Obtaining a license for weapons, as well as ammunition for them

If you have long dreamed of buying yourself a classic double-barreled shotgun or a powerful pneumatic gun and already see yourself as a kind of experienced hunter, but a bunch of difficulties and incomprehensible documents are preventing you from taking a step towards your dream? Then keep the instructions with explanations, and become one step closer to your dream.

According to the current legislation, not only military personnel and law enforcement officers, but also ordinary citizens can own weapons. However, before going to a gun store, you will have to go through many preparatory steps. The most important thing to do is to obtain a weapons permit. Without such a document, you will not be able to legally store your arsenal at home - this would be a criminal offense with quite severe penalties. You also need to take into account that in most cases you will need a license to purchase weapons - this is not the same thing as a permit; you will have to be licensed separately.

In order to spend as little time as possible on solving administrative issues, we recommend that you figure out in advance how to obtain a weapons permit in 2021. Even if you have already gone through this procedure before, it would still be a good idea to refresh and update your knowledge. Indeed, over the past few years, the rules for obtaining permits have changed several times. To make your preparation easier, the experts of the Trophy online store have prepared a detailed action plan for you, analyzed all the significant nuances and latest changes, and also prepared answers to frequently asked questions.

What is the difference between a license and a permit

The key difference between these 2 documents is the nature of the aspects of handling weapons they regulate:

• the license gives the right to purchase it;
• the permit serves as a legal basis for storing and carrying weapons.

Moreover, whether you need to receive or not receive this or that document depends on what kind of weapon you want to purchase. Let's take a closer look.

According to the current legislation, the entire range of goods falling under the definition of “weapons” can be divided into 3 groups according to characteristics and areas of application:

• civil - ordinary citizens can own and use it;
• official - with the appropriate permission, it can be used by employees of internal affairs bodies and security organizations;
• combat - an arsenal for combat operations.

Of all the above, we are interested in civilian weapons, since obtaining a service weapon, and especially a combat weapon, is a completely different issue that requires separate detailed consideration.

Thus, the list of required documents depends on the “seriousness” of the desired product. In particular, you will need a license for an air gun if its power exceeds 3J, and if it is more than 7.5J, then you will have to obtain a permit with all the ensuing consequences. More detailed information is presented in the table below. From it you will understand which weapons do not require permission and a license, and which ones require them separately or together.

Types of weapons	Document
	License to purchase	Permission to store, carry
1) For self-defense
Stun guns	–	–
Gas pistols, spray cans, etc.	—	–
Barrelless weapons (OOW) with gas, traumatic cartridges	+	+
Smoothbore firearms using conventional or traumatic cartridges	+	+
2) Sports equipment
Throwing weapons, pneumatics with power up to 3J	–	–
Cold blade	–	+
Firearm with a smooth barrel	+	+
Firearm rifled	+	+
3) Hunting arsenal
Pneumatics with muzzle power over 7.5J	+	+
Smoothbore firearms, including models with rifles up to 14 cm	+	+
Firearm rifled	+	+
Combined firearms, including models with insert and replaceable barrels	+	+

If you want to buy a cold version, then in this case there will be even less difficulties. By default, such samples cannot fire traditional ammunition - they are adapted to work exclusively with imitation cartridges. A reverse conversion to a combat state is impossible. Therefore, you do not need a permit for a cold weapon.

In what cases can they refuse?

You may be denied permission to purchase a weapon for the following reasons:

• you are under 18 years old;
• no permanent registration;
• you provided inaccurate information or not all documents, for example, a medical certificate is not in the form, you are registered at a dispensary, etc.;
• training has not been documented;
• there is an outstanding/unexpunged conviction for an intentional crime;
• the court has deprived you of the right to own a weapon;
• less than a year has passed since you committed an administrative violation related to drugs or any other twice;
• you do not have prescribed conditions for storing weapons.

All of these can cause failure until they are corrected.

Owning a gun is a big responsibility. Even if it is just lying in the safe, you need to make sure that the dangerous item does not fall into the hands of children or people who do not know how to handle it.

Types of licenses and permits for weapons

Now let’s figure out what types of documents necessary for the purchase and use of weapons are divided into, and which of them need to be drawn up in a given situation.

