Citation(s) from the GunPolicy.org literature library
Syria. 2010 ‘Penalties.’ National Report of the Syrian Arab Republic on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA), pp. 4-5. New York, NY: Permanent Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations. 1 January
Relevant contents
Penalties
Decree No. 51, article 40, provides for a prison term of between 5 and 15 years and a fine of 3 to 10 times the value of the seized weapons and ammunition for the following:
1. Smuggling or attempted smuggling of weapons or ammunition for the purpose of trafficking;
2. Possession of weapons or ammunition in the knowledge that they were smuggled for the purpose of trafficking. The penalty shall be the same for an accomplice or accessory as for the primary perpetrator.
Decree No. 51, article 41, provides for the following:
(a) Anyone possessing or carrying a military weapon or ammunition for which a permit may not be obtained under the provisions of this Legislative Decree shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of between three and six years and a fine of between 10,000 and 50,000 Syrian pounds.
(b) Anyone carrying or possessing a military revolver or ammunition without a permit shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of between two and five years and a fine of between 5,000 and 25,000 Syrian pounds.
It should be clear from the foregoing that the penalties for violators of the weapons law in force are severe and constitute an effective deterrent against unlicensed possession, smuggling or trafficking of weapons.
We also note that permits for the possession or repair of weapons are only issued after a thorough investigation by the competent security agencies, taking into account a person's general behaviour, health and social situation, profession and need for the permit, in addition to the above-mentioned legal provisions.