Stricter gun rules: Age limit raised to 21, permits validity shortened
The Government of Montenegro will review the Draft Law on Weapons and Ammunition today, which introduces stricter conditions for firearm possession, raises the minimum age requirement, and shortens the validity period of permits, Deputy Prime Minister for Security Aleksa Bečić announced.
- We have a Draft Law on Weapons and Ammunition, consisting of around 150 articles, fully aligned with the European Commission, and representing an important benchmark in the EU accession negotiations. The essence of this law is to improve record-keeping systems, tighten control mechanisms, and strengthen sanctions for non-compliance. The reforms introduced by this legislative proposal move in several directions - he said.
As he explained, the conditions for obtaining firearm permits are being tightened in order to prevent abuse.
- When it comes to stricter conditions for obtaining gun licenses, improvements include the following: the minimum age is increased from 18 to 21, the validity period of permits is reduced from 10 to five years, and the range of criminal offenses, whether a person has been convicted or is under investigation, that disqualify them from obtaining a firearm permit is being expanded. Firearm permits may be issued to foreign nationals with permanent residence as well as Montenegrin citizens - Bečić said.
Medical certificates will be issued by public healthcare institutions, specifically health centers in Kotor, Podgorica, and Berane, based on assessments by commissions established within those institutions.
Bečić also noted that the law provides extraordinary, unannounced inspections.
Minister of Interior Danilo Šaranović described this law as a fundamental change.
- This law stems from the need for society to be safer and more responsible in addressing risks - Šaranović said.
He emphasized that citizens were involved in shaping the law.
- The initiative known as the „Marko and Mašan Law“ was seriously considered, and a significant portion of its proposals has been incorporated. Those that could not be included will be addressed through other regulatory acts - he added.
Šaranović stressed that the law has received support from the European Commission and clarified that it also regulates the marking of firearms.
- Every firearm must have a clear identification marking - he said, adding that the law defines the categories of persons eligible to possess weapons.