According to current legislation, weapon licenses are divided into the following types, depending on what kind of weapon you plan to purchase:

• to gas;
• for pneumatic with muzzle energy more than 7.5 J;
• for gunshot traumatic injury;
• for long-barreled smoothbore firearms;
• for hunting rifled.

Let us remind you once again that licenses and permits are not interchangeable. A purchase license is issued before purchase - without it, no store will sell you a weapon. Permission to store and carry is issued after you have purchased a weapon and registered it in the territorial department of licensing and permitting (OLRR), which is part of the structure of the Russian Guard.

Permits are also divided into several types - belonging to one of them is indicated by an abbreviation before the document number:

• ROHA is the most popular type, giving the right to legally carry and store hunting weapons - both firearms and pneumatic ones. Therefore, if you are going to buy a rifle for hunting, then this is the type of permit you need.
• Loa is a single document in license format that gives the right to purchase, store and carry weapons intended for self-defense;
• RSOa - this document allows you to store, but not carry, a smooth-bore weapon with a long barrel intended for self-defense, in other words, this is your permission to have a fire guard at home without a rifle in the barrel;
• RKSa is a permit that allows you to store and carry a short-barreled firearm.

Here the situation is similar to licenses - permits are not interchangeable and are issued for a specific type of weapon. That is, having received the right to keep and carry a hunting rifle, you cannot carry a traumatic pistol without obtaining an additional document.

Getting a hunter's ticket in 2021

A hunting license is a uniform state document that confirms a citizen’s right to hunt throughout the country. You cannot get a gun license without a hunter's license. It is completed after submitting an application of the established form to the authorities authorized to solve problems in your region in the field of ecology and environmental management. You can submit an application through the State Services website or in person.

In addition to the application itself, you must provide:

• copy of passport;
• color or black and white photo 30×40 mm (1 pc.)

After registering with State Services and selecting a service, it may turn out that it is impossible to apply for a hunting license electronically in your city. Then you'll have to go yourself.

The authorities have 5 working days to make a decision on issuing or refusing to issue a hunter's ticket. The following facts may serve as grounds for a negative decision for the applicant:

• the applicant is a minor or incapacitated by a court;
• reporting false (erroneous) or incomplete data;
• lack of permanent registration;
• the application was submitted before the end of the deprivation, if the person was previously deprived of the right to hunt;
• outstanding/unexpunged conviction for a crime committed intentionally.

The 2021 hunting license is provided free of charge. Its action is not limited by time. To receive the completed document, you must personally appear at the appointed place and time and present your passport.

We buy a safe

The conditions for storing civilian weapons are regulated by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation “On measures to regulate the circulation of civilian and service weapons and ammunition on the territory of the Russian Federation” No. 814 of July 21, 1998 (as amended on May 17, 2017).

Ordinary citizens of the Russian Federation, that is, you and me, must store weapons and ammunition at their place of residence in compliance with conditions that ensure their safety, security of storage and exclude access to them by unauthorized persons, in locked safes, safe cabinets or metal cabinets for storing weapons, boxes made of high-strength materials or in wooden boxes lined with iron.

At the same time, local internal affairs bodies have the right to check the storage conditions of weapons registered by them.

Please note that there are no other requirements (bars on windows, alarms, a mandatory second lock, screwing the safe to the wall).

But there is GOST R 56367-2015 “Safes and metal cabinets for storing civilian weapons and ammunition. General technical conditions”. Adopted on January 25, 2021, effective from January 1, 2019

According to GOST, a gun safe weighing less than 100 kg must have anchor holes for fastening. The safe must have a bolt system installed that can lock the door in at least three directions. The safe must be equipped with a lockable compartment for storing cartridges.

Conclusions - take care of the safe to create conditions for safe storage and completely prevent unauthorized access to your weapon. If it's easy, screw it to the wall. You will be calmer.

We undergo training - we gain skills in safe handling of weapons

According to the Law “On Weapons”, Article 13, a Russian citizen purchasing a hunting smoothbore weapon for the first time is required to undergo training to learn the rules for safe handling of weapons and acquire the necessary skills.

Training is provided by certified training centers. Theory + passing the exam + practical shooting. Everything seems simple.

Cost ~ 4 – 5 thousand rubles.

