Text consolidated by Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre) with amending laws of: 8 July 2011 [shall come into force from 21 July 2011]; 19 January 2012 [shall come into force from 15 February 2012]; 13 June 2013 [shall come into force from 1 October 2013]. 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 Saeima¹ has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following Law:

Law On the Handling of Weapons and Special Means

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Terms Used in This Law

The following terms are used in this Law:

1) antique firearms - firearms which have been manufactured until 1899;

2) handling - the manufacture (production), repair, acquisition, sale, collecting, export and import of weapons, ammunition, special means and the parts thereof, the bringing in and out from the Republic of Latvia, the inheritance, recording, displaying in exhibitions or demonstration, utilisation and use of the referred to objects, the awarding therewith, the possession, carrying, transportation, conveyance, withdrawing, alienation and destruction thereof;

3) non-automatic firearm - a firearm in which a new cartridge from a magazine or a cylinder is loaded 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 utilising human muscle strength or special mechanisms;

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

6) service firearms - firearms belonging to State and local government authorities and legal persons governed by private law, which have the right to acquire, possess and utilise in the operations thereof firearms allocated in accordance with the law, intended for the fulfilment of service or work duties;

7) export - the bringing out from Latvia of weapons, ammunition, special means and the parts thereof manufactured in Latvia or brought in from other countries, for sale in other European Union Member States, European Economic Area States or in other countries;

8) 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;

9) long firearm - a firearm with a barrel not exceeding 300 millimetres or with the overall length exceeding 600 millimetres;

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

11) gas pistol (revolver) - a weapon whose construction is intended solely for cartridges with elementary entities of gas containing irritating or paralysing substances in order to have a short-term effect on the organism of a human;

12) possession - the keeping of weapons, ammunition, special means and the parts thereof at a permitted location in compliance with the specified safety requirements;

13) smooth-bore firearm - a firearm of which at least two thirds of the bore is smooth, measuring from the cartridge chamber;

14) acquisition - the acquisition of weapons, ammunition, special means and the parts thereof in the ownership or possession;

15) weapon - an object or mechanism specially made for the destruction or damage of live or inanimate targets;

16) copy of a weapon - a precise copy of the original weapon, which is not functional and has only a source of reference or decorative functions;

17) transportation of a weapon - transportation, carrying or other moving with oneself of an unloaded weapon packaged separately from ammunition in a way that the use thereof is impossible;

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

19) import - the bringing in Latvia of weapons, ammunition, special means and the parts thereof manufactured in other European Union Member States and European Economic Area States or other countries for selling in the local market;

20) short firearm - a firearm with a barrel not exceeding 300 millimetres or with the overall length not exceeding 600 millimetres;

21) manufacture - industrial, artisan or individual production of different types of weapons, ammunition, special means and the parts thereof;

22) calibre - the internal diameter of the bore of a firearm, an approximate size of a shell or a shell case;

23) classification - the division of weapons, ammunition and special means into categories corresponding to the technical parameters and use thereof;

24) collection - a stock of weapons or ammunition of scientific technical, artistic, historical, criminal or other reference source importance;

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

26) marking - the incorporation of special marks or numbers on a weapon or essential components thereof and ammunition, which allow them to be differentiated from other weapons or essential components thereof and ammunition;

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

28) military firearms and special means - firearms and special means manufactured specially for military purposes, for the destruction or damage of live or inanimate targets, and the ammunition, parts and accessories of these weapons and special means;

29) ammunition - objects, which have been structurally manufactured for making a shot and intended for the destruction or damage of live or inanimate targets;

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

31) conveyance - movement of weapons, ammunition, special means or the parts thereof by mail, in luggage or through the intermediation of third persons;

32) cartridge - ammunition of a firearm or gas pistol (revolver) (with or without a shell), in which the propellant (gunpowder), firing device (cap) and shell (not mandatory) have been combined in a unit;

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

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

35) sale - the sale, change, giving as a gift, re-registration or other type of handing over of weapons, ammunition, special means or the parts thereof in the ownership or possession of another person;

36) salute cartridge - a cartridge without a shell which is intended to imitate shooting, saluting or giving a signal;

37) special means - chemical substances, objects or mechanisms that are intended for self-defence or securing of public order and safety, but are not weapons;

38) firearm - a portable weapon, with or without a barrel, in which a shell receives the energy for directional movement as a result of the gas pressure from the burning of gunpowder;

39) essential component of a firearm - the barrel, including exchangeable barrels and adapters provided for changing the calibre, the lock, cartridge compartment (cartridge cylinder, mechanism box or frame), which is included in the firearm category;

40) firearm part - any element or replacement element specifically designed for a firearm and essential to its operation, including a barrel, frame, receiver, mechanism box or frame, cartridge cylinder, bolt or breech block, and any device which has been designed or adapted to diminish the sound caused by firing a firearm, as well as a flame dowser;

41) shell - a bullet, canister, pellet, arrow or other objects or substances, which are intended or adapted for shooting from a weapon or which have been shot from a weapon;

42) traumatic firearm - a firearm whose construction is intended solely for cartridges with a reduced amount of gunpowder or other propellant, whose cartridge shell is manufactured from such material which reduces the likelihood of causing bodily injuries hazardous to human or animal life;

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

44) 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 in Latvia as smooth-bore firearms.

[13 June 2013]

Section 2. Purpose of this Law

The purpose of this Law is to determine the rights and obligations of State authorities and private individuals in relation to the handling of weapons, ammunition, special means and the parts thereof in Latvia, as well as to specify the classification of such objects and the prohibitions and restrictions in respect of these objects in order to ensure the safety of persons and of the public.

Section 3. Scope of Application of the Law

(1) This Law shall apply to weapons, ammunition, special means and the parts thereof, except:

1) antique firearms and copies thereof if a shot cannot be fired from them with a cartridge intended for prohibited firearms or for firearms the handling of which requires a State Police authorisation;

2) copies of weapons and weapons which have been deactivated - rendered unusable for firing a shot in such a way that all the essential components of the firearm have been rendered permanently inoperable and incapable of removal, replacement or a modification that would permit the firearm to be reactivated in any way, if such changes have been officially approved by the State Police;

3) industrially manufactured certified instruments in which the principles or constructions of firearm operation have been utilised and which may be utilised only for the purposes intended;

4) underwater hunting weapons and ammunition thereof;

5) markers propelled by compressed gas, which resemble firearms and are shot by gelatine balls containing food colouring which breaks on the target, marking it thereby (paintball guns);

6) objects which are operated by electrical motor, spring or compressed gas, which resemble firearms and are intended for firing with plastic balls, with the initial energy not exceeding 4 joules.

(2) An object which is intended, or may be adapted so that a shell is fired as a result of the effect of gunpowder shall be considered a firearm, if it resembles a firearm or is concealed as another object and the structure or material thereof, from which it has been manufactured, enables the modification thereof for a shell to be fired as a result of the effect of gunpowder, except objects which:

1) have been deactivated;

2) are intended for raising an alarm, signalling, lifesaving, animal slaughter, fishing by harpoon or for industrial or technical requirements, where they may only be used for the purposes concerned.

Chapter II
Classification of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

Section 4. Classification of Weapons and Ammunition in Latvia

(1) In Latvia, only the handling of firearms, ammunition and high energy pneumatic weapons (except the handling of military weapons and ammunition), which are classified with the State Police is permitted.

(2) Weapons and ammunition shall be classified by dividing them according to the technical parameters and use.

(3) Weapons and ammunition of one type, mark (system), model and calibre, as well as high energy pneumatic weapons may be classified by different methods of use.

(4) The procedures by which the State Police shall classify firearms, ammunition and high energy pneumatic weapons shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 5. Classification of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means in Conformity with the Use Thereof

Weapons, ammunition and special means shall be classified as follows in conformity with the use thereof:

1) military firearms, ammunition and special means;

2) service firearms, gas weapons, pneumatic weapons, ammunition and special means intended for the protection of public order and safety or for the fulfilment of service or work duties;

3) self-defence weapons, ammunition and special means;

4) hunting weapons and ammunition thereof;

5) sports weapons and ammunition thereof;

6) collection weapons and ammunition thereof.

Section 6. Technical Classification of Weapons and Ammunition

(1) Category A weapons and ammunition are the following:

1) military weapons and ammunition thereof;

2) automatic firearms;

3) firearms disguised as other objects;

4) cartridges of pistols and revolvers with expansive bullets (the bullet of a firearm which having entered a target splits or expands) or hollow-pointed bullets, except ammunition of hunting and sport firearms.

(2) Category B weapons and ammunition are the following:

1) semi-automatic or non-automatic short firearms;

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

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

4) semi-automatic long firearms the total capacity of cartridge chamber and magazine (cartridge feeding mechanism) of which is more than three cartridges;

5) semi-automatic long firearms the total capacity of cartridge chamber and magazine of which is not more than three cartridges, but the magazine is movable, or which utilising simple instruments may be modified into such a firearm the total capacity of cartridge chamber and magazine of which is more than three cartridges;

6) non-automatic and semi-automatic smooth-bore firearms whose total barrel length does not exceed 600 millimetres;

7) semi-automatic firearms, which are not military firearms and resemble automatic firearms.

(3) Category C weapons are the following:

1) non-automatic long firearms, except the firearms referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 6 of this Section;

2) long firearms with single-shot rifled barrels;

3) semi-automatic long-barrelled firearms except the firearms referred to in Paragraph two, Clauses 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this Section;

4) single-shot short firearms the total length of which is not less than 280 millimetres and the ammunition of which are rimfire cartridges.

(4) Category D firearms are single-shot long firearms with smooth-bore barrels.

(5) The category of pneumatic weapons includes high energy pneumatic weapons and low energy pneumatic weapons.

Section 7. Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means for Self-Defence

(1) The following weapons, ammunition and special means are permitted for self-defence in Latvia:

1) Category B semi-automatic, non-automatic or single-shot short firearms (pistols and revolvers) classified for self-defence, whose calibre does not exceed 9 millimetres, and the ammunition thereof, except the traumatic firearms of this category and the ammunition thereof;

2) Category B, C and D long smooth-bore firearms, including traumatic firearms classified for self defence, and their cartridges the length of whose shell does not exceed 76,2 millimetres;

3) semi-automatic, non-automatic or single-shot gas pistols (revolvers) intended for self-defence and the ammunition thereof, including salute cartridges provided for them;

4) gas cylinders intended for self-defence;

5) electric shock devices intended for self-defence;

6) sound devices of psychological effect for scaring off aggressive animals, intended for self-defence.

