“Second Amendment” to the Constitution of Ukraine
17 March 2015
Dear community.
For a week in a row we have been hearing loud statements of MPs from all factions regarding the upcoming amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine. Let us, Ukrainian gun owners, as a responsible and patriotic part of our society, express our opinion on this issue. It will be about our, Ukrainian “Second Amendment” to the Constitution of Ukraine.
And now a little history.
Back in late February 2014, the Ukrainian Association of Gun Owners proposed to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to adopt amendments to the Constitution, which were as follows:
1) to supplement Article 17 with parts two and three as follows:
“In order to ensure the protection of sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order in Ukraine, a general military duty is established, which includes military training for all capable citizens of Ukraine regardless of gender, political, religious and other beliefs.
The procedure and scope of military training shall be regulated by the relevant law, which may provide for separate requirements for law enforcement officers, judges and civil servants, as well as candidates for employment in public authorities.”
2) to supplement Article 22 with part four as follows:
“The narrowing of the scope of existing constitutional rights and freedoms, or their full or partial prohibition, except in cases of a state of emergency or declaration of a state of war, is a usurpation of power. Everyone has the right to defend their constitutional rights and freedoms in case of usurpation of power, encroachment on the constitutional order, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”;
3) to supplement Article 27 with part four as follows:
“Every citizen of Ukraine has the right to free possession of firearms to protect his/her life and health, home and property, life and health of other people, constitutional rights and freedoms in case of usurpation of power, encroachment on the constitutional order, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The exercise of the right to free possession of firearms is regulated by the relevant law and may be restricted only by a court decision in respect of an individual.”
Moreover, on April 30, 2014, the People’s Deputy of Ukraine of the seventh convocation Yuriy Syrotyuk voiced this proposal, speaking in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. But we were not heard…
Is it worth reminding today that during the past year the territorial integrity of Ukraine was violated, tens of thousands of our compatriots were killed, tens of thousands were mobilized, and tens of thousands of Ukrainians independently and at their own expense study military affairs and volunteer to defend their country?
The question is rhetorical, because life is not a movie and it is impossible to rewind the film.
Instead, another question arises – have we learned the lessons and are we able to draw conclusions? How will we counteract the aggressor in the future?
Is it worth explaining that our problems have just begun and many more terrible trials await us?
We also see no point in explaining the obvious – we will have to defend our own country, its territorial integrity and constitutional order on our own, that is, by ourselves, that is, by the entire Ukrainian people.
We reasonably believe and professionally assert that the adoption of our proposed amendments to the Constitution in conjunction with the registered but still pending Draft Law “On Civilian Weapons and Ammunition” (№1135-1) will lay a solid foundation on which we can build the Doctrine of Internal and External Security of Ukraine.
That is why we once again appeal to the deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to consider our proposed amendments to the Constitution and the Draft Law “On Civilian Weapons and Ammunition” (№1135-1).
Regards,
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of UAWZ
Georgy Uchaykin.
