Lithuanian MPs vote to ban Belarusians, Russians from owning firearms

December 22, BPN. The Lithuanian Seimas has approved amendments to the law on firearm ownership with 112 MPs voting in favor, 13 abstaining and one voting against, its press office reported.

The amendments will come into force on April 1, 2023. They prohibit Belarusians and Russians permanently residing in Lithuania from buying and possessing firearms and ammunition.

Belarusians and Russians who already own firearms have one year to sell, exchange or hand in their weapons. Lithuania will revoke their firearm licenses.

Earlier reports said that 42 Belarusians and 294 Russians residing in Lithuania possessed firearms.

Estonia banned Russians and Belarusians from owning firearms on December 1.