What weapons can a civilian buy in Russia and what not?

In fact, the arsenal legally available to Russians is quite limited, both in terms of the types and number of weapons purchased. Here's what and how much a Russian can have:

• smoothbore – up to 5 units;
• sliced ​​– up to 5 units;
• gas – up to 5 units;
• traumatic – up to 2 units;
• cold hunting weapons - in unlimited quantities, if you have a hunting license and the appropriate permit for cold weapons;
• a hunting crossbow with a power of over 43 kgf, a bow with a power of over 27 kgf - in unlimited quantities, if you have a hunting license and the appropriate type of permit.

But what types of weapons are prohibited in civilian circulation in Russia:

• pistols, revolvers;
• automatic firearms;
• models whose drum holds more than 10 rounds (does not apply to a number of sporting weapons, but there are other subtleties with them);
• bladed weapons of the switch type, with automatic one-handed opening and having a blade more than 9 cm long;
• brass knuckles, boomerangs, shurikens and similar products (exception: sporting goods and products of cultural significance);
• any models of weapons that are not included in the approved cadastre.

A complete list of types of weapons that you cannot buy in Russia by default can be found in Art. 6 of the Law “On Weapons”.

Additional documents

All labor-intensive work can be considered completed. All that remains is to make photocopies of the documents. The provision of services states that the list of documents contains only a photocopy of the passport. It is necessary to make a copy of the first page and the page on which the registration is located.

But since each department sets a number of personal requirements, it is recommended to make photocopies of all available documents. It’s better to take the initiative here than to miss your turn later to collect the missing documents.

Don't forget to stop by the photo studio. The list of documents contains photographs. You must submit two photographs measuring 3 by 4 cm. They are made on matte paper. Photo format: black and white. There are certain requirements for photographs for documents, but if you go to a normal photo salon, the master will take care of these concerns.

General procedure for obtaining licenses and permits for weapons

The procedure for preparing the necessary documents is generally standardized and differs only in certain nuances. Therefore, first we will analyze the general order, and then we will dwell on the subtleties.

It is recommended to follow the following procedure:

1. We get a hunting license
2. We issue medical certificates, including a certificate of no criminal record
3. We buy a safe
4. We take weapons courses
5. We obtain a license to purchase from OLRR
6. We purchase the desired weapon
7. We register it in OLRR

Now let's look at each of the steps separately.

Arrangement of weapons storage area

For an individual, the main condition that must be observed when storing weapons is the presence of a metal safe. You can even make it yourself by upholstering a wooden box with iron. It is important that it has a locking mechanism. If you decide to buy a safe, then you should provide for the possibility of purchasing additional trunks, which means that the safe must be suitable in size for the required number of trunks.

A small nuance follows. The procedure for obtaining a permit, which is approved by law, implies that the permitting department employees themselves send a request to the district police officer to check the storage conditions of the safe, that is, the applicant does not have to take any action.

In practice, everyone prefers to complete this procedure as quickly as possible, so they take an inspection report form from the OLRR, go to the district police officer and invite him to inspect the premises.

In some cases, the district police officer gets by by looking at a photo of the safe taken on his phone. Next, he draws up an act, which is submitted to the department with the rest of the necessary documents.

We issue a hunting license

Please note: this document is not required to obtain a license, however, without it you will not be able to obtain permission to carry and transport your gun. Therefore, it is better to get it right away. In addition, if you have a hunting license, then 5 years after purchasing a smooth-bore weapon you will be able to obtain a license for a rifle. This document also gives the right to purchase hunting knives, crossbows, and bows.

The easiest way to obtain a hunter's license is through the MFC. We prepare the application either in advance according to the sample, or directly to the MFC. We attach scanned copies of the passport to it (2-3 pages and registration), 2 photos 3x4. A ticket is issued on average within 5 working days, after which you receive a notification that it is ready. We pick up the document at the same MFC.

You can also issue a hunting license through the port of State Services or OLRR.

Previously, to obtain a ticket it was also necessary to pass the hunting minimum, but now this requirement has been abolished. In addition, the document of the new sample is valid for an indefinite period, and you do not have to pay anything to receive it. Thus, even if you do not intend to become a professional hunter, obtaining a hunting license will still be useful.