(2) The following irritant substances (lacrimators) may be used in the ammunition of gas pistols (revolvers) and gas cylinders intended for self-defence:

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

2) O-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile CS (CAS 2698-41-1);

3) Oleoresin Capsicum, Capsaicin OC (pepper spray, including Teren-1 and Skorpion 5003, but excluding Teren-4, Teren-6, PMKK+CS and Rezeda) (CAS 8023-77-6);

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

[13 June 2013]

Chapter III
Prohibitions in Respect of Handling Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

Section 8. General Prohibitions

The following is prohibited in Latvia:

1) the handling of weapons, ammunition and special means prohibited in international agreements binding to Latvia, except the withdrawing and destruction thereof;

2) the handling of unclassified firearms, the ammunition thereof and high energy pneumatic weapons;

3) the handling of unmarked firearms and the essential components thereof, as well as unmarked ammunition, unmarked high energy pneumatic weapons and unmarked gas pistols (revolvers);

4) the handling of home-made firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons and home-made ammunition, except the assembly of cartridges for hunting and sport firearms from industrially produced parts or home-made pellets, canisters or bullets;

5) the acquisition, possession, carrying or sale of firearms, which do not conform to technical regulations or firearms with a modified technical classification, as well as firearms modified for shooting in bursts, or concealed carrying, or high energy pneumatic weapons;

6) the manufacture and sale of such toys which by the external appearance thereof are copies of industrially manufactured firearms;

7) the handling of self-made gas pistols (revolvers) and their ammunition, as well as adjustment of gas pistols (revolvers) (including unscrewing of structurally intended barrel restraints) or other altering for shooting with cartridges of firearms and ammunition of another type, which is not intended for self-defence gas pistols (revolvers);

8) altering of firearms for shooting with cartridges of gas pistols (revolvers).

[13 June 2013]

Section 9. Prohibitions for Natural Persons and Legal Persons

(1) Natural persons are prohibited:

1) to acquire, possess, carry, sell, utilise and use gas grenades, ammunition filled with substances with an irritating or paralysing effect and are not intended for gas pistols (revolvers), light and sound devices with a psychological effect, underwater firearms and the ammunition thereof, electric shock pistols with leads and electrodes;

2) to acquire, possess and sell ammunition whose shell is filled with medicine intended to temporarily put to sleep, paralyse or kill animals and weapons specially intended for such ammunition;

3) to carry such non-firearm weapons specially intended to inflict bodily injuries, except non-firearm weapons for hunters, fishermen and anglers for hunting, fishing and angling, non-firearm weapons for athletes intended for the relevant type of sport, for competitions or training and non-firearm weapons used by participants of cultural events in displays, parades and other official cultural events;

4) to acquire, possess, carry, sell, utilise and use firearms which have been rendered usable for shooting only with salute cartridges.

(2) Natural persons and legal persons are prohibited to manufacture, acquire, possess, carry, use, utilise and sell any weapons with sawn-off or re-bored barrels, sawn-off butts, firearms with enlarged magazine capacity, as well as to carry, utilise and use firearms and high energy pneumatic weapons with dismounted butts and to possess, carry and transport deactivated firearms and high energy pneumatic weapons without a statement from the State Police that the weapon has been deactivated.

(3) Natural persons and legal persons are prohibited to manufacture, acquire, possess, carry, sell, utilise and use:

1) concentrated and directed energy weapons (systems of lasers, beams of elementary particles or high power radio frequency that are able to destroy or paralyse the target);

2) Category A weapons, and ammunition and parts thereof;

3) firearms disguised as other objects;

4) mufflers of shooting noise (silencers) and flame dowsers, as well as firearms equipped therewith;

5) Category B semi-automatic, non-automatic or single-shot short traumatic firearms and the ammunition thereof;

6) ammunition filled with nerve paralysing gases or the ammunition of such gas pistols (revolvers) containing rubber pellets, bullets or other solid form shells or that are capable of causing bodily injury or the death of a person shooting from a distance of more than a metre;

7) gas grenades, ammunition filled with substances of irritating and paralysing effect and not intended for gas pistols (revolvers), light and sound devices of psychological effect;

8) the semi-finished parts of essential components of firearms and essential components of firearms, except the acquisition, selling, possession and utilisation of exchangeable barrel and lock set of firearms, the exchangeable barrel of firearms, the exchangeable barrel and adapter provided for changing the calibre (hereinafter - exchangeable barrels).

[13 June 2013]

Section 10. Exceptions to the Prohibitions Specified for Natural Persons and Legal Persons

(1) The prohibitions referred to in Section 9, Paragraph three of this Law shall not apply to the National Armed Forces.

(2) The prohibitions for the acquisition, possession, carrying, selling, utilising and using of the weapons, parts and ammunition thereof and special means referred to in Section 9, Paragraph three of this Law (except concentrated and directed energy weapons) shall not apply to the Constitution Protection Bureau, institutions of the system of the Ministry of the Interior for which service firearms are provided for, the Latvian Prison Administration, the Military Intelligence and Security Service and the Security Department of the Bank of Latvia.

(3) The prohibitions for the manufacture of weapons, ammunition thereof and special means and the prohibitions for the acquisition of the essential components of firearms referred to in Section 9, Paragraph three of this Law (except concentrated and directed energy weapons filled with nerve paralysing gases) shall not apply to merchants who have been issued a special authorisation (licence) for the manufacture of firearms.

(4) The prohibitions for the acquisition of the essential components of firearms referred to in Section 9, Paragraph three of this Law shall not apply to merchants who have been issued a special authorisation (licence) for the manufacture or repair of firearms.

(5) The prohibitions for the acquisition, possession and utilisation of mufflers of shooting noise (silencers) and flame dowsers, as well as firearms equipped therewith referred to in Section 9, Paragraph three of this Law, shall not apply to legal persons who have received a permit for keeping wild animal species in the fenced off areas in the ownership or possession thereof.

(6) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which the legal persons referred to in Paragraph five of this Section shall acquire, possess, issue and utilise mufflers of shooting noise (silencers) and flame dowsers, as well as firearms equipped therewith for the acquisition of wild animal species.

Chapter IV
Weapons Authorisations

Section 11. Issuance of Weapons Authorisations

(1) Natural persons and legal persons, except State and local government authorities, who have the right to acquire, possess and utilise in the activities thereof weapons allocated in accordance with the law have the right to acquire, collect, possess, carry, convey and sell Category B, C and D firearms, including traumatic long firearms, the exchangeable barrels thereof and firearm ammunition, as well as high energy pneumatic weapons only with the authorisation of the State Police.

(2) The State Police shall issue authorisations for the acquisition, possession, collecting, transportation, bringing in and out from Latvia, for transit through Latvia, for the transportation to European Union Member States and selling of Category B, C and D hunting, sport, self-defence and service firearms, the exchangeable barrels thereof, firearm ammunition, as well as for carrying short self-defence firearms.

(3) An authorisation to acquire and possess the exchangeable barrel of a firearm shall be issued to a person with a firearm registered for use in hunting or sport.

(4) Authorisations for a weapon collection, as well as authorisations for the possession of a weapon, unless laid down otherwise in this Law, shall be issued for an indefinite period of time. Authorisations for the carrying of a weapon shall be issued for 10 years.

(5) The State Police shall issue the European firearms pass for five years to persons registered for the utilisation of Category B, C or D firearms in hunting or sport or for the utilisation of high energy pneumatic weapons in sport.

(6) If a weapons authorisation has been damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen, a person shall receive a duplicate authorisation from the State Police, but if the particulars of the natural person or legal person or address of the possession of the weapon indicated in the authorisation have changed, a repeat weapons authorisation shall be issued.

(7) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which the State Police shall issue the authorisations referred to in Paragraph two of this Section, the duplicates and repeat authorisations thereof, the European firearms passes, shall extend the period of validity of authorisations for the carrying of a weapon and of the European firearms pass and revoke authorisations, as well as the requirements to be observed for the receipt of an authorisation for the possession or carrying of a weapon or for weapon collections and during the validity of the authorisation.

(8) A State fee shall be payable for the issuance of any type of weapons authorisation, repeat authorisation, duplicate authorisation or the European firearms pass, and for extending the period of validity of an authorisation for the carrying a weapon and the period of validity of the European firearms pass. The Cabinet shall determine the amount of the State fee, reliefs and the procedures for payment.

[13 June 2013]

Section 12. Authorisation for the Acquisition of a Weapon

An authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon shall be valid for three months from the day of taking a decision on the issuance of the authorisation by the State Police. The authorisation shall give the following rights:

1) to acquire the firearms indicated therein, the exchangeable barrels thereof, high energy pneumatic weapons and ammunition in Latvia from merchants who have received a special authorisation (licence) for the manufacture or trade of weapons or, upon receipt of an authorisation for bringing weapons into Latvia, from foreign manufacturers and trade merchants of weapons in accordance with the laws of the corresponding country;

2) in accordance with the specified procedures, to possess and transport a firearm, the ammunition and exchangeable barrel thereof or a high energy pneumatic weapon until the registration thereof with the State police;

3) to transfer to oneself the registration with the State Police of the firearms, also exchangeable barrels thereof, or high energy pneumatic weapons of such other natural person or legal person, which has received an authorisation for the sale of weapons.

Section 13. Authorisation for Possession of a Weapon

An authorisation for the possession of a weapon shall give the right, in accordance with the specified procedures, to possess the firearm, the exchangeable barrel thereof or the high energy pneumatic weapon indicated in the authorisation at the declared place of residence of the weapon owner (natural person) indicated in the authorisation and the location of the immovable property, including joint property, or in a specially equipped weapons depository of the weapon owner (legal person), to transport or convey a weapon, to acquire and possess the ammunition thereof, to utilise the weapon according to its method of use, as well as to utilise and use the weapon in the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law or in other laws and regulations.

Section 14. Authorisation for Carrying of a Weapon

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

(2) An authorisation for the carrying of a weapon shall give a natural person the right, in accordance with the specified procedure, to possess a firearm in the declared place of residence of the weapon owner indicated in the authorisation and the location of immovable property, including joint property, to transport or convey the weapon, acquire and possess the ammunition thereof, to carry and utilise the weapon according to its method of use, as well as to utilise and use the weapon in the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law or in other laws and regulations.

(3) Legal persons, for which service firearms have been registered, shall issue employees an authorisation for the carrying of a service weapon, including a long firearm. An authorisation for the carrying of a service weapon shall give the employees of the legal person the right to receive and carry the service firearm registered to the legal person for the fulfilment of duties, as well as to use it in the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law or in other laws and regulations. An authorisation for the carrying of a service weapon shall not give the right to acquire the ammunition for a firearm.

Section 15. Authorisation for the Sale of a Weapon

An authorisation for the sale of a weapon shall give a person the right to sell the firearms indicated therein, as well as the exchangeable barrels thereof, high energy pneumatic weapons or the ammunition thereof with the intermediation of a merchant of Latvia who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the trade of weapons, or to transfer the registration thereof with the State Police to another person who has received an authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon.

Section 15.¹ Authorisation for a Weapon Collection

An authorisation for a weapon collection shall give the right to possess the firearms indicated in the authorisation, their exchangeable barrels, high energy pneumatic weapons and ammunition at the address indicated in the authorisation, to transport them and exhibit at exhibitions in the cases and in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law and other laws and regulations governing the handling of weapons and ammunition.

[13 June 2013]

Chapter V
Rights and Restrictions

Section 16. Natural Persons Having the Right to Receive a Weapons Authorisation to Acquire, Possess, Carry and Transfer Weapons and Special Means

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

(2) A natural person who has reached the age of 18 years has the right to:

1) acquire, possess and transport non-firearm weapons, low energy pneumatic weapons and ammunition thereof and use these weapons in training and sports competitions;

2) acquire, possess and carry electric shock devices intended for self-defence and use them for self-defence;

3) acquire, possess and carry gas pistols (revolvers) and the ammunition thereof and use them for self-defence.

