First reading of the Draft Resolution (331 OE) of the Riigikogu titled: "Making a Proposal to the Government of the Republic to Obligate All Reservists to Permanently Keep Firearms at Home Along with a Considerable Quantity of Ammunition, and to Provide Reservists with Financial Assistance for This Purpose If Necessary"
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, third session, plenary sitting.
Date: 2024-06-04 00:36
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 6
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 19m
AI Summaries: 6/6 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The item on the agenda was Draft Resolution 331 of the Riigikogu, submitted by the parliamentary group of the Estonian Conservative People's Party, which proposed that the Government of the Republic be mandated to oblige all reservists to permanently keep firearms at home along with a considerable quantity of ammunition. The rapporteur, Leo Kunnas, explained that although the wording of the draft resolution referred to all reservists, the actual goal was to create a system for reservists assigned to wartime positions, citing the precedents of the Defence League (Kaitseliit), Israel, and Switzerland. Kunnas conceded that implementing the system would require extensive preparatory work, including more thorough background checks (mental health, criminal background, loyalty) and changes to the legal framework. Enn Eesmaa, presenting the report on behalf of the National Defence Committee, confirmed that, according to the assessments of both the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of the Interior, the implementation of the draft resolution would necessitate extensive amendments to current legislation, particularly the military service and firearms acts. The Committee also drew attention to the imprecision of the term "reservist." Following the discussion, during which no debate was opened, the final vote on the draft resolution was held. Draft Resolution 331 was rejected, garnering only 13 votes in favor.
Decisions Made 1
The draft resolution 331 of the Riigikogu, presented by the faction of the Estonian Conservative People's Party, was rejected in the final vote (13 votes in favor).
Most Active Speaker
Leo Kunnas (EKRE faction) served as the main rapporteur for the bill, thoroughly explaining the background of the proposal, the necessary preconditions, and the legal and security aspects associated with its implementation. His stance represented the right-wing (right) political direction.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Draft bill 331, submitted by the EKRE faction, seeks that the Government of the Republic would oblige all reservists to keep firearms at home along with a considerable amount of ammunition, and, if necessary, would provide them with financial assistance, and this draft bill is being introduced by Riigikogu member Leo Kunnas.
Leo Kunnas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Leo Kunnas submitted a bill whose objective is to gradually and on a limited scale permit reservists in specific wartime roles to store personal equipment and weapons at home, thereby accelerating the mobilization system. This initiative draws upon the existing precedent established by the Kaitseliit (Defense League). Furthermore, the bill requires extensive cooperation among the Defense Forces, the Defense Resources Agency, and the Security Police Board, coupled with thorough background checks and defined responsibility sharing. Nevertheless, its implementation would not immediately affect all reservists.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanked the rapporteur, announced that there were no questions, and invited Enn Eesmaa, a member of the National Defence Committee, to the Riigikogu podium to deliver a report introducing the discussion that had taken place within the National Defence Committee.
Enn Eesmaa
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The National Defence Committee discussed the current draft bill multiple times, noting that it concerns reservists, the Defence Service Act, and the Weapons Act, and requires amendments to these laws. The Committee unanimously decided to submit a proposal to the Riigikogu Board to include the draft bill on the agenda for the first reading and the final vote at the sitting on March 6th.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announced that debate would not take place and put to the final vote the draft resolution of the Riigikogu, submitted by the EKRE faction, which obligates the government to allow reservists to store firearms and ammunition at home and to provide financial assistance if necessary.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announced that Bill 331 had been rejected. Thirteen members of the Riigikogu voted in favor, and there were no votes against or abstentions.