Uzbekistan introduces cash rewards for voluntary surrender of weapons

The procedure for the voluntary surrender of firearms, ammunition, and explosives has been updated, and financial rewards ranging from 5% to 500% of the Base Calculation Unit (BCU) will be provided, depending on the type of weapon handed in.

According to a Cabinet of Ministers resolution, amendments and additions have been made to the Regulations on the Voluntary Surrender of Unregistered Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Explosive Devices to Law Enforcement Authorities, as well as the procedure for rewarding individuals for surrendering such items.

Procedure for Voluntary Surrender

Under the revised regulations, the process is as follows:

An individual contacts a law enforcement agency or a prevention inspector, either verbally or in writing, and hands over their weapon and/or ammunition.
The law enforcement agency accepts the weapon the same day and issues a receipt for record-keeping.
Responsible units of the law enforcement agency conduct necessary inspections, including preliminary investigation, ballistic examination, and database verification.
A special commission reviews the case and determines the reward to be paid to the individual.

Reward System for Surrendering Weapons

The financial reward varies depending on the type of weapon or ammunition:

Rifled firearms and combined firearms (rifled + smoothbore) – 5 BCU
Smoothbore firearms – 4 BCU
Caseless firearms (weapons where the cartridge case serves as the barrel) – 3 BCU
Air guns (pneumatic weapons) – 1 BCU
Bladed cold weapons (such as rapiers, swords, and sabers) – 50% BCU
Electroshock devices, spark discharge weapons, and other electrical weapons – 30% BCU
Signal weapons – 25% BCU
Gas weapons (such as gas canisters, mechanical sprayers, aerosol devices containing tear gas or irritants) – 15% BCU
Ammunition (per cartridge) – 5% BCU
Gun components (barrels, bolts, magazines, cylinders, frames, or receivers) – 75% BCU