pneumatic weapons at the address indicated in the authorisation or licence for weapons.

(4) If a firearm, its essential component or ammunition, a high-energy pneumatic weapon, or a gas weapon and signal weapon has been lost or stolen, the nearest institution of the State Police shall be notified thereof without delay.

(5) The transportation or conveyance of weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means across the State border of the Republic of Latvia to a third country and from a third country shall be controlled by the State Border Guard and customs authorities according to their competence.

Section 90. Withdrawal of Weapons, Ammunition, Their Components, and Special Means

(1) An employee of the State Police or an official of another State administration institution is entitled to withdraw weapons, ammunition, their components, and special means of natural and legal persons according to their competence if:

1) the procedures for the handling of weapons, ammunition, their components, or special means have been violated;

2) it is necessary in proceedings of administrative violations or in criminal proceedings;

3) the natural or legal person for which the authorisation for the weapon has been cancelled or its operation has been suspended, or the term of validity of the authorisation for the weapon has expired does not transfer the weapon, ammunition, and their components to the State Police within the time period specified in Section 26, Paragraphs one and two of this Law;

4) the term of validity of the licence has expired or the licence has been cancelled;

5) the owner of the firearm or high-energy pneumatic weapon, or gas weapon and signal weapon has died or is absent without information as to whereabouts;

6) the legal person for which the weapons have been registered is being liquidated or discontinues the operation;

7) it is determined by a court ruling;

8) it is necessary to clarify the circumstances if the firearm, its essential component, or high-energy pneumatic weapon submitted for registration does not match the data specified in the laws and regulations regarding handling of weapons and ammunition which are verified by the State Police when registering the firearm, its essential component, or high-energy pneumatic weapon.

(2) If a person is suspected of committing a criminal offence or is held administratively liable for the administrative violation referred to in Section 23, Clause 7 of this Law, the State Police is entitled to temporarily withdraw the weapon, ammunition, and their components, as well as the authorisation for the weapon and to possess it while a decision to cancel the authorisation or to suspend its operation has not been taken or a ruling acquitting the person has not been rendered.

(3) The State Police has the right to temporarily withdraw and possess a weapon and ammunition if the person has been a victim in a traffic accident and is not able to ensure its further transportation or carrying or if there are justified suspicions that medical contraindications have occurred for the person, as well as in other cases in order to preclude the possibility of losing, stealing, or abusing the weapon or ammunition.

(4) The relatives of the deceased owner of the weapon or the persons who live at the address indicated in the relevant authorisation for weapons and at the address of the possession of gas weapons and signal weapons shall ensure that the State Police can withdraw weapons and ammunition.

(5) The procedures by which the State Police shall withdraw firearms, ammunition, and their components shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[20 January 2022]

Section 91. Actions with the Withdrawn Weapons, Ammunition, and Special Means

(1) If the decision to deprive of the right to acquire, possess, and carry a weapon or to cancel the authorisation, or not to extend its term of validity has been taken and such decision has entered into effect or the person has not extended the authorisation after the end of the term of validity thereof or has not received a new authorisation, the State Police shall store the transferred or withdrawn firearm, high-energy pneumatic weapon, ammunition, and their components for not more than 60 days.

(2) If the authorisation for the possession or carrying of a personal award weapon has been cancelled for the person, the State Police may store the personal award firearm, high-energy pneumatic weapon, and ammunition transferred by the person or withdrawn from the person until the end of the restriction on the right to acquire, possess, or carry weapons, but not longer than for a year after the day of entry into effect of the decision on the basis of a submission of the owner of the weapon.

(3) If the operation of the authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon, authorisation for the possession of a weapon, authorisation for the carrying of a weapon, or authorisation for the collection of weapons has been suspended for the person, the State Police shall store the weapon, ammunition, and their components transferred by the person or withdrawn from the person until the operation of the authorisation is renewed or the authorisation is cancelled.

(4) If the operation of the relevant authorisation for a weapon is renewed, the State Police shall store the weapon, ammunition, and their components transferred by the owner of the weapon or withdrawn from such person until the owner of the weapon receives them, but not longer than 30 days from the day when the decision to renew the operation of the relevant authorisation has been notified.

(5) In case of death or absence without information as to whereabouts of the owner of the firearm or high-energy pneumatic weapon, or gas weapon and signal weapon, the State Police shall store the transferred or withdrawn weapon, ammunition, and their components until ascertaining of heirs or finding of the person absent without information as to whereabouts, but not longer than 18 months from the day of the transfer or withdrawal of the weapon.

