The illegal circulation of firearms and ammunition in the criminal law of the Republic of Moldova: an analysis of the modalities of acquisition, manufacturing, repair, modification, and illegal commercialization provided under article 290 of the Criminal Code of the RM

URL: https://dspace.academy.police.md/the-illegal-circulation-of-firearms-and-ammunition-in-the-criminal-law-of-the-republic-of-moldova-an-analysis-of-the-modalities-of-acquisition-manufacturing-repair-modification-and-illegal-commer/

Data: 2026

The persistence of criminal phenomena associated with the illegal circulation of firearms and ammunition in the Republic of Moldova highlights the need for an in-depth analysis of the factual modalities through which their legal regime is violated. In this context, the illegal acquisition, manufacture, repair, modification of construction or marking, and commercialization of firearms, ammunition, and their essential components represent distinct forms of manifestation of the illicit arms circuit, capable of generating increased risks to public order and state security. The complexity of these conducts requires the identification of their defining elements and the establishment of clear legal criteria for distinguishing between the normative modalities provided under Art. 290 CC RM, in order to avoid misclassification and ensure a uniform application of criminal law. At the same time, the latent nature of these modalities necessitates the clarification of their essential features, with a view to strengthening the interpretative framework and enhancing the effectiveness of mechanisms for preventing and combating arms-related criminality in a criminogenic context marked by the diversification of this phenomenon.