In an effort to tackle the prevalent issue of unlicensed firearms in the Kurdistan Region, the interior ministry of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced the opening of 48 centers for firearm registration. The registration process will continue until July 21, and citizens have been strongly urged to avoid purchasing unlicensed weapons.

The Kurdistan Region has long struggled with a thriving black market for firearms, with sniper rifles and machine guns readily available. Surprisingly, around 70 percent of the population owns firearms, highlighting the extent of the issue. In light of this, the KRG is taking measures to regulate and control the possession of weapons.

The KRG interior ministry has called upon citizens to promptly visit the designated registration centers, which have been established free of charge. The ministry emphasized the importance of registering firearms, and once registered, owners will receive a registration form. If necessary, individuals can also apply for a weapons license or participate in future buying and selling communities, which will be supervised by the interior ministry.

Last year, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani ordered the closure of firearms selling markets and the confiscation of unlicensed weapons following the tragic killing of two university academics by a former student. This incident raised serious concerns about the unrestricted availability of firearms in the region.

In December, the interior ministry had previously urged citizens to register their firearms in an attempt to address the growing problem of gun violence. However, recent events, such as the tragic shooting of a 20-year-old woman and her sister by the woman's husband, who was an arms dealer, highlight the urgency to further regulate firearms.

According to Article 6 of the 1993 weapons ownership law, individuals who are over 18, permanent residents of the Kurdistan Region, and possess no criminal record or mental illness are eligible to carry a weapon.

By implementing stricter firearm regulations and encouraging responsible ownership, the KRG aims to reduce the circulation of unlicensed firearms and enhance public safety within the Kurdistan Region.