Amendment to Turkish firearm regulations raises concerns on individual armament

Duvar English

A recent amendment to Turkey's firearms regulations expanded eligibility for personal armament in the country, allowing for more public servants to buy firearms, the daily Sözcü reported on Sep. 20.

Gun license renewal conditions were also changed as part of the amendment, making it possible for persons deemed "objectionable" for owning licenses to be re-evaluated. 

The re-assignment of a license for a person previously deemed unfit to carry will be dependent on a court ruling calling for the reinstatement of their rights.

Five years will also need to have elapsed since the execution of the person's sentence.

Persons under prosecution for certain crimes, including violence against women, will have their guns confiscated during the period of the lawsuit against them. 

The amendment will permit members of the state of emergency inspection commission to obtain gun licenses, alongside secretaries general of metropolitan municipalities and provincial directorates. 

Contractors have also been added to the list of professions eligible to obtain gun licenses based on the scope of their construction projects. 

Gun licenses are currently assigned to eligible persons for five years in Turkey, and a one-time fee of 7,606 Turkish Liras is required as part of the application.