Making a purchase of a hunting rifle

You have received a weapons license; if you buy a gun in a store, then upon purchase you will be asked for your passport and a license for a hunting weapon. The store clerk will fill out the license with your information and your gun's information, two-thirds of the license will remain in the store, and one-third will remain in your hands.

When purchasing a weapon from a private individual, you take your license for a hunting weapon, your passport, the old owner of the gun takes the gun itself and a permit for a hunting rifle, and together you go to the licensing department of the gun seller, where an employee of this department will fill out your license , a third of this license will remain in your hands, the remaining two thirds in the licensing and permitting department.

Collection of certificates

OLRR will not issue you a license without providing the necessary certificates. To spend the minimum time, proceed in the following order:

Obtain a certificate form from your clinic or other suitable medical center. Then we receive a conclusion from the psychiatric clinic at the place of registration - if there are no contraindications, the appropriate mark is placed. The next goal is a drug treatment clinic: we take a drug test, receive a conclusion on form No. 003-O/u and a note on the certificate.

Then we return to the original medical center and go through the ophthalmologist. After receiving his seal, we go to the therapist, who, in his absence, issues a conclusion in form No. 002-O/u.

Obtaining a medical certificate is paid, the cost depends on the specific region. Conclusions from a narcologist and a psychiatrist are paid separately. On average, the medical examination takes 2 days. The certificate will be valid for 5 years - this is an innovation for 2021, previously its validity period was 1 year.

A certificate of no criminal record can be obtained by submitting an application on the State Services portal, indicating the necessary data, or from the Ministry of Internal Affairs by filling out the form provided.

Expenses

As for the time and money spent. It is clear that the cheaper, the longer, or time is spent searching for cheaper places. But the averages will be as follows.

Time

Taking into account the fact that many actions, especially at the initial stage, were carried out simultaneously, the time costs will be as follows:

• hunting license – 5 days;
• medical certificates, commissions, courses – working week;
• obtaining a license – 30 days;
• obtaining ROH permission – 14 days.

A total of two months, if everything is done without delay, and you clearly know the next step. So, while waiting for a license, you can choose a gun, sort out the safe, while you are waiting for a hunting license, you can do inquiries, etc.

Money

In terms of money, costs, primarily depending on the region and speed, will be as follows:

• photo – from 200 to 300 rubles;
• hunting ticket – free;
• form 003-O/U, drug test - from 800 to 2000 rubles;
• certificate from a drug dispensary – 500 – 600 rubles;
• EEG + certificate from a psychoneurological clinic – 900 – 1500 rubles;
• certificate 002-О/У, medical examination – 500 – 1200 rubles;
• weapons courses - from 4,000 to 8,000 rubles;
• fee for issuing a license – 100 rubles;
• fee for the permission of the ROH - 10 rubles.

Total for everything from 7010 to 13710 rubles , plus a safe, plus a gun, plus a case, plus...

We buy a safe

In accordance with the current legislation, citizens are required to store weapons and ammunition in special weapons cabinets or safes with a reliable locking system installed at the place of registration of the owner.

There should be no problems with purchasing a safe. On sale you will find a lot of options of different brands, sizes and weights and a wide price range. Just make sure that your entire future arsenal, including ammunition, will fit in it. A supply of free space won’t hurt either - in the future, if you want to buy additional weapons, you won’t have any problems storing them.

For greater reliability, and also to ensure that inspectors do not have any complaints, install the safe in a non-accessible place, hidden from prying eyes, and securely fasten it to the wall.

We are undergoing training to obtain a weapons license

In 2013, the law established the obligation of all applicants for weapons licenses and permits to take appropriate courses. They are conducted by authorized training centers that have the appropriate license. To register for training, you must provide a medical certificate in form No. 002-О/у, 2 matte photographs 3x4, a passport with a photocopy.

At the end of the training, in order to obtain a license, you must successfully pass a weapons exam, which includes both a theoretical and a practical part. A representative of the OLRR must be present at the delivery. Upon successful completion of the training, you will receive a corresponding Certificate with a 5-year validity period.

Keep in mind that the weapons course is paid, and its cost reaches several thousand rubles. If you fail the exam, you will have to take the training again, which means you will have to pay again. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to find and study tickets for a weapons permit in advance.

