The General Directorate of the Kurdistan Regional Police has reaffirmed its commitment to the ongoing campaign to confiscate unlicensed weapons across the region. Colonel Karzan Amir Ghafoor, Director of Media and Relations, emphasized that individuals found with unlicensed weapons would face legal action.

In a statement to Kurdistan24, Colonel Ghafoor explained, "Following the directive from Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in 2022, the Kurdistan Regional Police initiated a campaign to confiscate unlicensed weapons and shut down illegal arms markets. We extended the initial registration period by 60 days to allow citizens to register their weapons legally and obtain official licenses."

Upon the expiration of the registration deadline, security forces and police units established joint patrols to arrest individuals in possession of unlicensed weapons and bring them to justice. To date, over 17,000 weapons have been registered with the Ministry of Interior. Colonel Ghafoor noted that another opportunity has been given to those who missed the initial deadline to register their weapons at designated police centers throughout the Kurdistan Region.

The ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government has prioritized controlling unauthorized weapons to curb armed violence and enhance public safety. The Ministry of Interior had set July 21, 2023, as the final deadline for surrendering unlicensed weapons. Citizens who fail to comply face strict penalties under Article 15 of the Weapons Law No. 2 of 2022, which stipulates imprisonment ranging from one to three years and fines between two million and five million dinars for unauthorized possession, sale, repair, or confiscation of firearms.

The Ministry of Interior has urged citizens to visit the 42 designated registration centers to avoid severe legal consequences. The intensified efforts, directed by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani since last summer, have significantly reduced the rate of criminal killings across the region.