The massacre in Vorizia led both the Greek Police and the State to take immediate measures. Under this prism, the Ministry of Citizen Protection decided to proceed with modernizing weapon legislation. Consequently, through an amendment tabled to the road safety bill being discussed in Parliament’s plenary session, significant changes are coming to legislation on weapons, explosives, and prevention of dangerous incidents between individuals.
As stated in the amendment, issues concerning illegal possession of hunting weapons, transportation of weapons and explosives, purposeless shootings, weapon use and possession are regulated, with relevant provisions being modified toward stricter enforcement.
According to the explanatory report, illegal use of weapons, particularly firearms, “seriously undermines public order and security and intensifies phenomena of armed violence and organized crime.” As emphasized, the tightening of penalties aims “to deter such dangerous behaviors, limit the circulation of weapons to unauthorized individuals and enhance the effectiveness of the legal order.”
Chrysochoidis amendment: Stricter penalties – Detailed provisions
a) penalties are tightened (imprisonment and monetary fines) for violations of weapon law provisions regarding possession of hunting weapons, transportation and use of weapons, transportation and use of explosives and explosive devices, weapon use, as well as for offenses related to livestock theft, fish theft, animal killing, and fish killing.
b) the following are criminalized: failure to immediately report to the competent Prosecutor by owners or managers of establishments of health interest or event organizers regarding purposeless shootings and purposeless use of explosive devices and materials
– inciting or provoking others to illegally acquire or use firearms or advertising their illegal use or providing information for their illegal procurement, with stricter monetary penalties if the act targets minors,
– illegal introduction or possession of weapons in police services, court buildings, social or religious events, or public transportation etc.
c) it is stipulated that anyone who illegally possesses weapons and voluntarily surrenders them to competent Police Authorities within the specified deadline from the effective date of the proposed regulations remains unpunished for weapon possession, and the weapons are returned under specified conditions.
Read the complete amendment here
