10.
Session: The 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Information Hour
Date: 2025-10-15 16:52
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 3
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 2m
AI Summaries: 3/3 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
During the information hour, a security-related question was raised concerning restrictions on the possession and acquisition of weapons in Estonia. A member of the Riigikogu (PID: lbM-4Rz4iuw) asked the Prime Minister whether the government intends, given the current security situation, to move in the direction of making it possible for more Estonian people to acquire weapons for self-defense, and the protection of family and property. The questioner noted that the National Defence Committee and the Ministry of Defence have been in agreement regarding simplifications, while the Ministry of the Interior has been critical, even though Minister of the Interior Igor Taro promised during the debate to lift the restrictions.
The Prime Minister responded that the government has discussed weapons laws primarily in the context of improving the competitiveness of the defense industry, giving examples of obstacles to weapons production in Estonia. Regarding the acquisition of weapons by private individuals, the Prime Minister expressed the instinctive view that owning a weapon should certainly be easier for law-abiding, vetted, and loyal citizens of the Estonian state. He emphasized that he is waiting for Minister of the Interior Igor Taro to bring the promised material and position to the government in order to precisely review which obstacles are currently in force.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant was the questioner (PID: lbM-4Rz4iuw), who raised a detailed security policy issue concerning restrictions on weapon ownership and demanded a clear position from the government (position: other).
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
A Member of the Riigikogu submitted an interpellation to the Prime Minister regarding security matters, specifically focusing on restrictions concerning the possession and acquisition of firearms in Estonia. The speaker pointed out that this topic has been repeatedly discussed in the National Defence Committee, noting that the Ministry of Defence has maintained a relatively consistent position in favour of easing these restrictions, whereas the Ministry of the Interior has remained quite critical up to this point. Reference was made to a previous active debate during which the relaxation of restrictions and certain simplifications in obtaining gun permits were promised. Therefore, the speaker wishes to know the current position of the government and the Prime Minister. Does the government believe that, given the current security situation in Estonia, the country should move towards allowing more people to acquire weapons for the protection of themselves, their family, and their property, or does it prefer to maintain the status quo, where acquiring weapons and obtaining permits remains highly complicated?
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The speaker stressed the necessity of discussing amendments to the Weapons Act within the government, the goal of which is to improve the competitive position of the Estonian defense industry relative to neighboring countries. He highlighted the absurd situation where defense industry companies have had to go to Finland to assemble certain weapons because they were unable to do so in Estonia. Such a hurdle is nonsense, and the state must create conditions for the defense industry to develop in Estonia and take the necessary steps domestically. Additionally, the speaker is awaiting the promised position paper from Interior Minister Igor Taro on the issue of firearms ownership to be submitted to the government. He intuitively felt that gun ownership should be simpler for law-abiding, loyal citizens who support the Estonian state. However, this requires that the process is reasonably structured and properly regulated. Finally, the speaker emphasized the need to analyze what exactly in the current legislation is preventing this streamlining.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Riigikogu's information hour for today has concluded. The presiding officer conveyed thanks to both the Prime Minister and the members of the Government of the Republic and the Riigikogu. It was specifically emphasized that the debate was highly substantive. As no further questions could be submitted within the scheduled timeframe, the current sitting was declared closed. However, parliamentary work will resume shortly. The presiding officer announced that the Riigikogu plenary session will begin precisely at 2:00 PM, continuing with the Parliament's topical agenda.