Training and exams

When you submit your application, you will be required to provide two documents:

1. certificate indicating completion of courses;
2. certificate indicating successful completion of the exam.

In the process of collecting a package of documents, you need to select a training center that would provide training. Now this is not a problem, since such centers are opening in every city. Check with them for documents that allow them to conduct educational activities.

The Internet will help you prepare for the exam. On some sites you can take training remotely, but you won’t be able to save money. “Live” communication is recommended, because the classes also include practice in fire training.

The training process covers legal issues, safety precautions, rules for handling weapons, and fire training. The exam consists of two parts. In the first part you need to answer the questions on the ticket. Then you will have to do practical exercises. The entire training period and passing the exam will take 2-3 days.

Getting a license

When we have all the documents in hand, we submit an application for a license. This can be done either in person at the OLRR or through State Services. Regardless of which option you choose, it will take up to 30 days to produce the document - and rarely can you get it faster. The validity period of a license to purchase a weapon also does not depend on the method of obtaining it and is 6 months. During this period, you can purchase weapons products both in a store and from a private seller.

The difference between electronic and personal submission lies, first of all, in convenience. At OLRR you can spend quite a long time in queues, but through your personal account on State Services you can do everything as comfortably as possible. The only thing is to carefully check all the data you enter on the portal. Any typo will result in your application being rejected and you will have to resubmit and wait 30 days again.

And how much a weapons license costs depends on the application option you choose. If you visit the OLRR in person, you will have to pay 2,000 rubles. When paying the fee through State Services, there is a 30% discount - i.e. you will pay only 1400 rubles.

After your application for a license is accepted by the department, you will definitely be visited by a local police officer. His task is to make sure that you have provided the necessary conditions for storing weapons and ammunition (in other words, you have installed a safe). The district police officer must also confirm that you have no prior police reports or other disciplinary contraindications. If no violations are detected, he issues the appropriate Act. If the local police officer is in no hurry to visit you, then you can contact him yourself.

In any case, you will have to go to the licenses and permits department to obtain a ready-made license. Don't forget to take the original documents with you.

Primary requirements

Obtaining a license and permit for a hunting weapon is possible only if the applicant fully meets the following requirements:

• reaching the age of majority (18 years);
• availability of permanent registration;
• availability of a medical certificate + from a psychiatrist and narcologist;
• no criminal record;
• have no administrative offenses over the past year;
• provide conditions for storing weapons (place of residence and safe).

Registering purchased weapons

After you have purchased a weapon, it must be registered in accordance with the established procedure. Moreover, only 14 days are allotted for this. You can again submit your application either in person at the licensing department or through State Services.

However, in any case you will have to visit OLRR. Here you must provide the purchased weapon and the license receipt issued by the seller. Employees of the Russian Guard compare weapon numbers, check information about the license to purchase weapons - and, if everything is in order, instead issue a permit not to transport weapons home.

After 14 days, you need to come to the licensing and permitting department again, this time for permission. After receiving it, you become the full owner of your weapon.

Renewal of weapons permit

The permit is issued for a period of 5 years - after that it must be changed. And here is what you will face in 2021 for an expired weapons permit:

• a fine of 1-1.5 thousand rubles if the delay ranged from 1 day to several weeks (usually no more than 1 month);
• a fine of 3 thousand for delays of longer duration.

In addition, until you provide all the necessary documents and receive a new permit, the weapon may be confiscated from you.

In some cases, there may be no penalty for delay. In particular, in 2021, by order of April 17, the Russian National Guard postponed the deadline for extending permits that expired from April 6 to August 1 to the beginning of September. With this measure, the department supported those who, due to anti-Covid restrictions, could not renew their permit during the specified period.

To avoid getting a fine and problems with the Law, you need to update your permit in a timely manner. Moreover, this must be done not only when the document expires, but also in a number of other cases - and depending on the situation, you must meet a certain time frame:

• You must submit an application to renew your weapons permit at least 1 month before the expiration date of the old document;
• if you have changed your personal data, for example, full name or registration address, then you must contact the OLRR within 7 days;
• if the permit is lost, then you need to apply for a new one within the same 7 days;
• If a document is damaged or damaged, request a replacement immediately.