(3) A citizen of Latvia, a non-citizen of Latvia, a citizen of a European Union Member State and a citizen of a state of the European Economic Area, as well as a person who has received a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Latvia if he or she has reached the age of 18 years and the prohibitions referred to in this Law do not apply thereto, has the right, with the authorisation of the State Police, to acquire, possess and transport Category B, C and D long smooth-bore hunting, sport and self-defence firearms, traumatic long firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons and the ammunition thereof, to utilise these weapons according to their intended use for hunting, practice shooting, shooting sports competitions and self-defence, as well as for the killing of farm animals in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations.

(4) The person referred to in Paragraph three of this Section, who has reached the age of 21 years and who has a hunters certificate, if the prohibitions referred to in this Law do not apply to this person, has the right, with the authorisation of the State Police, to acquire, possess and transport Category B and C long rifled barrel hunting firearms and the ammunition thereof, to utilise these weapons for hunting, practice shooting, shooting sports competitions, as well as for the killing of farm animals in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations.

(5) The person referred to in Paragraph three of this Section, who has reached the age of 18 years, who has been a member of a registered sports organisation for at least three years and who has at least the second sport class in a type of sport connected with shooting, if the prohibitions referred to in this Law do not apply to this person, has the right, with the authorisation of the State Police, to acquire, possess and transport Category B and C long rifled barrel sports firearms and the ammunition thereof, Category B short firearms, the calibre length of which does not exceed 5.6 millimetres, and the ammunition thereof, and to utilise these weapons in practice shooting and shooting sports competitions.

(6) 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 European Economic Area State, who has reached the age of 21 years, if the prohibitions referred to in this Law do not apply thereto, has the right, with the authorisation of the State Police, to acquire, possess and transport or possess, transport and carry Category B semi-automatic, non-automatic and single-shot short firearms, the calibre of which does not exceed 9 millimetres, and the ammunition thereof and to utilise these weapons in practice shooting and shooting sports competitions, as well as use them for self-defence.

[13 June 2013]

Section 17. Prohibitions for the Acquisition, Possession and Carrying of Weapons and Ammunition

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

1) who has been punished for committing a crime - prior to the conviction being extinguished or set aside;

2) who has been accused in criminal proceedings;

3) who has been released from criminal liability in accordance with Section 58 of the Criminal Law - until a year has passed after the coming into effect of the respective decision;

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

5) who has been released from punishment in accordance with Section 59 of the Criminal Law - until a year has passed after the coming into effect of the decision of the release from punishment;

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

7) who has been administratively punished for violations committed while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances, for refusal to submit to a test determining the alcohol concentration, from a test of narcotic or other intoxicating substance influence, for petty hooliganism, for intentionally infliction of insignificant bodily harm or for malicious non-compliance with the lawful order or request of a police officer, border guard, national guard or soldier - until a year has passed after the execution of the administrative punishment;

8) who has restricted rights (withdrawn for a period of time) for the acquisition, possession or carrying of weapons or rights to be engaged in commercial activities in the field of handling of weapons - before the expiry of the period of the restriction of rights;

9) regarding whom the State Police have justified information that he or she may use the weapon maliciously, endangering himself or herself, public order or safety;

10) regarding whom the State Police, the Office of the Prosecutor or State security institutions have information attesting that such person belongs to prohibited militarised or armed formations, public organisations (parties) or associations thereof;

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

12) [13 June 2013];

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

14) who does not have a declared (registered) place of residence;

15) who has not ensured the conditions for the possession of weapons at the indicated address of the storage of the weapon;

16) who has stated unjustified reasons for the acquisition of a weapon;

17) who does not comply with the conditions of Section 16 of this Law.

[13 June 2013]

Section 18. Institutions and Legal Persons who Have the Right to Acquire, Possess and Utilise Firearms, High Energy Pneumatic Weapons and the Ammunition in the Activities thereof

(1) The following institutions and legal persons have the right to use firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons and the ammunition thereof in the activities thereof:

1) State and local government authorities which have been conferred the right to acquire, possess and utilise firearms in the activities thereof in accordance with the law;

2) with an authorisation of the State Police - legal persons governed by private law, which have been conferred the right to acquire, possess and utilise firearms in the activities thereof in accordance with the law, if the participants of the legal person (natural persons), except shareholders (hereinafter - participants), and persons holding an office in administrative bodies (hereinafter - managers), as well as employees having access to weapons and ammunition in accordance with the work duties, comply with the conditions of Section 16, Paragraph six of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 17 of this Law do not apply thereto (except the prohibition referred to in Section 17, Clause 13 in respect of participants and managers). Within the meaning of this Law partnerships shall also be considered equivalent to legal persons governed by private law;

3) with an authorisation of the State police - educational institutions founded by State and local governments, in which lessons in types of sport related to shooting, young guard or military training programmes are intended, if the employees of the educational institution have access to weapons and ammunition in accordance with the work duties, comply with the conditions of Section 16, Paragraph six of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 17 of this Law do not apply thereto;

4) with an authorisation of the State Police - sports federations recognised in Latvia, engaged in types of sport related to shooting (hereinafter - sports federations), and the collective members thereof, if their managers and employees with access to weapons and ammunition in accordance with the work duties comply with the conditions of Section 16, Paragraph six of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 17 of this Law do not apply thereto (except the prohibition referred to in Section 17, Clause 13 in respect of managers);

5) with an authorisation of the State Police - legal persons who have received a local government authorisation for the operation of a Category 2 or Category 3 shooting gallery (shooting stand), if the participants of the legal person and managers, as well as employees having access to weapons and ammunition in accordance with the work duties comply with the conditions of Section 16, Paragraph six of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 17 of this Law do not apply thereto (except the prohibition referred to in Section 17, Clause 13 in respect of participants and managers);

6) with an authorisation of the State Police - State, local government and private museums if their managers and employees with access to weapons and ammunition in accordance with the work duties comply with the conditions of Section 16, Paragraph six of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 17 of this Law do not apply thereto (except the prohibition referred to in Section 17, Clause 13 in respect of managers);

7) merchants who have received the special authorisations (licences) referred to in Section 42 of this Law for commercial activities with firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons and the ammunition thereof;

8) with an authorisation of the State Police - merchants which have received an authorisation for holding wild animal species in fenced areas in their ownership or possession, if their managers and managers, as well as employees with access to weapons and ammunition in accordance with the work duties comply with the conditions of Section 16, Paragraph six of this Law and the prohibitions referred to in Section 17 of this Law do not apply thereto (except the prohibition referred to in Section 17, Clause 13 in respect of participants and managers).

(2) Firearms, which have been rendered usable for shooting only with salute cartridges, and salute cartridges may be acquired, possessed and utilised by State and local government authorities and legal persons governed by private law, which have been conferred the right to acquire, possess and utilise firearms in accordance with the law in the activities thereof, as well as by legal persons which utilise them for making cinematographic films or in other professional activities.

[13 June 2013]

Section 18.¹ Health Examinations for a Person in Possession of (Carrying) Weapons and Performing Work with Weapons

(1) Health examinations shall be performed in order to assess the conformity of the state of health of a natural person for possessing (carrying) weapons or for work with weapons and to determine whether the person has been diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, addiction to alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic or toxic substances, behavioural disorders, physical deficiencies due to which the person is not able to use a firearm or high energy pneumatic weapon (hereinafter - medical contraindications).

(2) The initial health examination shall be performed:

1) for natural persons who wish to receive an authorisation for the acquisition, possession or carrying of a weapon or for a weapon collection, or a certificate of shooting instructor;

2) for participants of such legal persons and managers who wish to receive an authorisation for the possession of a weapon or for a weapon collection, as well as employees with access to weapons, ammunition or their components in accordance with the work duties;

3) for participants of such merchants and managers who wish to receive or have received a special authorisation (licence) for commercial activities involving weapons, ammunition or special means, as well as employees of such merchants with access to weapons, ammunition, their components or special means in accordance with the work duties.

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

(4) A medical practitioner or the State Police have the right to send the persons referred to in Paragraph three of this Section to a prescheduled health examination, if there is justified suspicion that the particular person has medical contraindications for possession (carrying) of weapons or for work with weapons.

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

(6) The Cabinet shall determine:

1) medical contraindications for 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 term of the regular health examination shall be determined;

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

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

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

[13 June 2013 / Paragraph five shall come into force from 1 July 2014. See Paragraph 6 of Transitional Provisions]

Chapter VI
Withdrawal of Weapons Authorisations

Section 19. Withdrawal of Authorisations for the Acquisition, Possession, Carrying and Collection of Weapons

The State Police shall withdraw an authorisation for the acquisition, possession, carrying and collection of weapons (also an authorisation for the carrying of a service weapon and an authorisation for the possession or carrying of a personally awarded weapon) or shall not extend the period of validity of the authorisation, if:

1) the prohibitions referred to in Section 17 of this Law apply to the person;

2) the person does not comply with the conditions of Section 16 or Section 18, Paragraph one of this Law;

3) the person has had hunting rights withdrawn or the hunting certificate thereof has been recognised as invalid (authorisation for the acquisition and possession of a hunting firearm);

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

5) the legal person, to which weapons have been registered, is liquidated or the activity thereof are suspended; or

6) the natural person or legal person, to which firearms or high energy pneumatic weapons have been registered, refuses to present the weapons, ammunition and the relevant authorisation to an official of the State authority, in whose competence the control of the handling of weapons lies, evades or otherwise hinders an official of the State Police from checking the conditions of possession of firearms, ammunition, the parts thereof or high energy pneumatic weapons at the address indicated in the weapons authorisation;

7) it is determined by a court adjudication.

[13 June 2013]

Section 20. Appeal of Decisions

(1) A natural person or a legal person may contest and appeal a decision on refusal to issue an authorisation for the acquisition, possession or carrying of a firearm or high energy pneumatic weapon or an authorisation for the collection of such weapons, or a decision on withdrawal of the authorisation in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law.

(2) Contesting or appealing of a decision on withdrawal of an authorisation shall not suspend the operation thereof.

Section 21. Handover of Weapons and Ammunition to the State Police

(1) If an authorisation for the possession or carrying of a firearm or high energy pneumatic weapon or an authorisation for the collection of such weapons is withdrawn, the weapon and ammunition shall, within five working days after receipt of the relevant notification, be handed over to the State Police or, with the authorisation thereof, to a merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the trade of firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons and ammunition.

(2) When handing over a weapon and ammunition, a natural person and a legal person shall also hand over the relevant weapons authorisation and the European firearms pass to the State Police.

Chapter VII
Acquisition, Registration, Possession, Transportation, Conveyance, Carrying, Utilisation and Sale of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

Section 22. Conditions for the Acquisition, Possession, Transportation, Carrying, Utilisation and Use of Weapons, the Parts thereof and Ammunition for Natural Persons

(1) Prior to the first acquisition of a firearm (except a hunting firearm) or a high energy pneumatic weapon, a person shall take a qualification examination in respect of the procedures for the handling weapons and ammunition and certify the skill to use a weapon. The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for giving a qualification examination, the extent of the knowledge required for passing it, the fee for the qualification examination, as well as the spending of the funds acquired.

