The legislation on the issue, possession and use of shotguns is becoming even stricter. A bill approved by the Council of Ministers on the 2nd of the month and forwarded to Parliament yesterday for a vote, makes it possible to ban the possession and use of a hunting weapon to persons who have been convicted of a number of crimes either in Cyprus or abroad. The current legislation does not include provision for convictions abroad.
The offenses for which the conviction constitutes an impediment to the issuance of a license to obtain and possess a hunting weapon are the following: murder, rape, kidnapping, arson, high treason, robbery, attitude-participation in an illegal organization, premeditated murder or attempted murder, attempted murder, possession, manufacture, storage or transport of explosives, attempted destruction of property with explosives, as well as illegal possession, use, and trafficking of drugs.
In addition, the bill adds the insurance valve for the issuance of an air pistol / revolver license by the Chief of Police only to members of a shooting club exclusively for shooting purposes in a licensed shooting range.
This amendment to the current legislation was deemed necessary as with the recent amendment that was made, the power to issue possession and use permits was transferred from the Council of Ministers to the Chief of Police. However, without providing an obligation to the applicant to meet any conditions, as a result, there is a risk that every citizen can possess an air pistol without being an athlete. This fact was considered dangerous by the Police, which requested the immediate amendment of the legislation.
Source: FILELEFTHEROS