(6) In the case referred to in Section 90, Paragraph three of this Law, the State Police shall store the temporarily withdrawn weapon, ammunition, and their components until they are received by the owner of the weapon, but not longer than 90 days from the day of withdrawal.

(7) After the end of the time periods referred to in Paragraphs one, two, three, four, five, and six of this Section, the State Police shall transfer the weapons, ammunition, and their components for sale to a weapons dealer which has received the licence for the sale of firearms or, on the basis of a relevant submission, re-register to another person indicated in the submission who has received the authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon, or transfer to a weapons dealer for deactivation, or store according to the price list of paid services provided by the State Police, or take the decision to destroy them.

(8) A weapons dealer has an obligation to accept for sale firearms, ammunition, and their components or high-energy pneumatic weapons which have been withdrawn by the State Police, and after selling them to disburse consideration to their owner.

(9) If the weapon or ammunition transferred for sale cannot be marketed within 12 months after a markdown, the weapons dealer shall transfer it to the State Police which shall take the decide whether to destroy such weapon or ammunition or to include it in the collection of weapons and ammunition of national significance.

Section 92. Destruction of Weapons, Ammunition, and Special Means

(1) The State Police shall take the decision to destroy such transferred or withdrawn, and also confiscated weapons, their components, and deactivated weapons which have not been sold or are not fit for use, or have not been marked, for which the technical classification has been changed, or which have been converted for shooting in bursts or for concealed carrying, and to destroy unmarked ammunition or special means if it is not useful to include them in the collection of weapons and ammunition of national significance.

(2) The transferred or withdrawn, and also confiscated weapons, their components, ammunition, deactivated weapons, as well as special means shall be destroyed by the Provision State Agency.

(3) The procedures for the destruction of weapons, ammunition, and their components, as well as deactivated weapons and special means shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 93. Converting of a Firearm into a Salute Weapon (Acoustic Weapon)

(1) The State Police is the institution which shall verify whether the firearm has been converted into a salute weapon (acoustic weapon) according to the specified technical specifications. The technical specification for the converting of a firearm into a salute weapon (acoustic weapon) shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(2) A State fee shall be paid for the issuance of a certification of a salute weapon (acoustic weapon). The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which a certification of a salute weapon (acoustic weapon) is issued and registered, as well as the procedures by which and the amount in which the State fee for the issuance of a certification of a salute weapon (acoustic weapon) shall be paid.

Chapter XIX
Conditions for the Handling of Weapons of State and Local Government Authorities, Foreign Consular and Diplomatic Authorities

Section 94. Procedures for the Acquisition, Use, Application, Possession, Carrying, Marketing, Transportation, and Conveyance of Weapons, Ammunition, and Special Means

(1) The procedures for the acquisition, use, application, possession, carrying, marketing, transportation, and conveyance of the weapons, ammunition, and special means in the possession of the National Armed Forces, the institutions of the system of the Ministry of the Interior, State security institutions, Latvijas Banka, the State Revenue Service, the Prison Administration, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, the Latvian Cadet Force and Information Centre, the Provision State Agency, the port police, and the municipal police, for the practice shooting and repair thereof, and also the procedures for the converting of the weapons necessary for training shall be determined by the laws and regulations governing the operation of such authorities.

(2) The State or local government authorities referred to in Paragraph one of this Section may temporarily transfer the weapons in the possession of such authorities which conform to the classification of weapons specified in Section 15, Paragraph two of this Law to the sports confederation which conforms to the criteria specified in Section 15, Paragraph two of this Law for use without compensation. The State and local government authorities shall transfer weapons to the sports federation in accordance with the Law on Prevention of Squandering of the Financial Resources and Property of a Public Person.

[23 September 2021]

Section 95. Shooting Galleries of State and Local Government Authorities

The State and local government authorities referred to in Section 94 of this Law have the right to establish shooting galleries without the permission of the local government in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the operation of such authorities.

Section 96. Procedures for the Transporting of Weapons and Ammunition Across the State Border of the Republic of Latvia by Military Persons and Employees of Law Enforcement Institutions

The procedures by which the staff of State institutions and of the National Armed Forces and persons of foreign armed forces in order to perform service tasks coordinated with the National Armed Forces, as well as employees of foreign interior or security services who have arrived to perform service tasks coordinated with the Ministry of the Interior shall cross the state border of the Republic of Latvia with weapons and ammunition shall be determined by the laws and regulations governing the operation of the relevant State authorities and the National Armed Forces.

