PROBLEMATIC ISSUES OF CIRCULATION OF HUNTING FIREARMS IN UKRAINE: WAYS TO IMPROVE REGULATORY REGULATION

Abstract

The article considers the problematic issues of circulation in the country of rifled hunting weapons as the only type of rifled firearms allowed for possession and storage at the place of residence of all categories of citizens of Ukraine who have reached a certain age and have no criminal record or medical contraindications. The normative documents which, in the absence of the corresponding Law, regulate the order of circulation of civilian firearms in the state are analyzed. Forensic features of hunting firearms are formulated and it is concluded that a significant number of samples of weapons sold on the territory of Ukraine as hunting weapons do not correspond to them. Citing specific examples from his own expert practice, the author argues that due to the lack of effective legal regulation of arms trafficking in the state, in fact, it is impossible to define a clear line between hunting weapons that are allowed to possess and store at the owner’s residence and other weapons (combat, sports, multi-purpose, self-defense, etc.), the civil circulation of which is prohibited or restricted in Ukraine. Based on the experimental shooting, it is proved that some samples of registered hunting firearms intended for firing with 9x21 IMI pistol cartridges do not provide guaranteed damage to animals and birds during hunting due to low rates of fire. It is concluded that the current standards governing the requirements for rifled firearms and ammunition are imperfect and contain technical and logical inconsistencies with other regulations, and therefore need to be revised. The article also proposes ways to improve the regulatory framework for the circulation of rifled hunting firearms in the country in compliance with the requirements of legislation and policy documents on the adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to the legislation of the European Union.