In Latvia, it will be prohibited to store weapons and ammunition together. What if there is a war?

Until now, weapons for self-defense were allowed to be stored with a loaded magazine, while the requirement for separate storage of ammunition applied to hunting and sporting long-barreled firearms. The new rules also provide for additional safety measures for owners of high-risk firearms and large quantities of weapons. In particular, owners of category A firearms, as well as owners of sporting weapons wishing to acquire more than ten units of firearms and powerful air guns, will have to equip their storage places with alarm systems capable of detecting intrusions and transmitting alarm signals. The Ministry of Internal Affairs explains that a locked safe or metal cabinet is not sufficient for timely detection of attempts at burglary. An alarm system will allow owners to respond more quickly to security threats. The rules for transporting firearms will also change. They must still be unloaded and in a case, gun bag, or special packaging. At the same time, ammunition will need to be transported separately or placed in a special compartment of the gun case. The amendments are intended to align Latvian legislation with the European Union directive on the control of the acquisition and storage of firearms. To allow owners to prepare for the new requirements, a transition period until January 2027 has been provided.