Gun laws in Lithuania

Lithuanian law allows firearm possession on shall-issue basis. With approximately 13.6 civilian firearms per 100 people, Lithuania is 58th most armed country in the world.

Number of registered arms in Lithuania by year (in thousands)[1][2][3]

History
Main article: Gun control in the Soviet Union

When Lithuania was part of the Soviet Union firearm possession was tightly controlled and most citizens were not allowed to keep firearms. In 1990 Gorbachev ordered confiscation of all weapons in Lithuania[1].

In 1993 Lithuania allowed possession of firearms for purposes of self-defense on may-issue basis – applicant needed to prove danger for one's life. In 1997 this requirement was abolished making process shall-issue[4]. In 2002 Lithuania passed new firearm law which is still in force today with some amendments. Since then number of legal firearms began to rise, doubling from 61,544 in 2002 to 127,984 in 2017.

Current law

Lithuanian law allows firearm possession for following purposes:

  • Hunting;
  • Sport shooting;
  • Self-defense;
  • Professional activities;
  • Collection;
  • Training;
  • Scientific research;
  • Other (at discretion of police).

Minimum age to own firearms is 23 for self-defense handguns, 21 for semi-automatic rifles, 18 years for semi-automatic shotguns and smooth-bore self-defense weapons and 16 years for sport shooting firearms. Every permanent resident of Lithuania of minimum age who passes examination has right to possess firearms for self-defense purposes. Article 12(5) forbids police from refusing granting license without valid reason. Any such refusal may be appealed to court.

Carrying firearms is allowed with permit to carry. Police also must have good reason to refuse such permit as per Article 40.6. There should be no bullet in chamber while carrying except revolvers which should not be cocked with exception of direct threat to the person’s health or life.

Fully automatic firearms, explosive missiles, mortars and flame throwers are prohibited

Firearm possession

As of 2019 there are 173,680 (or 6 per 100 people) registered firearms in Lithuania owned by 94,352 people including 30,165 pistols, 37,473 rifles, 47,796 smoothbore rifles, 34,016 gas handguns, 19,684 revolvers and 4,564 others[3].

Gun crime
Homicides using firearms (blue) and all homicides (orange) in Lithuania by year

Between 1995 and 2018 number of homicides using firearms has fallen by more than 98% from 252 to four, while overall number of homicides has fallen by 85% from 505 to 72.[5][2]

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See also

References
  • "Law on the control of arms and ammunition" (PDF). 15 January 2002. Retrieved 4 October 2019.

Footnotes
  1. "Lithuanians Must Surrender Arms, Gorbachev Orders : Soviet Union: The KGB is instructed to enforce tougher visa controls and border checks. The Baltic state's leaders are dismayed, but they remain defiant". March 22, 1990.
  2. "Guns in Lithuania". GunPolicy.org.
  3. "Audrius Bareišis 2019.02.02 19:46 Parašyti autoriui > Suskaičiuoti ginklai Lietuvoje: aiškėja, kam lietuviai juos perka" (in Lithuanian). February 2, 2012.
  4. Bareišis, Audrius (July 31, 2012). "Ginklų išdavimas Lietuvoje: pastangos narstyti po kaulelį atsiperka" (in Lithuanian).
  5. "Mirties priežastys" (in Lithuanian).
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