Over 45,000 individuals hold hunting weapons in Uzbekistan, the chief of Public Order Protection Department of the Interior Ministry, Davron Kasimov said at a press conference in late September.

According to the Firearms Law, control over civilian and service weapons in Uzbekistan shall be conducted by police bodies. Individuals who have reached the age of 25 have the right to purchase civilian hunting weapons and ammunition, subject to the terms and conditions.

"An individual must be member in a hunting society. They are required to complete a special 56-hour course on the handling and use of hunting weapons. These courses cover practical and theoretical training, environmental compliance, and firearms safety rules. Additionally, special physical and mental health examinations are required, after which a permit is issued, and the individual is registered with the internal affairs agencies," said Davron Kasimov.

Individuals with permits can purchase weapons at more than 40 Internal Ministry-managed hunting stores across Uzbekistan. Local neighbourhood officers and license control inspectors are entitled to monitor the gun owners.

He reported that in the first eight months of this year, more than 10,000 individuals were brought to administrative liability for violating rgulations for storage, safe use, or carrying of weapons.

"The hunting season is now closed, but hunters who poach or store weapons in unauthorized locations are still committing violations. It's not uncommon for permits to store and carry weapons to expire. This also leads to prosecution," noted Davron Kasimov.

In such cases, hunters shall be held accountable under the following charges of the Administrative Code:

• Article 185: Using weapons in violation of established procedures;
• Article 220: Violating rules for the circulation of weapons and ammunition;
• Article 221: Violation of weapons registration (re-registration) or renewal of permits for their circulation.

Furthermore, from January to August, 800 individuals were prosecuted under Article 248 of the Criminal Code for illegal possession of weapons in residential buildings and failure to register them with police bodies agencies.

Such cases are identified during investigative operations. Their findings show that many weapons have been kept since Soviet times—they were acquired by grandfathers and fathers but were never registered with police bodies. Many individuals are simply unaware of the law. "Our officers, and sometimes shepherds in the mountains and steppes, also find weapons," a the spokesperson reported.

According to Davron Kasimov, year-to-date, individuals have voluntarily surrendered over 1,000 weapons, including antiques and collectibles, to police bodies.

"I believe this is the result of our systematic efforts. According to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 310, individuals who voluntarily surrender their weapons receive a monetary reward," he said.