Photo: EPA
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the renewed debate over legalizing firearms for civilians following the April 18 shooting in Kyiv, where a gunman killed seven people. He stressed that any decisions on this sensitive issue must be made strictly at the legislative level.
According to Zelenskyy, both the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine are expected to begin working on the matter, particularly involving the Interior Ministry and the relevant parliamentary committee. The president said he is ready to cooperate on developing a balanced approach.
“This is a very sensitive issue with many perspectives,” Zelenskyy noted. “I agree with society and experts that a decision must eventually be made, even though it carries significant responsibility. Any changes should be implemented exclusively through legislation.”
Opinions remain divided among both officials and the public. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko supports the right to self-defense and firearm ownership but emphasizes the need for a comprehensive regulatory framework, including legal classification of weapons, mandatory training, and clearly defined rules for self-defense.
Meanwhile, Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov opposes legalization, warning it could create additional risks. “Distributing weapons among civilians has never worked,” he said.
