Purchasing weapons in Kazakhstan: Ministry of Internal Affairs changes the rules

Tengrinews.kz – The Ministry of Internal Affairs has amended the regulations on the circulation of civilian and service weapons. According to the new order, some types of weapons can now be purchased without a permit—under certain conditions.

The amendments were made to the 2019 rules governing the circulation of civilian and service weapons and ammunition. The main changes affect the requirements for purchasing pneumatic, signal, and deactivated weapons, as well as the list of documents buyers must present.

What’s changed

Buying weapons without a permit

Pneumatic weapons with muzzle energy up to 7.5 J and a caliber of up to 4.5 mm, as well as signal weapons, can now be purchased without a special permit, but with the submission of several certificates:

• A certificate of no criminal record;
• Certificates from mental health centers (psychiatric and drug dependency);
• A certificate of completion of a weapon safety training program.

Who can buy without certificates

Military personnel (excluding reservists), employees of special agencies and law enforcement (except the fire service) are allowed to purchase such weapons without the above certificates, provided they have supporting documents.

Sale of pepper spray and gas canisters

Devices containing tear or irritating substances (mechanical sprayers, aerosol canisters, etc.) may be sold without a permit, but buyers must undergo a safety briefing and sign a register.

Deactivated weapons

Available only to:

• Individuals with a license for collecting;
• Legal entities specified in the Law “On State Control Over the Circulation of Certain Types of Weapons.”

No medical certificate required

Military personnel and employees with special ranks can obtain permits for acquiring civilian weapons without submitting a medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications.

Changes in public service procedures

At the same time, amendments were made to the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ order dated March 27, 2020, which regulates the provision of public services in the field of weapons and pyrotechnics circulation.

All services are now available electronically (partially automated).

The changes affect:

• Issuance of licenses (for trade, manufacturing, collecting weapons and pyrotechnics);
• Permissions for shooting ranges, for acquisition, storage, carrying, and transportation of weapons;
• Permits for import/export of weapons;
• All types of permits related to civilian pyrotechnic substances.

The list of documents required from citizens when applying for services has been updated:

• Applications are submitted electronically via the "e-Government" portal;
• Some data (such as state duty payment, ID information, licenses, previous ownership of weapons, etc.) is automatically pulled from government databases;
• Military personnel and individuals with special ranks are exempt from providing medical certificates.

For athletes, hunters, tourists, and foreigners, specific requirements and types of supporting documents are defined — including electronic copies of IDs, certificates from sports federations, or notes from diplomatic missions.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs order dated September 22, 2020, which establishes the list of permitting requirements and documents, has also been amended:

• Confirmation of the absence of medical contraindications for weapon ownership must now be issued using the new Form No. 076/u, approved by the Ministry of Healthcare.
• Military personnel and law enforcement officers are exempt from providing this certificate if they submit an official service document instead.
• Legal entities engaged in the sale of firearms must provide an internal firearm access authorization signed by their head.

The order will come into force 60 calendar days after its first official publication — on August 1, 2025.