National Firearms Association (NAO): The Draft-Law on Possession of Firearms is not transparent

The National Firearms Association believes that the Government’s proposed draft-Law on Possession of Firearms should be revoked from the Parliamentary procedure, because it was prepared in an non-transparent procedure and does not correspond to the European Legislation in the field. According to NAO, the draft-Law not only fails to offer a quality and democratic legislation, but further stimulates the illegal trade in firearms. Vladimir Pendovski, President of the National Firearms Association, and chairperson of the coordination body selected by the signatories of the petition to revoke the Draft-Law from Parliamentary procedure, said at the press conference held today that the draft-Law needs essential and thorough reworking, which could be done in cooperation with the scientific institutions, civic associations and domestic and international experts. The Coordination body also reacted at the imprecise definitions and provisions on the procedural and discretion rights of the Ministry of Interior, regarding the issuing of permits to posses and carry firearms. According to this body, it is unacceptable that the permits, issued according to the existing legislation, to have to be reviewed every ten or twenty years.