At a Glance

• Iraq received 10,222 applications to register privately owned firearms between October 2 and 9, according to Security Media Cell chief Saad Maan.
• The Interior Ministry operates 449 weapons-registration offices across the country to facilitate applications.
• Nearly six million weapons have been registered, according to figures previously reported by Iraqi authorities.
• The government’s national program aims to regulate civilian firearm ownership, with officials warning that unregistered weapons may face enforcement measures.

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Iraq received 10,222 applications from citizens seeking to register their firearms between October 2 and 9, as part of the government’s national weapons-regulation program, Security Media Cell chief Major General Saad Maan announced.

Maan said the increase in applications reflected growing public confidence in government efforts to strengthen security and stability. He attributed the progress to the work of the Interior Ministry’s Directorate of Weapons Control and Regulation and its network of registration offices.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Saad Maan, Head of Iraq’s Security Media Cell: He said 10,222 applications were submitted between October 2 and 9 across police commands in Baghdad and other provinces.
• Registration Network: The Interior Ministry’s Directorate of Weapons Control and Regulation operates 449 offices to facilitate applications and improve communication with citizens.
• Registered Weapons: Iraqi authorities previously reported that the number of registered weapons was approaching six million.
• Focus: The initiative is part of the government’s wider effort to regulate civilian firearm possession and bring weapons under a legal framework.

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Maan said the 10,222 applications submitted between October 2 and 9 represented increased participation in the national weapons-regulation program.

He credited the Directorate of Weapons Control and Regulation, operating under the Interior Ministry’s Police Affairs Agency, with helping expand access to the registration process through 449 offices across Iraq.

According to Maan, the authorities are continuing to simplify procedures and strengthen engagement with citizens. He described the increase in applications as an indication of growing awareness of the importance of regulating firearm possession under the law.

Nearly Six Million Weapons Registered

Iraqi authorities have previously reported that nearly six million weapons had been registered under the government’s initiative. The figure reflects weapons registered to date, rather than the number of recent applications or individual applicants.

The registration program is intended to document privately owned firearms and regulate legal possession. The government has also emphasized that weapons must be held in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.

Applications can be submitted electronically through the Ur government services portal, which provides an online service for registering civilian firearms and applying for possession licences.

Registration Requirements and Enforcement

Under the eligibility requirements outlined in the supplied report, applicants must be Iraqi citizens aged over 25 and meet specified physical, psychological and legal criteria. Applicants must also provide a legitimate reason for possessing a firearm.

The report states that electronic applications are free until December 31, 2026, after which fees are expected to apply. It also says authorities intend to pursue unregistered weapons in a subsequent enforcement phase.

The precise enforcement timetable and applicable fees should be confirmed with the Interior Ministry before publication as definitive policy.

FYI

The increase in registration applications comes as Iraqi authorities seek to strengthen state oversight of civilian firearms and formalize weapons possession through a licensing system. The 10,222 applications recorded over eight days provide a snapshot of participation in the initiative, while the nearly six million registered weapons figure indicates the scale of the process to date.

However, registration numbers alone do not establish how many privately held weapons remain undocumented or how effectively the program has reduced armed violence. Its longer-term impact will depend on public participation, consistent enforcement, clear licensing procedures and the authorities’ ability to address weapons held outside the legal framework.

Geographic distinction: Reports on the program describe it as covering Iraq’s federal provinces, excluding the Kurdistan Region, where weapons regulation falls under separate regional authorities.

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