Our step-by-step instructions for renewing your weapons license in 2021 will help you avoid mistakes and not waste extra time.

Who will not have their permit renewed?

You will not be able to obtain a new permit if:

• were registered with a psychiatric or drug treatment clinic;
• were accused of drug trafficking or a crime involving the use of firearms;
• convicted under a criminal article (it absolutely does not matter which one);
• made changes to the design of their weapons - they installed a barrel for more powerful ammunition, increased the magazine capacity, etc.;
• lost their permanent registration.

Preparing documents

The set of documents and procedures here is the same as when initially obtaining permission:

• application in the prescribed form;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• medical certificate for a weapons permit in form No. 002-О/у;
• photocopy of passport (page with personal data and page with registration address);
• photocopy of the current license;
• if you own a smooth-bore or rifled weapon - a certificate of verification of storage conditions, signed by the district police officer;
• payment receipt - the fee for renewing a weapons permit in 2021 is 500 rubles when paying through a bank and 350 rubles when paying through State Services;
• to renew the registration certificate - a hunting license;
• for rifled weapons - a photocopy of the technical passport pages containing identification information.

If you are hunting professionally, you will need an order from the head of the hunting farm or hunting organization.

As for re-training, you do not have to undergo it if you meet the deadlines allotted for re-registration. In this case, the old exam is read back to you. If you miss the extension, you will have to take the courses – and, therefore, pay for them – again.

You will also have to re-submit your weapon for inspection to the OLRR.

Submit application and documents

There are 2 options available here - personally contacting the OLRR or submitting an application to renew your weapons permit through State Services. The second option is more convenient for many reasons - at least, you don’t need to go anywhere. The general procedure in this case is as follows:

1. Log in to the portal using your account (it must be confirmed).
2. We find it through a search or catalogue.
3. We fill in all the fields - the convenience of State Services is that most of the personal data is filled in automatically, and this significantly reduces the likelihood of errors and generally simplifies the process.
4. We select the appropriate OLRR for us at the place of registration and sign up for a convenient date and time to inspect the weapon and receive the corresponding certificate.
5. We attach scanned copies of all documents, including a certificate for renewing a weapons license, a Certificate of verification of storage conditions and all others.
6. We send the application for consideration.

If everything is done correctly, a new permit will be prepared for you within 30 days. You will be notified of readiness by SMS, email and/or through a personal account on the State Services website. To receive the document, make an appointment with the OLRR through the same State Services or by phone.

Who can purchase a traumatic weapon?

Citizens of the Russian Federation who have reached the age of 18 have the right to purchase traumatic weapons. From January 1, 2022, the rules for obtaining LLCP will change and citizens of the Russian Federation who have reached the age of 21, citizens of the Russian Federation who have not reached the age of 21, who have completed or are undergoing military service, as well as citizens serving in state paramilitary organizations and having military ranks or special ranks or class ranks of justice. Citizens of the Russian Federation will be
denied the purchase of trauma equipment :

• have not reached the age established by this Federal Law;
• who have not submitted a medical report on the absence of medical contraindications to the possession of weapons and a medical report on the absence of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their metabolites in the human body;
• having an unexpunged or unexpunged conviction for a crime committed intentionally, or having an expunged or expunged conviction for a grave or especially grave crime committed with the use of a weapon;
• serving a sentence for a crime;
• repeatedly brought to administrative responsibility within a year for committing an administrative offense encroaching on public order and public safety or the established management procedure, an administrative offense related to violation of hunting rules, or an administrative offense in the field of trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or precursors , plants containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or their precursors or their parts containing narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances or their precursors, with the exception of administrative offenses related to the consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a doctor’s prescription or new potentially dangerous psychoactive substances - before the end of the period during which the person is considered subject to administrative punishment;
• without permanent residence;
• who has not submitted to the federal executive body authorized in the field of arms trafficking, or its territorial body, documents on completion of appropriate training and other documents specified in this Federal Law;
• deprived by a court decision of the right to purchase weapons;
• registered with health care institutions for mental illness, alcoholism or drug addiction;
• subjected to administrative punishment for the consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances without a doctor’s prescription or new potentially dangerous psychoactive substances - until the end of the period during which the person is considered subject to administrative punishment.