Latvia Bans Weapons Ownership for Russian and Belarusian Passport Holders

Latvia's parliament has passed amendments to the law definitively banning the issuance of weapons permits to persons holding dual citizenship — Latvian with Russian or Belarusian. The new restrictions target individuals who hold citizenship of countries considered hostile to Latvia's security interests. The legislation reflects Latvia's ongoing security concerns given its proximity to Russia and the conflict in Ukraine. Latvian officials have increasingly moved to restrict the rights and activities of Russian and Belarusian citizens residing in the country, citing national security grounds. Latvia, a NATO member sharing a border with Russia, has been among the most vocal European supporters of Ukraine and has implemented some of the strictest measures in the EU toward Russian citizens since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.