The Verkhovna Rada has adopted changes in the legislation prohibiting the passage with firearms, explosives and other prohibited items into the buildings of government agencies that are under state protection.
Corresponding draft law No.8155 on amending the law on state protection of Ukraine’s state authorities and officials was supported 263 lawmakers in the first reading and as a whole on March 20, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.
According to the text of the bill, persons with cold or firearms (except for people who exercise state protection of the relevant buildings), as well as persons with explosives or explosive items, ammunition, training or imitation ammunition, flammable liquids or combustible solids, pyrotechnic means will be banned from entering the buildings where the Verkhovna Rada, the president of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as other senior officials work with respect to which the state protection is exercised.
Member of the Committee for National Security and Defense Ivan Vinnyk (Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction) said during his speech that the committee recommends that poisonous and toxic substances be excluded from this list.
The bill also provides that servicemen of the State Guard of Ukraine while performing their duty on state security will have the right not to allow persons who carry the prohibited items to enter the above mentioned buildings.
The law comes into force on the day of its publication.
