In a major legal change, the national assembly has passed strict new rules about who can get a gun license. The law will now stop people convicted of domestic violence or gender-based crimes from getting a license for many years. This is a big change in how the country balances gun rights with the need to keep people safe.
The new law was written after a request from the National Police Commissioner. It introduces a ten-year ban on getting a gun license. This ban starts from two dates: the day of the person's conviction and the day they are released from prison. This double rule means the ban can last much longer than before. The list of crimes that lead to a ban has also been expanded. It now includes violence against women, domestic abuse, and crimes related to making or selling drugs.
Experts say the law is a response to clear evidence. Studies show that when abusers have access to guns, domestic violence is more likely to become deadly. "This change fixes an important weakness in our system," said Dr. Elena Rostova, a professor of law. "By keeping guns away from convicted abusers, we are using proven methods to save lives."
During the debate, lawmakers removed some flexible parts of the law. They decided that the Justice Minister should not have the power to shorten the ban period. They also removed rules that would have allowed some people to apply for a license early. A group that studies gender issues praised these decisions, saying they make the law stronger and safer.
Police groups support the new rules, saying they give clearer instructions and help prevent violence. However, some civil rights groups are worried. They argue that people who have been rehabilitated should be judged individually after a long time.
The law will start in ninety days. It creates one national system, replacing different local rules. The government is also creating a new computer system to track criminals and gun licenses together. This is one of the biggest changes to gun laws in years, showing a strong focus on preventing domestic violence.