Firearm Legalization Divides Top Ukrainian Officials: Budanov Opposes, Klymenko Defends Self-Defense Rights

Kyrylo Budanov’s Remarks at the Kyiv Security Forum

According to Главком: Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has come out against widespread civilian gun legalization. He made these comments during his appearance at the Kyiv Security Forum, which was held in partnership with the media outlet 'Glavkom'. Budanov stressed that such a move carries both benefits and serious drawbacks.

'There are always two sides to this. On one hand, it gives an illusion of protection. On the other, incidents like the one we all saw a few days ago could multiply dramatically. If everyone has a gun, the risks become far greater than what we face now.' - Kyrylo Budanov

The debate over gun legalization reignited following a terrorist attack in Kyiv on April 18. In response, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko argued that citizens should be granted the right to armed self-defense. He noted, 'I believe people should have the right to armed self-defense, especially given the experience at the start of the full-scale invasion, when civilians were issued weapons for national resistance.'

Current Status of Gun Legalization in Ukraine

As of April 2026, Ukraine officially registers over one million firearms and special devices. Notably, no crimes have been recorded involving weapons distributed to civilians at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. At present, civilian ownership of traumatic and short-barreled firearms remains restricted, with only certain categories of citizens eligible to possess them.

This ongoing issue continues to spark discussion among government officials and the broader public.

Budanov’s statements highlight the complexity of gun legalization in an environment marked by heightened security threats. Meanwhile, the interior minister’s position reflects a push to uphold citizens’ self-defense rights. This underscores society’s ongoing effort to strike a balance between security and individual freedoms-a debate that will undoubtedly shape future legislative changes.

The ongoing debate surrounding civilian firearm ownership in Ukraine is further complicated by recent proposals from the Interior Ministry. As discussions intensify over the balance between public safety and self-defense rights, understanding the implications of new legislative initiatives becomes crucial for citizens and policymakers alike.