Section 97. Rights of Employees of Foreign Diplomatic and Consular Representations, High-ranking Foreign Officials and Employees of Their Security Service to Import, Acquire, Possess, Carry, Use, and Operate Weapons and Ammunition in Latvia

(1) Foreign diplomatic and consular representations accredited in Latvia and employees of foreign diplomatic and consular representations who have been accredited in Latvia may, after agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and receipt of the permission of the State Police, acquire, possess, carry, use and apply semi-automatic, repeating, or single-shot short firearms of Category B for the performance of service tasks in accordance with Sections 65 and 66 of this Law.

(2) Employees of foreign diplomatic and consular representations who have been accredited in Latvia may import into and export from Latvia firearms and their ammunition after receipt of the authorisation for the transportation or conveyance of weapons issued by the State Police. The imported weapons shall be registered with the State Police within five working days from the day of their importing. A foreign diplomatic or consular representation accredited in Latvia shall possess the firearms and ammunition in its weapons depository at the address indicated in the authorisation for the possession of weapons, but employees who have received the authorisation for the carrying of such weapons - in the abovementioned weapons depository or at his or her place of residence indicated in the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon.

(3) The procedures by which the State Police shall issue weapons authorisations to employees of foreign diplomatic and consular representations who have been accredited in Latvia shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(4) During visits of officials of foreign diplomatic and consular representations, high-ranking foreign officials, or officials of international organisations the officials and employees of their security guard services shall be permitted, after receipt of the agreement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to carry semi-automatic, repeating, or single-shot short firearms of Category B during the period and at the place of the fulfilment of service duties in Latvia, as well as to use and apply them in accordance with Sections 65 and 66 of this Law. Upon a request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Police shall provide information regarding the conformity of the weapons applied for import and export by officials of foreign diplomatic and consular representations, high-ranked foreign officials, or officials of international organisations with the category of Category B semi-automatic, repeating, or single-shot short firearm.

Chapter XX
Administrative Offences in the Field of the Handling of Weapons, Ammunitions, Their Components, and Special Means and Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings

[20 February 2020 / Chapter shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 18 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 98. Violation of the Provisions of the Handling of Weapons, Ammunition, Their Components, and Special Means

(1) For violation of the provisions of the handling of a gas weapon and signal weapon or their ammunition, a fine from ten to one hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person but a fine from twenty to two hundred units of fine - on a legal person.

(2) For violation of the provisions of the handling of a low-energy pneumatic weapon, an airsoft weapon, a paintball weapon, a lasertag device, a deactivated weapon, a non-firearm weapon, or special means, a fine from ten to one hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person but a fine from twenty to two hundred units of fine - on a legal person.

(3) For violation of the provisions of the handling of a firearm, a salute weapon (acoustic weapon), a high-energy pneumatic weapon, an exchangeable essential component of a firearm, a fire sound suppressor (silencer), or ammunition of a firearm or salute weapon (acoustic weapon) or a component of ammunition that has been committed by a person who has a relevant authorisation for weapons, a fine from twenty to one hundred and fifty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person by depriving this person of the right of acquisition, possession, and carrying of a firearm and a high-energy pneumatic weapon for a period from one to three years or without it, but a fine from forty to three hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a legal person by depriving this person of the right of acquisition and possession of a firearm, a salute weapon (acoustic weapon), and a high-energy pneumatic weapon for a period from one to three years or without it.

[20 February 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 18 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 99. Activities Involving Weapons While Under the Influence of Alcohol, Narcotic, or Other Intoxicating Substances

(1) For acquiring, carrying, transporting, using, or applying a firearm, a gas weapon and a salute weapon, a pneumatic weapon, an airsoft weapon, a paintball weapon, a lasertag device, or a deactivated weapon or for acquiring or transporting an exchangeable essential component of a firearm under the influence of alcohol if the alcohol concentration detected in the exhaled air or the blood alcohol concentration detected in a blood test exceeds 0.5 per mille, and also under the influence of narcotic, psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances, a fine from two hundred to four hundred units of fine shall be imposed by depriving the right of acquisition, possession, and carrying of a firearm or a high-energy pneumatic weapon for a period from one to three years.

(2) For refusing to submit a medical test for alcohol concentration, a test for narcotic, psychotropic, toxic, or other intoxicating substances, a fine from two hundred to four hundred units of fine shall be imposed by depriving the right of acquisition, possession, and carrying of a firearm or a high-energy pneumatic weapon for a period from one to three years.

