Police Operate Voluntary Reporting Period for Illegal Weapons

The National Police Agency will operate the ‘2025 1st Voluntary Surrender Period for Illegal Weapons’ next month in cooperation with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Yonhap News

The voluntary surrender targets include all illegal weapons such as firearms, explosives, blades, spray devices, electronic shock devices, and crossbows that are possessed without permission or whose possession permits have been revoked.

Voluntary surrender will, in principle, exempt individuals from criminal punishment and administrative sanctions. If the individual wishes to possess the surrendered weapons, they may undergo a verification process to check for disqualifications stipulated in the Firearms and Explosives Control Act and may receive possession permission accordingly.

Reports can be made by the individual or a proxy by directly visiting the nearest police station, precinct, police box, or military unit operating a reporting office to submit the illegal weapons. If a proxy submits the weapons, they must explain their relationship with the possessor and the reason for proxy submission at the reporting office.

If it is difficult to submit illegal weapons within the reporting period due to unavoidable circumstances, contact can be made with the competent police office to discuss submission methods.

If illegal weapons are manufactured, sold, or possessed after the voluntary surrender period ends and are detected, the offender will be subject to imprisonment for 3 to 15 years or a fine ranging from 30 million to 100 million KRW under the Firearms and Explosives Control Act. If illegal weapon possession is discovered and reported, and the possessor is apprehended, a reward of up to 5 million KRW may be given.

A police official stated, “Through the operation of the voluntary surrender of illegal weapons, we will swiftly collect illegal weapons that cause social instability, crack down on illegal weapon possession, and continuously strive to prevent weapon-related incidents and accidents and ensure public safety.”