Moldovans will have to pass through more complicated procedures in order to obtain a gun permit. A draft law submitted by the Ministry of the Interior was voted in first reading by the Parliament today, May 11, Info-Prim Neo reports. Deputy Minister of the Interior Iurie Cheptanaru said that the initiative concerned the raising of the age bar from 18 to 21 years. Other conditions include the lack of criminal record, medical and psychological examination and attending specific courses. In Moldova, only Moldovan citizens will have the right to own lethal weapons. Exceptions are made for attendants of foreign delegations with heads of state or government and other protected foreign officials. People who committed serious and very serious crimes won’t have the right to own a gun. Currently, this right can be renewed every 5 years. Applicants for a gun license will have to indicate the goal of the purchase: hunting, shooting, security, collection or self-defense. If previously Moldovans could own as many guns as they liked, now the number will be restricted to five, except for collectors. According to official data, there are 55,000 registered gun owners in Moldova. Yearly, about 1,000 illegally owned guns are confiscated.