(2) Persons who have not had a firearm or a high energy pneumatic weapon registered within the last five years, or persons whose authorisation for the possession or carrying of a weapon (including a hunting firearm) has been withdrawn for violations of the regulations for the acquisition, registration, possession, carrying or sale of weapons or ammunition or whose right for the acquisition, possession or carrying of weapons have been restricted (suspended temporarily) shall re-take the qualification examination referred to in Paragraph one of this Section.

(3) Prior to the acquisition of a hunting firearm a person shall receive a hunters certificate. Prior to the acquisition of a rifled barrel hunting firearm a person shall also pass a practical examination in shooting with a long rifled barrel hunting firearm (except persons to whom such firearm has been registered within the last five years).

(4) A natural person shall, within five working days after acquisition of a firearm, the exchangeable barrel thereof or a high energy pneumatic weapon or within five working days after bringing thereof in Latvia, register it with the State Police.

(5) A natural person not having an authorisation for a weapons collection has the right to acquire or possess not more than 10 firearms and high energy pneumatic weapons, not including the exchangeable barrels of firearms.

(6) In order to change the essential components of a firearm or to deactivate a firearm or high energy pneumatic weapon, a person shall hand over a weapon or a high energy pneumatic weapon to a merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the manufacture or repair of weapons.

(7) Persons who have firearms registered for hunting and sports, have the right to acquire the relevant industrially manufactured cartridge parts for the assembly of hunting and sport firearm cartridges, and possess them at an authorised place for the possession of firearms.

(8) A natural person has the right, with an authorisation of the State Police, to hand over firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons and the ammunition thereof for the possession in a weapons depository to legal persons which have received an authorisation for the possession of weapons, or to hand over weapons and ammunition for the possession to the State Police for a fee in accordance with the price list for paid services provided by the State Police.

(9) Persons who have long firearms or high energy pneumatic weapons registered for hunting or sports, have the right to temporarily, during a hunting or shooting sports competition, possess a weapon and ammunition in premises (a place) or a vehicle specially provided for this purpose, as well as while the weapons and ammunition are being transported from or to a hunt, a shooting sports competition or practice shooting lessons - in a vehicle, including during the temporary stopping thereof, performing the monitoring of these premises and vehicle and ensuring that the weapon and ammunition do not come into the hands of unauthorised persons. Weapons and ammunition shall be placed in the vehicle in as safe a place as possible so that the cases or other packaging, in which the weapon and ammunition are placed, are not visible from outside of the vehicle, the door and the baggage compartment of the vehicle shall be locked and the warning signal device shall be switched on.

(10) A natural person who has received an authorisation for the carrying of a weapon, has the right to concurrently carry not more than two firearms and not more than two loaded magazines (cartridge cylinders) for each firearm.

(11) A natural person has the right to acquire a gas pistol (revolver) in Latvia with the intermediation of a merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the sale of the relevant weapons, or from another person who has a gas pistol (revolver) registered, by performing the re-registration of the gas pistol (revolver) with the State Police or using the electronic service provided by the Information Centre of the Ministry for the Interior, or in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations in foreign states, subsequently registering it with the State Police or using the electronic service provided by the Information Centre of the Ministry for the Interior.

(12) A natural person is prohibited to attend public festival, commemorative, entertainment, sport or recreational events in a public place with weapons, ammunition and special means, except where it has been allowed by the event organiser.

(13) It is prohibited to acquire, carry, transport, utilise and use firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons, as well as gas pistols (revolvers) under the influence of alcohol, if a breath test or blood test establishes an alcohol concentration in the blood that exceeds 0.5 permils, or under the influence of narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substance.

(14) The State Police shall register information regarding persons who have passed the qualification examination referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section in relation to the procedures for the handling of weapons and ammunition and the ability to handle a weapon in the Register of Licences and Certificates in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations, but the State Forest Service - regarding persons who have passed the practical examination referred to in Paragraph three of this Section in shooting with a long rifled barrel hunting firearm.

[13 June 2013]

Section 23. Conditions for the Acquisition, Possession, Transportation and Utilisation of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means for Legal Persons

(1) Prior to the receipt of an authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon, the manager of a legal person shall ensure the installation of a weapons depository and appoint a person responsible for the acquisition, possession, recording and issuance of weapons and ammunition.

(2) Legal persons have the right to issue the firearms specified in the authorisation and ammunition thereof to their employees for the performance of work duties if such employees have an authorisation to carry a service weapon. A service firearm shall only be issued for the period of the fulfilment of work duties.

(3) Sports federations, the collective members thereof and legal persons who have received an authorisation for the operation of a shooting gallery (shooting stand), have the right to issue firearms and the ammunition thereof registered with the State Police for utilisation in accordance with the specified procedures in practice shooting and shooting sports competitions under the supervision of a certified trainer or instructor.

(4) Sports federations and the collective members thereof, who have installed a weapons depository and received the authorisation of the State Police, following co-ordination with the State Police, have the right to take into possession the personal firearms and high energy pneumatic weapons of athletes and hunters.

(5) Legal persons have the right to issue firearms, the ammunition thereof and high energy pneumatic weapons to temporarily put to sleep, paralyse or kill animals for the fulfilment of work duties to those employees who have an authorisation for the possession or carrying of weapons issued by the State Police or who have been authorised by the State Police to work with weapons. These conditions shall also apply to individual workers.

(6) Legal persons have the right, after co-ordination with the State Police, to determine restrictions for natural persons for the carrying of weapons and special means in their premises, territory or place of organisation of public events, to install weapons storehouses and, during the visit or event in the places concerned, to take into possession weapons and ammunition if employees who in accordance with the work duties are responsible for the possession of weapons and ammunition conform with the conditions of Section 16, Paragraph six of this Law, and if the prohibitions referred to in Section 17 of this Law do not apply thereto and it is certified by the State Police.

(7) The conditions referred to in Section 22, Paragraphs four and six of this Law shall apply to a legal person.

[13 June 2013]

Section 24. Right of Natural Persons and Legal Persons to Sell Weapons and Ammunition

(1) A natural person and a legal person shall sell a firearm registered in the ownership thereof, also the exchangeable barrels and ammunition thereof, or a high energy pneumatic weapon only if they have received an authorisation for the sale of weapons from the State Police, with the intermediation of a merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the sale of firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons and ammunition, or by transferring the registration of the weapon with the State Police to another person who has been issued an authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon.

(2) A natural person has the right, without the intermediation of the merchant referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, to sell industrially manufactured ammunition for a self-defence, hunting or sports firearm to other natural persons who have an authorisation for the possession or carrying of the relevant firearms, if such selling is not commercial in nature.

(3) A natural person and a legal person shall sell a gas pistol (revolver) in the ownership thereof to another person only with the intermediation of a merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the sale of firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons or gas pistols (revolvers), or by transferring the registration thereof with the State Police or by using the electronic service provided by the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior.

Section 25. Procedures for the Acquisition, Registration, Sale, Possession, Transportation, Conveyance, Carrying, Utilisation and Use of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

(1) The Cabinet shall determine the conditions and the procedures by which natural persons and legal persons shall acquire, register, possess, transport, convey and sell firearms, the exchangeable barrels, ammunition and parts thereof, as well as high energy pneumatic weapons, the conditions and procedures by which natural persons shall carry firearms and the ammunition thereof, acquire, possess, carry and sell gas pistols (revolvers) and the ammunition thereof, as well as the conditions and procedures by which legal persons shall issue firearms and ammunition for the fulfilment of service or work duties, accept firearms, the ammunition thereof and high energy pneumatic weapons into possession, the requirements for weapons depositories and the regulations for the possession of collections of weapons and ammunition.

(2) The procedures for the possession, carrying, utilisation and use of weapons and special means owned (possessed) by institutions of the Ministry of the Interior, State security institutions, the National Armed Forces, the Security Department of the Bank of Latvia, the State Revenue Service, the Prison Administration, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, the port police and local government police shall be determined by the laws and regulations governing the activity of such authorities, but the procedures by which the referred-to authorities shall acquire and sell weapons, ammunition and special means shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[13 June 2013]

Chapter VIII
Personal Award Weapons, Inheritance of Weapons and Giving as a Gift Thereof

Section 26. Personal Award Weapons

(1) The President and the Prime Minister have the right to grant to a natural person a personal award weapon for special meritorious service for the benefit of the Republic of Latvia in compliance with the conditions of Section 16 of this Law.

(2) The Minister for Defence, the Minister for the Interior, the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Finance and the Director of the Constitution Protection Bureau have right to award employees with personal award weapons for the exemplary performance of service or work duties in compliance with the conditions of Section 16 of this Law.

(3) Personal award weapons may be Category B, C and D firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons and non-firearm weapons.

(4) Prior to granting a personal award rifled barrel firearm, the persons referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section shall ensure that a control shot is made from the relevant firearm at the State Police.

(5) The persons referred to in Paragraphs one and two of this Section shall, within five working days from the day of the awarding, inform the State Police of the awarding of a person with a personal award firearm or a high energy pneumatic weapon.

(6) The awarded person shall, within five working days from the day of the awarding, register the personal award firearm or high energy pneumatic weapon with the State Police.

(7) The State Police shall issue an authorisation for the possession and carrying to the owner of a personal award firearm or a high energy pneumatic weapon for an indefinite period of time.

(8) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for the acquisition of firearms and high energy pneumatic weapons intended for awarding.

Section 27. Inheritance of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means and Giving as a Gift Thereof

[13 June 2013]

(1) Weapons, ammunition and special means owned by persons shall be inherited or given as a gift in accordance with The Civil Law and this Law.

(2) Only such person who has an authorisation for the acquisition of the relevant weapons may inherit or receive as a gift the firearms, ammunition thereof or high energy pneumatic weapons owned by persons. The registration of the firearms or high energy pneumatic weapons inherited or given as a gift shall be transferred with the State Police within five working days from the day of inheritance of a weapon or giving as a gift thereof.

(3) If the heir of a firearm, the ammunition thereof or a high energy pneumatic weapon cannot or does not wish to receive an authorisation for the acquisition of the relevant weapon, the weapon and the ammunition thereof may be sold for the benefit of the heir pursuant to a submission by the heir, with the intermediation of a merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the trade of firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons and ammunition, or the registration thereof with the State Police may be transferred to another person who has received an authorisation for the acquisition of weapons, or they may be deactivated or destroyed.

(4) If the owner of a gas pistol (revolver) does not wish to register a gas pistol (revolver) on himself or has not reached the age determined in Section 16, Paragraph two of this Law, the gas pistol (revolver) and the ammunition thereof shall be sold for the benefit of the heir pursuant to a submission by the heir, with the intermediation of a merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the trade of the relevant weapons and ammunition, or shall be re-registered at the State Police to another person who has reached the respective age, or destroyed.

