Basic regulatory documents

There is no single regulatory act regarding pneumatic weapons in the legislation of Ukraine. Law enforcement agencies are guided in this matter by several documents:

  • Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of October 12, 1992 No. 576 “On approval of the Regulations on the permitting system.”
  • Instruction approved by order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of August 21, 1998 No. 622.
  • Code of Ukraine on Administrative Violations (KUPAN).

These resources allow you to determine the procedure for acquiring, legalizing, storing, using and transporting weapons of various types, as well as responsibility for violating operating rules.

Popular air rifles

What pneumatics are subject to registration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs?

Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 576 will help answer the question whether or not a license for pneumatics is needed in 2024. The first section “General Provisions” (clause 2) states that the licensing system applies to pneumatic weapons with a caliber of over 4.5 mm and a bullet speed of over 100 m /With. Thus, only if both conditions are met will the user have to think about obtaining the necessary permissions.

In stores you can find a large number of air pistols and rifles with different powers, but most of them comply with the 4.5 mm standard, and therefore are freely sold to persons over 18 years of age. They do not require permits or licenses.

Special attention should be paid to models chambered for the Flaubert cartridge, since its distribution without a license is only possible for 4 mm caliber. All other weapons are registered in exactly the same order as firearms.

In the spring of 2023, the Law “On the Right to Civil Firearms” also came into force in Ukraine, which lifts the ban on the purchase of short-barreled combat pistols and allows them to be used for self-defense in wartime (prohibited in peacetime). Therefore, now there are many options available to users for purchasing weapons (except automatic) of licensed and free types.

If you don’t know where to start when choosing pneumatics for specific tasks, we recommend using the appropriate guide for pistols and rifles.

Popular air pistols

List of documents and procedure for obtaining a license

First you need to take a course on handling weapons, where they study the material, rules and issue the appropriate certificate. Next, we obtain permission to carry powerful pneumatic weapons with a caliber over 4.5 mm or weapons chambered for a Flaubert cartridge over 4 mm. You must contact the appropriate department of the permitting system of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

The package of documents includes:

  • Medical certificate in form 127/o with official conclusions of a psychiatrist and narcologist.
  • Certificate of no criminal record.
  • Application addressed to the head of the RU of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine for the issuance of a permit.
  • Receipt for payment of state duty.
  • A photocopy of passport data and identification code (TIN).
  • Four 3x4 cm photo cards.
  • Contract of compulsory civil liability insurance for the owner of a weapon.
  • A certificate about the study of the material part of the weapon, special means, rules for handling them and their use.

After receiving permission, you can go to the store and choose pneumatics for your purposes. The purchased weapon is brought back to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, checked for compliance with the characteristics and the absence of third-party modifications. As a result, a license is issued for 3 years, which then needs to be renewed on time.

Popular Flaubert revolvers

Rules for handling air guns

4.5 mm air guns are not lethal regardless of power. Pistols and rifles, which do not require a license, can be freely carried, stored at home and used. However, following the rules is of great importance, since the safety of you and those around you depends on it:

  • First and most importantly, never point a weapon at a person! Free-flowing pneumatics are designed for sports and entertainment. It has no lethal force, but it can cause irreparable damage. Therefore, you need to use targets, cans, and bottles as targets. Take special care with hunting rifles. They can be powerful enough to provide good range.
  • It is prohibited to use air guns in public places. An exception may be self-defense if it was impossible to avoid the conflict by other means. Shooting should be carried out in equipped shooting ranges or in open areas to avoid ricochet.
  • Storage, carrying and transportation are only possible when unloaded. The weapon must be in a special case without a CO 2 cylinder, a cocked mechanism, or a cartridge in the bullet chamber. This applies to both rifles and pistols. Products chambered for Flaubert must be carried without ammunition in the chamber or drum.
  • You can store pneumatic weapons at home without a special safe, but it is necessary to completely exclude the possibility of children having access to this place. Cabinets with a lock and the top shelves of tall furniture are best. Licensed weapons must be hidden in a closed iron box or safe. If the number of “guns” exceeds three, the premises must be connected to autonomous or departmental security.
Popular gun safes

Responsibility for violation of operating rules

According to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Violations, appropriate liability is provided for violation of the rules for handling any type of weapon.

Article 190 defines violations by citizens of the procedure for acquiring, storing, transferring to other persons or selling firearms, cold steel or pneumatic weapons.

The following penalties are provided:

  • imposition of a fine from seven to ten tax-free minimum incomes of citizens with or without confiscation of weapons;
  • imposing a fine of ten to fifteen tax-free minimum incomes of citizens with mandatory confiscation of weapons (for a repeated violation within a year after the previous one).

Article 174 controls violations of the rules of shooting from firearms, cold metal or pneumatic weapons, devices for shooting cartridges equipped with rubber or non-lethal metal projectiles of similar properties in populated areas and in places not designated for this purpose or in violation of the established order.

The penalties are as follows:

  • imposition of a fine from one hundred to one hundred and fifty tax-free minimum incomes of citizens with confiscation of weapons.

Any pneumatic weapon is a weapon. Unjustified use and associated damage to health can quickly transfer responsibility from the administrative area to the criminal. So when handling air pistols and rifles, try to be extremely careful and careful.