[20 February 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 18 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 100. Activities of Shooting Instructors and Shooting Coaches without a Certificate

For activity of a shooting instructor or a shooting coach without a relevant certificate, a fine from one hundred to one hundred and fifty units of fine shall be imposed.

[20 February 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 18 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 101. Violation of the Procedures for the Commercial Handling of Weapons, Ammunition, and Special Means

For violation of the procedures for the commercial handling of a weapon, ammunition, their components, or special means that has been committed by a legal person to whom a special permit (licence) has been issued for the performance of the relevant commercial activity, a fine from fifty to three hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a legal person.

[20 February 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 18 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 102. Commercial Activity Without a Special Permit (Licence) in the Field of the Handling of Weapons

For commercial activities involving weapons, ammunition, and special means, components of firearms and ammunition (including gunpowder) without a special permit (licence), a fine from three hundred to four hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person or a member of board by depriving him or her of the right to hold specific offices in commercial companies for a period from one to five years or without it.

[20 February 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 18 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 103. Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings

The administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Sections 98, 99, 100, 101, and 102 of this Law shall be conducted by the State Police.

[20 February 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 18 of Transitional Provisions]

Transitional Provisions

1. With the coming into force of this Law, the Law on the Handling of Weapons and Special Means (Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2010, No. 183; 2011, No. 112; 2012, No. 18; 2013, No. 128; 2014, No. 38; 2015, No. 64; 2016, No. 117), is repealed.

2. The Cabinet shall, by 31 December 2019, issue the regulations referred to in Section 27, Paragraph six, Section 28, Paragraphs one and three, Section 34, Paragraph two, Section 70, Paragraph three, Section 71, Paragraph ten, Section 72, Paragraph eleven, Section 88, Paragraphs one, two, four, and five of this Law. Until the date of coming into force of the relevant Cabinet regulations, but not longer than until 31 December 2019, the following Cabinet regulations shall be applicable, insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law:

1) Cabinet Regulation No. 840 of 1 November 2011, Regulations Regarding the Establishment and Operation of Shooting Galleries (Shooting Stands) and the Taking Place and Safety of Shooting Practice and Shooting Sports Competitions;

2) Cabinet Regulation No. 80 of 24 January 2012, Regulations Regarding the Procedures for the Conducting of the Qualification Examination as to the Handling of Weapons and Ammunition and the Ability to Handle a Weapon and the Procedures for the Payment and the Amount of the State Fee;

3) Cabinet Regulation No. 418 of 22 July 2014, Regulations Regarding Health Examinations for Persons Possessing (Carrying) Weapons and Performing Work with Weapons;

4) Cabinet Regulation No. 743 of 2 January 2014, Procedures for the Firing of a Control Shot, as well as the Amount and Procedures for Payment of the State Fee;

5) Cabinet Regulation No. 348 of 30 June 2015, Procedures by which the State Police shall Create a Weapons Collection of National Significance, a Control Collection of Bullets and Shell Cases, and a Collection of Samples of Weapons and Ammunition;

6) Cabinet Regulation No. 502 of 2 August 2016, Regulations Regarding the Certification of Shooting Instructors.

3. The Cabinet shall, by 13 December 2019, issue the regulations referred to in Section 27, Paragraph six, Clause 3, Section 72, Paragraph ten, Section 73, Paragraph nine, Section 83, Paragraphs three and five, and Section 87, Paragraph four of this Law. Until the date of coming into force of the relevant Cabinet regulations, but not longer than until 13 December 2019, the following Cabinet regulations shall be applicable, insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law:

1) Cabinet Regulation No. 1012 of 27 December 2011, Procedures for the Uniform Recording of Firearms, High-energy Pneumatic Weapons, and Gas Pistols (Revolvers);

2) Cabinet Regulation No. 63 of 10 February 2015, Regulations Regarding the Register of Licences and Certificates.

4. The legal framework included in Section 58, Paragraph two of this Law in relation to the registration of firearms which have been deactivated in accordance with the technical specifications specified in Regulation 2015/2403 in the Register of Weapons shall come into force on 14 December 2019.

5. The legal framework included in Section 73, Paragraph eight of this Law in relation to the registration of weapons brokers and dealers which have receive the licence for the deactivation of weapons of Categories A, B, C, and D and for the converting of weapons of Category A, B, and C into salute weapons (acoustic weapons) in the Register of Licences and Certificates shall come into force on 14 December 2019.