[13 June 2013]

Chapter IX
Collections of Weapons and Ammunition

Section 28. Private Individual Collections of Weapons and Ammunition

(1) The legal persons referred to in Section 18, Paragraph one, Clauses 6 and 7 of this Law, as well as citizens of Latvia and other European Union Member States and citizens of the European Economic Area States who have reached the age of 21 years have the right to create a collection of firearms suitable for shooting, the ammunition thereof and high energy pneumatic weapons with the authorisation of the State Police, if the prohibitions referred to in Section 17 of this Law, except the prohibition referred to in Clause 13, do not apply thereto.

(2) The persons referred to in Paragraph one of this Section are entitled, with the authorisation of the State Police, to acquire Category B, C and D hunting, sport or self-defence firearms suitable for shooting, the ammunition thereof and high energy pneumatic weapons for a collection.

(3) If the total number of firearms (excluding the exchangeable barrels of firearms) and high energy pneumatic weapons in the possession of a natural person exceeds 10, a weapons collection authorisation shall be required.

(4) It is permitted to create a collection of weapons and ammunition not requiring the State Police authorisation for the acquisition and possession thereof (including such firearms to which this Law does not apply), but a collection of deactivated firearms and high energy pneumatic weapons may only be created with a statement from the State Police that the weapons have been deactivated.

(5) An authorisation of the State Police shall be required for the transportation or exhibiting of collections of weapons or ammunition (except the collection referred to in Paragraph four of this Section) outside the place of possession indicated in the weapons collection authorisation. This rule shall not apply to weapons for the possession or carrying of which an authorisation has been issued.

(6) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to exhibitions of weapons and ammunition of licensed merchants and samples of goods.

[13 June 2013]

Section 29. Official State Collections of Weapons and Ammunition

(1) In accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet, the State Police shall establish for official use:

1) a collection of weapons for the needs of comparative research containing the weapons which have been acquired or given as a gift, confiscated or alienated, including home-made, illicitly modified or prohibited weapons;

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

3) a sample collection of firearms and ammunition certified in Latvia (except the firearms and ammunition of the National Armed Forces).

(2) The National Armed Forces shall create a sample collection of military weapons and ammunition.

Chapter X
Conditions and Procedures for the Utilisation and Use of Firearms and Special Means

Section 30. Conditions for the Utilisation and Use of Firearms and Special Means

(1) The use of a firearm shall be a targeted shot (except shooting for hunting, sports competitions or practice shooting) or a shot which causes the death of a person, harm to human health or damage to property, or which renders an animal harmless.

(2) A gas cylinder may be used in situations requiring self-defence in order to affect the human or animal organism by the means of gas.

(3) An electric shock device may be used in situations requiring self-defence in order to affect the human or animal organism by means of a high-voltage electric charge.

(4) A person may use a firearm as a last resort or a gas pistol (revolver) in order to:

1) protect himself or herself or other persons from an attack which genuinely endangers life or health;

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

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

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

(5) A firearm may be utilised to summon help, to warn of the use of a weapon or to frighten away animals.

(6) In using a firearm or special means it is prohibited to exceed the limits of the necessary self-defence.

Section 31. Procedures for the Utilisation and Use of Firearms

(1) Prior to using a firearm, a warning regarding the intent to use it shall be given orally or by firing a warning shot.

(2) A firearm shall be used without warning if:

1) the attack that endangers human life or health is sudden;

2) weapons or objects that endanger human life or health are used or motor vehicles are utilised in the attack;

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

(3) A person using a firearm or gas pistol (revolver) shall do everything possible to reduce the damage and to ensure the safety of other persons.

(4) It is prohibited to utilise and use a firearm or a gas pistol (revolver) if other persons against whom the weapons or special means are not directed may suffer as a result of their utilisation or use.

(5) A person who has used a firearm shall notify the State Police without delay regarding each case of the use of the firearm. Such person shall preserve the circumstances 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 immediately ensure the provision of emergency medical assistance.

Chapter XI
Organisation of Shooting Galleries (Shooting Stands), Provisions for Practice Shooting and Shooting Sports Competitions

Section 32. Categories of Shooting Galleries (Shooting Stands)

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

1) first category shooting galleries (shooting stands) in which it is permitted to utilise bows and arbalests, as well as throwing knives, axes, low energy pneumatic weapons and ammunition thereof;

2) second category shooting galleries in which it is permitted to utilise high energy pneumatic weapons and ammunition thereof, Category B, C, D firearms and ammunition thereof;

3) third category shooting galleries in which it is permitted to utilise Category A automatic firearms and ammunition thereof, as well as weapons and ammunition thereof permitted to be utilised in second category shooting galleries.

Section 33. Establishment of Shooting Galleries (Shooting Stands)

(1) Natural persons and legal persons have the right to establish shooting galleries (shooting stands) in the immovable property in the ownership or possession, or holding thereof.

(2) A local government authorisation shall be required for the establishment and operation of second and third category shooting galleries (shooting stands). The authorisation shall be revoked if the recipient thereof violates the requirements of this Law.

(3) State and local government authorities which have the right to acquire, possess and utilise, in the activities thereof, firearms conferred in accordance with the law have the right to establish second and third category shooting galleries (shooting stands) without a local government authorisation.

(4) The Cabinet shall determine the requirements for the establishment and operation of shooting galleries (shooting stands), as well as the procedures by which authorisations for the establishment of shooting galleries (shooting stands) shall be issued and revoked.

[13 June 2013]

Section 34. Provisions for Practice Shooting and Shooting Sports Competitions

(1) An owner of a shooting gallery (shooting stand) shall be liable for the compliance with the provisions of practice shooting and shooting sports competitions, as well as for the technical and organisational measures for the provision of safety of participants, viewers or other persons during practice shooting or practice firing. The trainer (lecturer) or shooting instructor leading training shall be liable for the compliance with the safety provisions in the training of a specific shooter or a group of shooters. The weapon handler shall be liable for specific activities with a weapon in training and competitions.

(2) The organiser of the competition and a certified chief referee of the competition shall be liable for the safety of participants, viewers or 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 whose arrows have hunting tips, and arbalests) may only be utilised in practice shooting and shooting sports competitions in the shooting gallery (shooting stand) of appropriate category.

(4) Low energy pneumatic weapons and projectile non-firearm weapons and bows whose arrows do not have hunting tips, may be used in cordoned areas, complying with the safety requirements in order to prevent harm to humans, animals, property or the environment and so as not to endanger the public safety or cause public disorders.

(5) Practice shooting in a second or third category shooting gallery (shooting stand) shall be performed only under the supervision of a certified instructor or trainer. Persons shall comply with the lawful requirements of an instructor and trainer (lecturer) in a shooting gallery (shooting stand).

(6) The following minimum age of participants of practice shooting or shooting sports competitions in shooting galleries (shooting stands) shall be specified:

1) in the first category shooting galleries - unlimited;

2) for shooting with high energy pneumatic weapons or Category B and C small-calibre rifled hunting and sport firearms the ammunition of which have a rimfire cartridge - 12 years;

3) for shooting with Category D firearms - 12 years;

4) for shooting with Category B and C firearms - 16 years;

5) for shooting with Category A automatic firearms - 18 years.

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

(8) Minors who have reached the age referred to in Paragraph six of this Section, may use firearms of the relevant category or high energy pneumatic weapons in shooting galleries (shooting stands) only if practice shooting is being organised by a legal person related to a shooting sport or an educational institution or if the minor is visiting the shooting gallery (shooting stand) in the presence of parents or lawful representatives.

(9) Persons under the influence of alcohol, narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances may not utilise a weapon or remain in a shooting gallery (shooting stand). It is prohibited to issue weapons and ammunition to the persons referred to.

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

Section 35. Certification of Shooting Instructors, Trainers and Referees of Shooting Sports Competitions

(1) Shooting instructors, except those who are employees of State and local government authorities having the right to acquire, possess and utilise, in the activities thereof, firearms conferred in accordance with the law, shall be certified by the association "Sports Federation Council of Latvia".

(2) The certificate of a shooting instructor shall be revoked if he or she violates the regulations of shooting sports competitions or the safety regulations in a shooting gallery (shooting stand).

(3) The association "Sports Federation Council of Latvia", when fulfilling the tasks specified in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, is entitled to issue administrative acts and is functionally subordinate to the Ministry of Education and Science.

(4) A decision regarding the issuance of a shooting instructor certificate, regarding the refusal to issue a shooting instructor certificate or the contesting and appeal of the revocation of a shooting instructor certificate shall not suspend the operation thereof.

(5) Referees of shooting sports competitions shall be prepared, the recording thereof and the categories shall be assigned thereto by the recognised sports federation in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations.

(6) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for the certification of shooting instructors, trainers and referees of shooting sports competitions, and the fee for the certification of shooting instructors.

Chapter XII
Crossing the Border of the Republic of Latvia with Weapons and Ammunition

Section 36. Procedures by which Military Persons and Officials shall Transport Weapons and Ammunition across the Border of the Republic of Latvia

The relevant laws and regulations shall lay down the procedures by which officials of State authorities, personnel of the National Armed Forces, persons of foreign armed forces, in order to perform tasks co-ordinated with the National Armed Forces, as well as employees of foreign interior or security services who on the basis of agreements with the Ministry of the Interior have arrived to perform co-ordinated official tasks shall, during peace time, cross the border of the Republic of Latvia having weapons and ammunition.

Section 37. Bringing out from Latvia and Bringing into Latvia of Firearms, Ammunition and High Energy Pneumatic Weapons

(1) An authorisation of the State Police shall be required for the bringing out of Latvia and bringing into Latvia of firearms, the exchangeable barrels thereof and ammunition or high energy pneumatic weapons, and the European firearms pass or authorisation for the transportation of weapons - for the bringing out of Latvia and transporting to European Union Member States and European Economic Area States or bringing into Latvia from another European Union Member State or European Economic Area states, except the cases referred to in Section 36 of this Law and cases when commercial activities are being performed in accordance with the procedures laid down by this Law and the laws and regulations governing the handling of goods with strategic significance.

(2) A person shall be permitted to bring out of Latvia and transport or convey to another European Union Member State or European Economic Area State Category B, C and D firearms and high energy pneumatic weapons and ammunition, if he or she has a European firearms pass and a justification for bringing in of weapons to the relevant country for utilisation in hunting, practice shooting or shooting sports competitions, unless other procedures are specified by the relevant country.

(3) Category B, C and D firearms, the exchangeable barrels and ammunition thereof, as well as high energy pneumatic weapons may be acquired in foreign countries and brought into Latvia by a person if he or she has received an authorisation for the acquisition of weapons and an authorisation for the bringing of weapons into Latvia from the State Police.

(4) Firearms, the exchangeable barrels and ammunition thereof, as well as high energy pneumatic weapons may be transported across the State border of the Republic of Latvia and conveyed only in unloaded form, in a special case or other packaging, moreover, the weapons separately from the ammunition thereof, observing the laws and regulations in the field of customs and border crossing. Firearms, the exchangeable barrels and ammunition thereof or high energy pneumatic weapons may only be removed from their packaging during customs control or border control upon the request of a customs or border guard employee.

