Currently approximately 32,000 firearms owners are registered in Latvia. Only 30% of them have received new weapons permits. The State Police are drawing attention to the fact that a large part of the old permits will expire on September 14 of this year.
As a result of the European Union directive, the classification of weapons has changed and will continue to be the same throughout the Union.
The arrangements for obtaining new permits for the possession, carrying, or collection of weapons are relatively simple.
“The person needs to file an application with the State Police. It can also be done remotely, simply by signing it electronically, it can also be submitted via mail, there is no mandatory arrival,” said State Police license and permit bureau representative Andris Melkers.
A photograph of the weapon must also be submitted. Once the new permit is ready and the technical classification is specified, it will have to be retrieved at the State Police.
“If it is done by September 14, 2023, if you do not miss this deadline, the authorization will be free,” added Andris Melkers.
It will also be possible to design the permit after September 14, but in that case, it will be a paid service.
State police are calling on gun owners not to postpone the change of permits until the last moment. More details on weapons permits are explained on the State Police website.