6. The legal framework included in Section 83, Paragraphs one and four of this Law in relation to entering of information in the Register of Weapons shall come into force on 14 December 2019. Until 13 December 2019:

1) a weapons dealer shall, within five working days, provide the following information to the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior regarding the acquisition of each firearm, its exchangeable essential component, high-energy pneumatic weapon, gas weapon and signal weapon:

a) the date when the weapon or exchangeable essential component of a firearm has been acquired or imported into Latvia, and the country in which the weapon has been acquired;

b) information regarding the legal person from which the goods have been acquired: its name, single registration number, legal address, licence number of the weapons dealer or number and date of the issuance of the authorisation for the sale of a weapon, the number and date of the corroborative document;

c) information regarding the natural person from whom the goods have been acquired: his or her given name, surname, and personal identity number or date of birth; if a personal identity number has not been granted - the number and date of the issuance of the authorisation for the sale of a weapon;

d) the address of such weapons depository of a weapons dealer in which the weapon acquired or an individual exchangeable essential component of a firearm is stored;

e) the number, type, and category of the acquired weapons and exchangeable essential components of firearms;

f) information regarding the name of the manufacturer or the brand of the manufacturer and serial number of a high-energy pneumatic weapon or gas weapon and signal weapon;

g) information regarding the marking of the firearm, indicating each name of the manufacturer or brand of the manufacturer of essential components of the firearm (individual exchangeable essential components thereof), the country of manufacture, or the name of the place of manufacture (city or municipality), serial number, at least two last digits of the year of manufacture, if it is not a part of the serial number, model with the alpha-numeric designator (if such has been indicated). If the essential component is too small and all the abovementioned information is not indicated on it, information regarding at least the serial number or alpha-numeric code of such component shall be provided;

h) information regarding the calibre of the firearm (its exchangeable barrel or barrel which can be fitted, or adapter);

2) a weapons dealer shall, within five working days, provide the following information to the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior regarding the sale of each firearm, its exchangeable essential component, high-energy pneumatic weapon, gas weapon and signal weapon:

a) the date of sale of the weapon or the exchangeable barrel of the firearm;

b) information regarding the legal person to which the goods have been sold: its name, single registration number, legal address, licence number of the weapons dealer or number and date of the issuance of the authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon, the number and date of the corroborative document;

c) information regarding the natural person to whom the goods have been sold: his or her given name, surname, and personal identity number or date of birth; if a personal identity number has not been granted - the number and date of the issuance of the authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon;

d) the type and category of the marketed weapon;

e) information regarding the name of the manufacturer or the brand of the manufacturer and serial number of a high-energy pneumatic weapon or gas weapon and signal weapon;

f) information regarding the marking of the firearm, indicating each name of the manufacturer or brand of the manufacturer of essential components of the firearm (individual exchangeable essential components thereof), the country of manufacture, or the name of the place of manufacture (city or municipality), serial number, at least two last digits of the year of manufacture, if it is not a part of the serial number, model with the alpha-numeric designator (if such has been indicated). If the essential component is too small and all the abovementioned information is not indicated on it, information regarding at least the serial number or alpha-numeric code of such component shall be provided;

g) information regarding the calibre of the firearm (its exchangeable barrel or barrel which can be fitted, or adapter).

7. Persons who have such firearms in their ownership which have been manufactured until 1899, are intended for firing of fixed ammunition, and, in accordance with the requirements referred to in this Law, should be classified for a collection, shall register them with the State Police until 31 December 2019 by presenting the firearm and submitting a submission in which their personal data and information regarding the relevant firearm (type, make, model, marking) shall be indicated, and shall receive the authorisation for the collection of weapons in conformity with the requirements laid down in this Law, or shall re-register them to another person who has the authorisation for the collection of weapons, or shall hand over to the State Police or the Latvian War Museum.

8. The authorisation for the possession of a weapon, the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon, and the authorisation for the collection of weapons which had been issued for an indefinite period until the day of coming into force of this Law shall be valid until 14 September 2023.

9. The authorisation for the carrying of a weapon which had been issued for 10 years until the day of coming into force of this Law shall be valid until the time period indicated in the authorisation, but not longer than until 14 September 2023.