(5) Employees of foreign diplomatic and consular representations, having an authorisation of the State Police for the bringing into Latvia, the bringing out of Latvia or the transit of firearms through Latvia, or a European firearms pass or authorisation for the transportation of weapons - for transportation to European Union Member States and European Economic Area States, have the right to transport loaded Category B short firearms in a special holder, but with no cartridges in the cartridge chamber, across the State border of the Republic of Latvia.

(6) The customs authority shall inform the State Police of each case where a private individual brings into Latvia, brings out of Latvia, transports by transit through Latvia, or conveys to a country or from a country which is not a European Union Member State or a European Economic Area State a firearm, the exchangeable barrels or ammunition thereof, as well as a high energy pneumatic weapon.

(7) The State Police shall inform the relevant authority of the country having issued the authorisation, or the competent authority indicated by the foreign country regarding each case where a citizen of another European Union Member State or European Economic Area State has acquired a Category B, C or D firearm or the exchangeable barrel thereof in Latvia.

Chapter XIII
Right of Foreign Citizens, Employees of Diplomatic and Consular Representations, High Foreign Officials and Employees of the Security Service Thereof to Acquire, Bring In, Possess, Transport, Carry, Utilise and Use Weapons and Ammunition in Latvia

Section 38. Right of Foreign Citizens to Acquire Firearms and High Energy Pneumatic Weapons in Latvia

(1) Citizens of European Union Member States and citizens of European Economic Area States, as well as citizens of other countries, if they have the authorisation issued by the competent authority in the country thereof giving the right to acquire a firearm, the exchangeable barrel and ammunition thereof or a high energy pneumatic weapon in Latvia, may receive an authorisation from the State Police for the acquisition of a weapon, and after the acquisition thereof - an authorisation for bringing out of the firearm, the exchangeable barrel and ammunition thereof or the high energy pneumatic weapon from Latvia.

(2) A citizen of a European Union Member State, a citizen of a European Economic Area State or a citizen of another foreign country shall, within five working days after the acquisition of a firearm, the exchangeable barrel thereof or a high energy pneumatic weapon in Latvia, present the acquired firearm, the exchangeable barrel thereof or the high energy pneumatic weapon to the State Police and receive an authorisation for the bringing out of this weapon and the ammunition thereof of Latvia.

(3) The State Police shall inform the relevant authority of the country having issued the authorisation, or the competent authority indicated by the foreign country regarding each case where a citizen of another European Union Member State or European Economic Area State has acquired a firearm or the exchangeable barrel thereof in Latvia.

Section 39. Right of Foreign Citizens to Bring In, Possess, Transport, Sell and Utilise Firearms and High Energy Pneumatic Weapons in Latvia

(1) Citizens of European Union Member States and citizens of European Economic Area States having a European firearms pass and a justification for entering Latvia or crossing it in transit, taking with them a Category B, C or D hunting or sports firearm, the exchangeable barrel thereof or a high energy pneumatic weapon and the ammunition of these weapons, indicated in the European firearms pass, are entitled to bring these weapons into Latvia for a period of time and utilise them in hunting, practice shooting or shooting sports competitions, to acquire the appropriate ammunition for the weapon, as well as to transport weapons and the ammunition thereof in transit.

(2) An authorisation of the State Police shall be required for bringing into Latvia (except for transit) of Category B short firearms, except Category B short sports firearms whose calibre does not exceed 5.6 millimetres, and the ammunition thereof, entering it in the European firearms pass.

(3) If, in accordance with a justification, the residence of a citizen of a European Union Member State or a citizen of a European Economic Area State in Latvia with a Category B, C or D firearm and the ammunition thereof or a high energy pneumatic weapon is intended for a period of time exceeding three months, he or she shall submit the rifled barrel firearm and ammunition to the State Police for making of a control shot, and receive an authorisation for the possession of a weapon which shall be issued for the duration of hunting, practice hunting or in shooting sports competitions, but not longer than a year. The State Police shall make an entry regarding it in the European firearms pass and inform the relevant Member State.

(4) A foreign citizen who has received a permanent residence permit for the Republic of Latvia has the right to bring into and permanently possess in Latvia his or her firearm or high energy pneumatic weapon if the State Police has issued an authorisation thereto for the bringing of a weapon into Latvia and an authorisation for the possession, carrying or collection of a weapon.

(5) Other citizens of foreign countries, after receipt of an authorisation of the State Police, are entitled, for a period of time, to bring Category B, C and D hunting or sports firearms, the exchangeable barrels thereof, as well as high energy pneumatic weapons and the ammunition of these weapons into Latvia, and to utilise these weapons for hunting, practice shooting or in shooting sports competitions, as well as to transport the weapons and ammunition in transit, if they have an authorisation for the possession of firearms issued by the competent authority of the country thereof and an authorisation for the bringing out of firearms of the country in which they are registered, as well as a justification (an invitation) for entering Latvia or crossing it in transit.

(6) Foreign citizens are prohibited from selling weapons in Latvia which are registered in foreign countries.

(7) Foreign citizens are prohibited from selling weapons in foreign countries, which are registered in Latvia. The prohibition referred to shall not apply to citizens of European Union Member States and citizens of European Economic Area States who have received an authorisation of the State Police and of the competent authority of the relevant foreign country for the sale of a weapon registered in Latvia in a European Union Member State or in a European Economic Area State.

(8) The State Police shall issue the authorisations provided for in this Section and make the relevant note in the European firearms pass in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

[13 June 2013]

Section 40. Right of Employees of Diplomatic and Consular Representations, High Foreign Officials and Employees of the Security Service Thereof to Bring In, Acquire, Possess, Carry, Utilise and Use Weapons and Ammunition in Latvia

(1) After co-ordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and receipt of an authorisation of the State Police, foreign diplomatic and consular representations accredited in Latvia and employees of foreign diplomatic and consular representations accredited in Latvia may acquire, possess, carry, utilise and use Category B semi-automatic, non-automatic or single-shot short firearms for the performance of service duties, in accordance with Sections 30 and 31 of this Law.

(2) After receipt of an authorisation for the bringing in (bringing out) of weapons from the State Police, employees of foreign diplomatic and consular representations accredited in Latvia may bring into Latvia and bring out of Latvia firearms and the ammunition thereof. The firearms which have been brought in shall be registered with the State Police within five days from the day of being brought in. A foreign diplomatic or consular representation accredited in Latvia shall store firearms and ammunition in its weapons depository at the address indicated in the authorisation for the possession of weapons, but employees who have received an authorisation for the carrying of such weapons - in the referred-to weapons depository or at his or her place of residence indicated in the authorisation for the carrying of a service weapon.

(3) During visits of officials of foreign diplomatic and consular representations, high foreign officials or officials of international organisations, after co-ordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and receipt of an authorisation of the State Police, the officials and the employees of the security service thereof are permitted to carry Category B semi-automatic, non-automatic or single-shot short firearms in Latvia during and at the place of performance of service duties and to utilise and use them in accordance with Sections 30 and 31 of this Law.

(4) During visits of high foreign officials or officials of international organisations the State Police may authorise the employees of foreign security services to bring into Latvia and carry automatic firearms and ammunition thereof. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall notify the diplomatic representation of the relevant country or the relevant international organisation regarding such authorisation.

(5) The State Police shall issue the authorisations provided for in this Section in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

[13 June 2013]

Chapter XIV
Commercial Handling of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

Section 41. Provisions for the Commercial Handling of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

(1) In order to be engaged in the manufacture, retail trade or wholesale trade, export or import of weapons, ammunition and special means, the essential components of firearms or parts of firearm ammunition, as well as the repair of weapons or special means, a natural person or legal person shall need a special authorisation (licence).

(2) A merchant shall receive the duplicate of a special authorisation (licence), if the special authorisation (licence) has been damaged, lost or stolen, or a repeat special authorisation (licence) if the particulars contained therein regarding the merchant have changed or if a different place of manufacture, repair, possession or sale of weapons, ammunition, the parts thereof or special means has been established.

(3) A State fee shall be paid for the issuance of a special authorisation (licence), a duplicate thereof or a repeat special authorisation (licence).

(4) The Cabinet shall determine the requirements for the receipt of a special authorisation (licence), the requirements which shall be observed by the merchant during the period of operation of a special authorisation (licence), the procedures by which a special authorisation (licence), the duplicate thereof or a repeat special authorisation (licence) shall be issued to a merchant, a special authorisation (licence) shall be revoked, the operation of a special authorisation (licence) shall be suspended, as well as the amount and procedures for payment of the State fee to be paid for the issuance of a special authorisation (licence), the duplicate thereof and a repeat special authorisation (licence).

(5) The particulars regarding special authorisations (licences), the commercial companies and individual merchants who have received them, the persons who are entitled to represent a commercial company, the employees thereof, as well as the employees subject to restrictions prescribed by this Law, shall be registered by the State Police in the Register of Licences and Certificates. The Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior shall be the holder and manager of the Register.

(6) The Cabinet shall determine the extent of the particulars to be included in the Register of Licences and Certificates, the procedures for the inclusion, utilisation and cancellation, as well as the authorities to which access to the particulars contained in this Register shall be granted.

Section 42. Special Authorisations (Licences)

(1) The State Police shall issue special authorisations (licences) giving the following rights:

1) to manufacture, sell, export and display in exhibitions Category A firearms (except military firearms and special means), Category B, C and D firearms, pneumatic weapons, gas pistols (revolvers), the ammunition of the weapons referred to, non-firearm weapons or special means;

2) to repair Category A firearms (except military firearms and special means), Category B, C and D firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons, gas pistols (revolvers) or special means;

3) to acquire, import and sell in retail trade Category A, B, C and D firearms classified for service use and the ammunition thereof, gas pistols (revolvers), special means intended for protecting public order and safety, for fulfilling service or work duties, the needs of such legal persons who have the right, in accordance with this Law, to acquire such weapons, ammunition or special means and to export these weapons, ammunition and special means;

4) to acquire, import, export and sell:

a) Category B, C and D hunting, sport and self-defence firearms and the ammunition thereof,

b) pneumatic weapons and the ammunition thereof,

c) gas pistols (revolvers) and the ammunition thereof intended for self-defence,

d) special means intended for self-defence,

e) non-firearm weapons.

(2) The manufacture, repair and import of military firearms and special means for the needs of the State authorities which are allowed military weapons, ammunition and special means, and the export and transit of these objects is permitted to merchants who have received the special authorisation (licence) of the Ministry of Defence for commercial activities with the goods referred to in the Common Military List of the European Union. The special authorisation (licence) referred to 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 issuance of special authorisations (licences) for the manufacture of gunpowder, as well as the procedures for the manufacture of gunpowder, shall be determined by the laws and regulations governing the handling of explosive substances and explosive devices for civil uses.

(4) A special authorisation (licence) for the manufacture of weapons, ammunition or special means shall also give the right to manufacture the weapons and ammunition of the relevant category, except gunpowder, or the parts of special means, to possess, sell, export and display these objects at exhibitions, as well as to acquire and possess the weapons and ammunition of the relevant category or the parts and semi-finished parts of weapons necessary for the manufacture of special means.

