Slemani Police Warn Unlicensed Weapon Holders Face Legal Action
At a Glance
- Slemani police say possessing an unlicensed firearm is considered a legal offense under Kurdistan Region weapons legislation.
- Police say the registration period for unlicensed weapons has expired, with nearly three years having passed since the deadline.
- Individuals who still possess unlicensed weapons and seek to surrender them may face an investigation file under Article 15 of the law.
- Police say exceptions may apply where individuals can provide documented justification for why they were unable to surrender or register their weapons within the prescribed period.
Slemani police have warned that individuals who continue to possess unlicensed weapons may face legal action, citing Kurdistan Region Law No. 2 of 2022 regulating firearms.
Speaking to Channel8, Ari Latif, spokesperson for the Slemani General Directorate of Police, said people who possessed unlicensed weapons were given a 60-day period following the enactment of the law to register their firearms.
Key Statement
“Anyone who possesses an unlicensed weapon is considered to have committed an offense.”
— Ari Latif, spokesperson for the Slemani General Directorate of Police
Registration Deadline
Latif said the introduction of the weapons law was initially met with a positive response, with a large number of residents registering their previously unlicensed firearms.
However, he said the legally designated period has now expired, with nearly three years having passed since the registration deadline.
According to Latif, individuals who still possess unlicensed weapons and seek to surrender them can be subject to legal procedures under Article 15 of the weapons law.
Police say investigation files will be opened against those who violate the applicable provisions.
Possible Exceptions
Latif said authorities may consider cases in which individuals can provide documented evidence explaining why they were unable to surrender their weapons within the prescribed period.
In such cases, he said, the person may not face legal action if the justification is accepted under the applicable legal provisions.
The statement places emphasis on the circumstances surrounding each case and the individual's ability to provide supporting documentation.
Enforcement Of Weapons Law
Kurdistan Region authorities have tightened controls over the possession and handling of firearms through Law No. 2 of 2022, alongside regulations and procedures issued by the Ministry of Interior.
The legislation establishes requirements governing firearms possession and registration and prohibits the possession or handling of weapons without the required authorization.
Slemani police say their latest warning is aimed at enforcing those provisions after the expiration of the designated registration period.
FYI
The police statement marks a shift from the earlier registration phase of the weapons law toward enforcement after the expiration of the deadline. The initial registration campaign allowed holders of previously unlicensed weapons to bring their firearms into the legal registration system, while the current warning indicates that authorities are now focusing on individuals who remain outside that process.
The key distinction is between lawful registration or authorization and continued possession of an unlicensed weapon. Police say Article 15 provides the legal basis for opening investigation files in cases involving weapons that remain unregistered, while documented circumstances may be considered where an individual can demonstrate why compliance was not possible.
The announcement also reflects the Kurdistan Region's broader effort to strengthen regulation of firearms and limit unauthorized possession under the 2022 weapons law.
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