10. Persons to whom, prior to the day of coming into force of this Law, an authorisation for the possession of a weapon or an authorisation for the carrying of a weapon has been issued for semi-automatic firearms of Categories B or C classified for self-defence, hunting, or sports which, in accordance with the requirements of this Law, are classified as weapons of Category A that are not intended for self-defence, hunting, or sports, have the right to possess, carry, transport, and alienate the relevant firearms and their magazines in conformity with the requirements of this Law and other laws.

11. Legal persons the professional activities of which are implemented in the field of culture or in historical re-enactments and which have in their ownership salute weapons (acoustic weapons) that, in accordance with the requirements laid down in this Law, should be classified for the field of culture or for historical re-enactments, shall, by 31 December 2019, register them with the State Police by presenting the salute weapon (acoustic weapon) and submitting a submission in which their personal data and information regarding the relevant salute weapon (acoustic weapon) (type, make, model, marking, as well as the number and date of the issuance of a certification issued by the State Police) are indicated, and shall receive the authorisation for the possession of a weapon in conformity with the requirements laid down in this Law, or shall re-register it to another legal person the professional activities of which are implemented in the field of culture or historical re-enactments and which has the authorisation for the possession of a weapon, or shall hand it over to the State Police.

12. Persons who, prior to the day of coming into force of this Law, have acquired and registered gas pistols (revolvers) or have acquired signal weapons which, in accordance with the requirements laid down in this Law, should be classified for self-defence or collection shall, by 14 September 2023, register them with the State Police by presenting the relevant weapons and submitting a submission in which their personal data and information regarding the relevant weapon (type, make, model, marking) are indicated, and shall receive the authorisation for the possession of a weapon, the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon, or the authorisation for the collection of weapons in conformity with the requirements laid down in this Law, or shall re-register it to another person which has the relevant weapons authorisation, or shall market it with the intermediation of a weapons dealer of the Republic of Latvia, or shall transfer it to the State Police.

13. The term of validity of the special licences (permits) issued to weapons dealers until the day of coming into force of this Law shall be 14 September 2023.

14. Weapons dealers to which, until the day of coming into force of this Law, the special permit (licence) that gives the right to perform commercial activity involving gas pistols (revolvers) and ammunition has been issued shall perform commercial activity with the gas weapons specified in Section 5, Paragraph four of this Law until 17 January 2020 in accordance with the requirements laid down in this Law which apply to gas weapons and signal weapons of Category E.

15. Weapons dealers to which, until the day of coming into force of this Law, the special permit (licence) that gives the right to perform commercial activity involving gas pistols (revolvers) and ammunition has been issued shall perform commercial activity with the gas weapons specified in Section 5, Paragraph four of this Law after 17 January 2020 if the licence for the commercial activity with firearms of Category B has been received in accordance with the requirements laid down in this Law. Until 14 September 2023, a new licence shall not be required for weapons dealers which, until the day of coming into force of this Law, have received the special licence (permit) giving them the right to perform the commercial activity involving firearms and ammunition.

16. The statements issued by the State Police that weapons have been deactivated shall be valid for the possession and carrying of deactivated weapons, for the transportation of a deactivated weapon in the territory of Latvia, as well as for the possession and transportation of a deactivated high-energy pneumatic weapon. Deactivated firearms in relation to which there are statements issued by the State Police on the deactivation thereof may be exported from Latvia, imported into Latvia, acquired, or sold in accordance with the requirements of this Law if the deactivation certification specified in Regulation 2015/2403 has been received.

17. The framework in Sections 24 and 26 of this Law in relation to the suspension of authorisations for the acquisition, marketing, possession, and carrying of a hunting, sports, collection, and self-defence firearm on the basis of the decision of the Administration of the Maintenance Guarantee Fund, shall come into force concurrently with the coming into force of amendments to the Maintenance Guarantee Fund Law in relation to the suspension of authorisations for the acquisition, marketing, possession, and carrying of a hunting, sports, collection, and self-defence firearm.

18. Chapter XX of this Law shall come into force concurrently with the Law on Administrative Liability.

[20 February 2020]

Informative Reference to European Union Directives

[20 February 2020]

This Law contains legal norms arising from:

1) Council Directive 91/477/EEC of 18 June 1991 on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons;

2) Directive 2008/51/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 amending Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons;

3) Directive (EU) 2017/853 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 amending Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons;

4) Commission Implementing Directive (EU) 2019/69 of 16 January 2019 laying down technical specifications for alarm and signal weapons under Council Directive 91/477/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons.

The Saeima has adopted this Law on 14 March 2019.

President R. Vējonis

Adopted 27 March 2019

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¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2022 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)