(5) A special authorisation (licence) for the repair of weapons shall also give the right to acquire and possess the weapon parts necessary for the repair of weapons.

(6) A special authorisation (licence) for the sale of Category B, C and D hunting, sport and self-defence firearms shall also give the right to acquire, possess, import, export, sell and display at exhibitions the exchangeable barrels of long hunting and sport firearms.

(7) A special authorisation (licence) for the sale of Category B, C and D hunting, sport and self-defence firearms shall also give the right to acquire, possess, import, export, sell and display at exhibitions industrially manufactured cartridge parts and devices for loading cartridges of the relevant firearms.

(8) A special authorisation (licence) for the sale of weapons, ammunition and special means shall also give the right to display them at exhibitions, as well as to carry out intermediary transactions with weapons, ammunition and special means.

(9) A special authorisation (licence) for the sale of firearms and high energy pneumatic weapons shall give the right to accept personal firearms, high energy pneumatic weapons, gas pistols (revolvers) and ammunition of the corresponding category and type of natural persons for storage after co-ordination with the State Police for a time period not exceeding 36 months, but not longer than the period of validity indicated in the authorisation for the carrying of a weapon.

[13 June 2013]

Section 43. Restrictions for the Issuance of Special Authorisations (Licences)

(1) A special authorisation (licence) for commercial activities with weapons, ammunition and special means, as well as the essential parts of firearms and parts of firearm ammunition shall be issued to individual merchants and commercial companies, if the individual merchant, participants of a commercial company or managers and employees having access to weapons, ammunition, the parts thereof or special means in accordance with work duties, are citizens of Latvia, citizens of a European Union Member State or citizens of a European Economic Area State having reached the age of at least 21 years, and the restrictions specified in Paragraph two of this Section do not apply to the merchant.

(2) It is prohibited to issue a special authorisation (licence):

1) if an individual merchant, participant of a commercial company or manager, or an employee having access to weapons, ammunition, the parts thereof or special means in accordance with work duties:

a) has been punished for committing a criminal offence - before the conviction has been extinguished or set aside;

b) is a person who has been applied the status of an accused person during criminal proceedings;

c) has been released from criminal liability in accordance with Section 58 of the Criminal Law - until a year has passed after entering into effect of the relevant decision;

d) has been conditionally released from criminal liability in accordance with Section 58.1 of the Criminal Law - prior to the end of the probationary period;

e) has been released from punishment in accordance with Section 59 of the Criminal Law - until a year has passed after entering into effect of the decision to release from punishment;

f) is being held in suspicion of committing a crime;

g) has been administratively punished for violations committed under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances, refusal to submit to a medical test for determining alcohol concentration, or a test for narcotic or other intoxicating substances, for petty hooliganism, for intentional infliction of insignificant bodily harm or for malicious non-compliance with the lawful orders or requests of a police officer, a border guard, a national guard or a soldier - until a year has passed after fulfilment of the administrative punishment;

2) if regarding an individual merchant, participant of a commercial company or manager, or an employee having access to weapons, ammunition, the parts thereof or special means in accordance with work duties:

a) the State Police has justified information that he or she may utilise the weapon or special means maliciously, endangering himself or herself, public order or safety;

b) the State Police, the Office of the Prosecutor or State security institutions have information confirming that the natural person belongs to a prohibited militarised or armed unit, a public organisation (party) or an association of public organisations (parties);

3) if an individual merchant, participant of a commercial company or manager, or an employee having access to weapons, ammunition, the parts thereof or special means in accordance with work duties:

a) has been diagnosed with medical contraindications for work involving weapons;

b) [13 June 2013];

c) has had his or her right to acquire, possess or carry weapons or right to be engaged in commercial activities in the field of handling weapons restricted (removed for a period of time) - prior to the expiry of the restriction of rights;

4) a merchant whose special authorisation (licence) for commercial activities with weapons, ammunition, special means, explosive substances, explosive devices or pyrotechnic articles has been revoked - until a year has passed after revocation thereof;

5) a merchant whose participant is a legal person whose special authorisation (licence) for commercial activities with weapons, ammunition, special means, explosive substances, explosive devices or pyrotechnic articles has been revoked within the last year;

6) a merchant whose participant or manager is a natural person who has been an individual merchant or participant of a merchant whose special authorisation (licence) for commercial activities with weapons, ammunition, special means, explosive substances, explosive devices or pyrotechnic articles has been revoked within the last year, or who has been the manager of such merchant;

7) a merchant, regarding which the State security institutions have information that the activities thereof are directed against the security of the Republic of Latvia or it violates the restrictions included in the international agreements or specified by the international organisations;

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

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

[13 June 2013]

Section 44. Procedures for the Manufacture, Repair, Acquisition, Sale, Export, Import, Transit, Transportation and Possession of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

(1) Merchants have the right to manufacture, possess and sell weapons, ammunition and special means, as well as to repair weapons and special means only in the specially equipped premises, of immovable properties, the address of which is indicated in the special authorisation (licence).

(2) Merchants shall establish a register in which information shall be entered regarding all manufactured, acquired and sold firearms, the ammunition and essential components thereof, also the essential components exchanged during repair, high energy pneumatic weapons and gas pistols (revolvers), as well as the weapons and ammunition accepted for storage.

(3) A merchant shall, within five working days, inform the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior regarding the acquisition and sale of each firearm, the exchangeable barrel thereof, high energy pneumatic weapon and gas pistol (revolver) in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

(4) Merchants shall be permitted to sell only such rifled barrel firearms with which control shots have been made at the State Police.

(5) In order to transport and convey firearms, the ammunition and essential components thereof, as well as high energy pneumatic weapons between the European Union Member States, a merchant shall require a document (authorisation) of prior consent, which 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.

(6) A merchant shall perform export, import or transit transactions with the weapons, ammunition, the parts thereof and special means listed in the Common Military List of the European Union, as well as transport and convey these objects between European Union Member States, including for temporary display at exhibitions, for demonstration or repair, in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations governing the handling of goods of strategic significance.

(7) It is prohibited to acquire and sell firearms, the ammunition thereof and essential components, as well as high energy pneumatic weapons, by entering into distance contracts.

(8) When advertising and offering firearms, the exchangeable barrels and ammunition thereof, as well as high energy pneumatic weapons and gas pistols (revolvers) on the Internet, it is prohibited to deliver and sell them outside the trading location (shop or warehouse) indicated in the special authorisation (licence).

(9) Merchants shall ensure the presence of armed employees for the transportation of firearms, ammunition and high energy pneumatic weapons in the territory of Latvia, if the total number of firearms and high energy pneumatic weapons to be transported exceeds 10 or if the number of firearm cartridges exceeds 100 000.

(10) The procedures by which merchants shall manufacture, acquire, register, possess, transport, convey, import, export and sell weapons, ammunition and special means, parts of firearms and parts of firearm ammunition, displays weapons, ammunition and special means in exhibitions, as well as repair weapons and special means shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[13 June 2013]

Section 45. Suspension of the Operation of Special Authorisations (Licences) and the Revocation of Special Authorisations (Licences)

(1) The State administrative institution which has issued the special authorisation (licence) is entitled to suspend the operation thereof for up to 60 days if:

1) there is reason to believe that the activities of the merchant endanger State security, stability, the fulfilment of international liabilities, public safety or order, the environment, human life, health or property - in order to perform an inspection and receive the opinions of competent authorities;

2) the merchant has violated the provisions for the manufacture, repair, possession, transportation or sale or other provisions for handling weapons - in order to suspend and rectify the violation.

(2) The State administrative institution which has issued the special authorisation (licence) is entitled to revoke it, if:

1) the restrictions for the issuance of the special authorisation (licence) referred to in Section 43 of this Law have been determined;

2) the merchant violates the requirements of this Law;

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

4) evidence that activities of the merchant endanger State security, stability, the fulfilment of international liabilities, public safety or order, the environment, human life, health or property have come to light;

5) the merchant has deliberately provided false information for the receipt of the special authorisation (licence);

6) the merchant is liquidated or the activities thereof are suspended for a period of time exceeding 60 days;

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

(3) A decision on the refusal to issue a special authorisation (licence), regarding the suspension of the operation of a special authorisation (licence) or regarding the revocation of a special authorisation (licence) may be contested and appealed in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law. The contesting or appeal of a decision shall not suspend the operation thereof.

Chapter XV
Marking and Unified Recording of Weapons and Ammunition

Section 46. Marking of Weapons and Ammunition

(1) Firearms and the ammunition thereof, high energy pneumatic weapons and gas pistols (revolvers) shall be marked during the manufacture thereof. All the essential components of firearms which are sold separately, without assembly of the firearm, shall be marked.

(2) It is prohibited to sell in Latvia unmarked firearms, the essential components and ammunition thereof, high energy pneumatic weapons and gas pistols (revolvers), which have been manufactured in foreign countries, until the marking thereof has been performed.

(3) The procedures for the marking of firearms, the essential components and ammunition thereof, high energy pneumatic weapons and gas pistols (revolvers) shall be determined by the Cabinet.

Section 47. Unified Recording of Firearms, High Energy Pneumatic Weapons and Gas Pistols (Revolvers)

(1) All firearms, exchangeable barrels and high energy pneumatic weapons of natural persons and legal persons of Latvia (except the National Armed Forces and the Constitution Protection Bureau) and persons to which weapons authorisations have been issued, as well as gas pistols (revolvers) and the persons who have been issued weapons authorisations, as well as gas pistols (revolvers), and the persons who have acquired them shall be registered in the Weapons Register. The Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior shall be the holder and manager of the Weapons Register.

(2) The Cabinet shall determine the extent of the particulars to be included in the Weapons Register, the procedures for the inclusion, utilisation and cancellation, as well as the authorities to which access to the particulars contained in this Register shall be granted.

Section 48. Control Collection of Bullets and Shells

(1) Control shots shall be made at the State Police for all Category A, B and C rifled firearms (except firearms and traumatic firearms of the National Armed Forces) in circulation in Latvia, in which the bullet is in direct contact with the barrel at the moment of shooting. Control shots shall be made at the State Police with a Category A rifled firearm and Category B semi-automatic, non-automatic or single-shot short self-defence firearm (except an award firearm) once every five years. The State Police shall keep the control collection of bullets and shells in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

(2) A natural person and legal person shall submit a rifled firearm (also its exchangeable barrel) and the ammunition provided therefor (three cartridges) to the State Police for making control shots not later than within five working days after bringing of the firearm or its exchangeable barrel in the Republic of Latvia (except foreign citizens whose stay in the Republic of Latvia with rifled firearms does not exceed three months). The exchangeable barrel and lock set of a rifled firearm shall be submitted for making control shots with such firearm for which it is provided for. The procedures for making control shots shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(3) If repair of a rifled firearm has been performed and as a result of that the traces on the shot bullets and shells have changed, the person performing the repair shall deliver the firearm to the State Police within five working days after repair for making of control shots.

(4) The Cabinet shall determine the types of firearm repairs due to which the traces on the shot bullets and shells change.

