Lithuania proposes new firearm regulations for police

The Lithuanian Ministry of the Interior is proposing systemic changes to the regulations regarding the use of force and firearms by officers. The proposal aims to establish clearer conditions for firearm use and reintroduce the practice of warning shots, a right that was removed from Lithuanian law in 2016.

Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas stated that the changes are intended to provide officers with clearer guidance during critical situations where decisions must be made in seconds. The proposal seeks to replace subjective legal terms such as ‘unavoidable danger’ and ‘unavoidable necessity’ with more concrete danger criteria. This shift is intended to prevent officers from facing long-term legal uncertainty regarding whether their split-second actions were lawful.

The Ministry emphasizes that firearms will remain a measure of last resort. The reintroduction of warning shots is viewed as a preventive tool to signal potential use of force and avoid greater harm. Additionally, the reforms aim to strengthen the legal and social protection of officers while enshrining the principle of minimizing damage during interventions.