5. Firearms

In coordination with the State Police and with a permission from the MFA, the legislation of the Republic of Latvia allows for the Security personnel accompanying high-level officials of foreign states or international organizations to carry B category semi-automatic repeat action or single shot, short-barrelled firearms in the Republic of Latvia while performing their duties.

During visits of high-level officials of foreign states or international organisations, the MFA may permit foreign security personnel to import into the Republic of Latvia and carry automatic firearms and ammunition. The MFA shall advise the diplomatic mission of the state concerned or the relevant international organisation of the need for the firearms permit.

Personnel of foreign armed forces may carry and use firearms during their stay in the Republic of Latvia for the performance of their duties only.

The MFA shall issue a verbal note conveying a permission to import and export a weapon and its ammunition after receiving a conclusion (an evaluation) from the State Police on the conformity of an imported weapon with a B category semi-automatic repeat action or single shot short-barrelled firearm.

The State Protocol of the MFA shall submit the request for evaluation to the State Police no later than one working day prior to the anticipated import of the firearm or pneumatic stun gun and its ammunition into the Republic of Latvia.

In order to receive a permit to import and carry arms, the diplomatic mission of the relevant state or representation of an international organisation shall submit to the State Protocol of the MFA a verbal note containing the following information:

• Name and surname of the employee of the security service
• Passport number
• Dates of import and export of the relevant firearm
• State/states from where and to which the firearm is imported and exported
• Type of transport used to enter and leave the Republic of Latvia
• Type of firearm, calibre, registration number, number of cartridges

The procedures of issuing the permits are currently regulated by the Law on the Circulation of Weapons (adopted on 14 March 2019, entered into force on 10 April 2019) and the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No 211 on Weapon Permits and on Weapon Removal and Destruction (adopted 21 May 2019, entered into force on 15 June 2019) hereinafter referred to as Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No 211.

Section 8 of Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No 211 “Issuing of weapon permits to foreign diplomatic and consular missions accredited in Latvia and their employees” sets the procedures for foreign diplomatic and consular mission accredited in Latvia to receive a permit for the possession of a weapon, as well as specify the procedures by which an employee or representative of a foreign diplomatic and consular mission accredited in Latvia may receive a permit to carry a weapon in order to fulfil the duties.

In accordance with Paragraph 181.3 of the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No 211, in order to receive a permit for the possession of a weapon, the foreign diplomatic and consular mission accredited in Latvia shall submit a relevant application to the State Police in accordance with the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No 211 (Annex 22 to the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No 211).

Consequently, in accordance with Paragraph 190 of the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No 211, in order to receive a permit for the carrying of a service weapon, an employee or representative of a foreign diplomatic and consular mission accredited in Latvia shall submit an application to the State Police Unit, which has issued a permit for the possession of a weapon to the foreign diplomatic and consular mission accredited in Latvia (Annex 24 of the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No 211).

Foreigners have the right to hunt in the Republic of Latvia after receiving a Hunting Permit of the Republic of Latvia. In compliance with the Law on Hunting, persons residing abroad can obtain a Hunting License without passing a test in Latvia, if they have a valid Hunting License issued in their country of residence. This regulation has also been extended to diplomats and to members of the administrative and technical staff of diplomatic missions, provided they are not citizens or permanent residents of Latvia. Hunting Licenses of the Republic of Latvia are issued by the State Forestry Service Central Office.

To receive the Hunting License, the following documentation must be provided:

• copy of passport
• copy of hunting licence issued by country of residence
• copy of registration certificate for firearm

The Hunting license fee:

• 1 -day Hunting license – 14,23 EUR
• 10-day Hunting license – 35,57 EUR
• Seasonal Hunting license (April 1 until March 31 the following year) - 99,60 EUR

The carrying of a rifle for hunting purposes is permitted only after a certificate has been issued allowing the concerned person to possess such a weapon. Applications for hunting rifles must specify the category, make, serial number and caliber of the firearm.

Legislation:

Law on the Circulation of Weapons (10 April 2019)

Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 421, “Hunting Regulations” (01 August 2014)

Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No 82, “Regulations regarding state fees on forestry and hunting activities (14 February 2014)