(5) The State Police shall make control shots for a fee in accordance with the approved price list of paid services.

(6) The State Police shall make control shots free-of-charge with firearms owned by the institutions of the system of the Ministry of the Interior, State security institutions, the State Revenue Service, the Latvian Prison Administration, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, local government police and port police and sports firearms of State or local government educational institutions.

[13 June 2013]

Chapter XVI
Monitoring of the Handling of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

Section 49. Control of the Handling of Weapons, Ammunition, the Parts Thereof and Special Means

(1) The State Police shall control how the natural persons and legal persons to whom the State Police have issued the authorisations and special authorisations (licences) referred to in this Law for commercial activities with weapons, ammunition and special means, comply with the provisions for the handling of weapons, ammunition, the parts thereof and special means.

(2) The transportation or conveyance of weapons, ammunition, special means and the parts thereof across the State border of the Republic of Latvia shall be controlled by the State Border Guard and customs authorities according to the competence thereof.

(3) Upon request of a police officer or an official of such authority, the competence of which includes the control of the handling of weapons, a natural person and legal person shall present the weapon, ammunition, special means and the parts thereof and the relevant weapons authorisation.

(4) An officer of the State Police has the right, without prior warning, to inspect the conditions of the possession of firearms, ammunition, the parts thereof and high energy pneumatic weapons at the address indicated in the weapons authorisation or in the special authorisation (licence) and to remove the weapons, ammunition and the parts thereof, if the procedures for the possession thereof have been violated.

(5) If a firearm, an essential component thereof, a high energy pneumatic weapon or a gas pistol (revolver) has been lost or stolen, the owner thereof shall immediately notify the nearest State Police institution.

[13 June 2013]

Section 50. Control of the Handling of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means Owned by Individual State Authorities and Local Governments

[13 June 2013]

(1) The Ministry of Defence shall perform the civil control of the handling of weapons, ammunition and special means owned by the National Armed Forces and the Military Intelligence and Security Service, as well as the civil control of the handling of weapons, ammunition and special means of foreign armed forces and the officials thereof staying in Latvia.

(2) The control of the handling of weapons, ammunition and special means owned by the institutions of the system of the Ministry of the Interior, the Latvian Prison Administration and the State Revenue Service shall be performed by the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance accordingly.

(3) The handling of the weapons, ammunition and special means owned by the Constitution Protection Bureau, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau and the Security Department of the Bank of Latvia shall be controlled by officials determined by the Director of the Constitution Protection Bureau, the Director of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau and the President of the Bank of Latvia accordingly, the handling of local government police weapons, ammunition and special means - by the relevant local government, but the handling of port police weapons, ammunition and special means - by the relevant port authority.

[13 June 2013]

Section 51. Classification of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

(1) An officer of the State Police or an official of another State administrative institution is entitled to withdraw weapons, ammunition, the parts thereof and special means of natural persons and legal persons according to the competence thereof, if:

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

2) it is necessary in administrative or criminal proceedings;

3) the natural person or the legal person whose period of validity of the authorisation for the possession, carrying or collecting of weapons has expired or whose weapons authorisation has been revoked, does not hand over a firearm, the parts and ammunition thereof or a high energy pneumatic weapon to the State Police in the time period specified in Section 21, Paragraph one of this Law;

4) the period of validity of the special authorisation (licence) has expired or the special authorisation (licence) has been revoked;

5) the owner of the firearm or high energy pneumatic weapon, or gas pistol (revolver) has died or the whereabouts thereof are not known;

6) the legal person, to which weapons have been registered, is being liquidated or the operations thereof are being suspended;

7) weapons, ammunition or special means do not conform to the technical regulations and are not suitable for further utilisation;

8) it is determined by a court adjudication.

(2) If a person is being held in suspicion of committing a criminal offence or is being held administratively liable for violations committed under the influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances, for refusal to submit to a medical test for determining alcohol concentration, or a test for narcotic or other intoxicating substances, for petty hooliganism or for malicious non-compliance with the lawful orders or requests of a police officer, a border guard, a national guard or a soldier, the State Police are entitled to withdraw temporarily the weapon, the parts and ammunition thereof, as well as the weapons authorisation and keep it until a decision on the revocation of the authorisation or an adjudication of acquittal of the person has been taken.

(3) The State Police has the right to withdraw and store temporarily a weapon and ammunition, if a person has suffered a road traffic accident and is not capable of ensuring subsequent transportation or carrying thereof or there are justified suspicions that the person is having medical contraindications, as well as in other situations, in order to prevent the possibility of losing, stealing or utilising the weapon or ammunition maliciously.

(4) The relatives of a deceased weapon owner or persons living at the address indicated in the relevant weapons authorisation and at the address of the gas pistol (revolver), shall ensure that the State Police may withdraw the weapons and ammunition.

[13 June 2013]

Section 52. Possession and Alienation of Withdrawn Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

(1) If a decision has been taken on removal of right for the acquisition, possession and carrying of weapons, or on the revocation or not extending the period of validity of the authorisation, and this decision has entered into effect, the State Police shall keep the handed over or withdrawn firearm, high energy pneumatic weapon, ammunition and the parts thereof for not longer than 60 days.

(2) If a person has had an authorisation for the possession or carrying of a personal award weapon revoked, the State Police may store the personal award firearm, high energy pneumatic weapon and ammunition handed over thereby or withdrawn therefrom on the grounds of a submission from the weapons owner until the expiry of the restriction of the right for the acquisition, possession or carrying of weapons, but not longer than one year from the day of the entering into effect of the decision.

(3) In case of death or unknown whereabouts of the owner of a firearm or high energy pneumatic weapon, or gas pistol (revolver), the State Police may keep the handed over or withdrawn weapon, ammunition and the parts thereof until an heir has been identified or until the person whose whereabouts are unknown has been located, but not longer than 18 months from the day of the handing over or withdrawal of the weapon.

(4) In the case referred to in Section 51, Paragraph three of this Law, the State Police shall keep the withdrawn weapon and ammunition temporarily, until it is received by the weapon owner, but not longer than 90 days from the day of withdrawal.

(5) After expiry of the time period referred to in Paragraphs one, two, three and four of this Section, the State Police shall hand over weapons, ammunition and the parts thereof for selling to a merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the selling of firearms or transfer the registration on the basis of a submission to another person indicated in the submission who has received an authorisation for the acquisition of a weapon or hand it over to a merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the repair of weapons, for deactivating, or shall possess them in accordance with the price list of paid services provided by the State Police, or take a decision to destroy them.

(6) A merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the sale of the relevant weapons and ammunition, has a duty to accept for sale withdrawn firearms, the parts and ammunition thereof or high energy pneumatic weapons from the State Police, and after sale to pay compensation to the owner thereof.

(7) If a weapon or ammunition handed over for sale cannot be sold within 12 months after markdown, the merchant shall hand it over to the State Police for taking a decision to destroy or include in the collection of weapons and munitions of national significance or hand it over to a merchant who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the repair of weapons, for deactivating.

(8) [19 January 2012]

[19 January 2012; 13 June 2013]

Section 53. Destruction of Weapons, Ammunition and Special Means

[19 January 2012]

(1) The State Police shall take a decision to destroy such firearms, the parts thereof, high energy pneumatic weapons handed over or withdrawn, as well as confiscated, which have not been sold or are not in good working order or have not been labelled, whose technical classification has been altered or which have been modified for shooting in bursts or for conceal carry, and to destroy ammunition or special means which have not been marked, if it is not useful to include them in the collection of weapons and munitions of national significance.

(2) The firearms, ammunition and the parts thereof, high energy pneumatic weapons, gas pistols (revolvers) and special means which have been handed over or withdrawn, as well as confiscated shall be destroyed by the State Insurance Agency.

(3) The procedures for the destroying of weapons, ammunition and the parts thereof shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[19 January 2012]

Section 54. Liability for the Violation of Provisions for the Handling of Weapons, Ammunition, the Parts Thereof and Special Means

A person shall be held liable in accordance with the procedures laid down by the law for violation of the provisions specified in this Law and other laws and regulations regarding the handling of weapons, ammunition, the parts thereof or special means.

Transitional Provisions

1. With the coming into force of this Law the Law On the Handling of Weapons (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 2002, No. 14; 2003, No. 14; 2004, No. 10, 13; 2005, No. 24, 2006, No. 14; 2008, No. 3; 2009, No. 2, 10, 14; Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2010, No. 74, 162) is repealed.

2. By 31 December 2011, the Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in this Law.

[8 July 2011]

3. Until the coming into force of the new Cabinet regulations, but not longer than until 31 December 2011 the following Cabinet regulations shall be applicable insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law:

1) Cabinet Regulation No. 167 of 15 April 2003, Procedures for the Unified Recording of Firearms and High Energy Pneumatic Weapons;

2) Cabinet Regulation No. 565 of 14 October 2003, Procedures for the Issuance of an Authorisation for the Establishment and Operation of a Shooting Gallery (Shooting Stand), and the Procedures for the Utilisation of a Shooting Gallery (Shooting Stand);

3) Cabinet Regulation No. 631 of 4 November 2003, Regulations Regarding the Building up of Collections of Weapons and Ammunition of National Significance and the Classification of Weapons and Ammunition;

4) Cabinet Regulation No. 159 of 1 March 2005, Procedures for the Acquisition, Registration, Record Keeping, Possession, Transportation, Forwarding, Carrying, Realisation of Firearms, Ammunition and Gas Pistols (Revolvers) and Building up of Collections thereof;

5) Cabinet Regulation No. 488 of 2 September 2003, Regulations Regarding the State Fee for the Issuance of Authorisations and Special Authorisations (Licences) of All Types of Weapons, Ammunition, Special Means, Explosives, Explosive Devices and Pyrotechnic Articles, as well as Extending Their Term of Validity;

6) Cabinet Regulation No. 538 of 23 September 2003, Regulations Regarding the Commercial Handling of Weapons, Ammunition, Special Means, Explosives, Explosive Devices and Pyrotechnic Articles and the Classification and Use of Pyrotechnic Articles.

[8 July 2011]

4. Persons having acquired gas pistols (revolvers) until the coming into force of this Law, shall register them until 31 December 2014, submitting a relevant submission to the State Police, in which the personal information thereof and the type, mark, model, batch and number of the gas pistol (revolver) shall be indicated, or by using the electronic service provided by the Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior. Gas pistols (revolvers) which have not been marked according to the requirements of this Law, prior to the registration thereof, shall be submitted to such merchant for marking who has received a special authorisation (licence) for the repair of weapons, and after marking shall be registered with the State Police.

5. The period of validity of authorisations for the carrying of a weapon issued for an indefinite period of time shall be until 30 September 2023.

[13 June 2013]

6. Section 18.¹, Paragraph five of this Law shall come into force from 1 July 2014.

[13 June 2013]

Informative Reference to European Union Directives

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; and

2) Directive 2008/51/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 amending Council Directive 91/47/EEC on control of the acquisition and possession of weapons.

This Law shall come into force on 1 January 2011.

This Law was adopted by the Saeima on 28 October 2010

President V. Zatlers

Riga, 17 November 2010

 

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¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2014 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)