What the accusation must actually prove
Possession, carrying, storage, transfer and use of a weapon are distinct, and classification of the object is itself an expert question.
Was the item legally a weapon, who controlled it, what licence or exception applied, and what conduct is charged?
The prosecution must prove every required element beyond reasonable doubt; suspicion, association or an adverse outcome cannot fill an evidential gap.
Evidence specific to this allegation
Seizure record, ballistics and operability report, licence data, fingerprints or DNA, storage context, video and communications.
Conduct
Define the exact act attributed to each person, including time, place and role.
Mental element
Test knowledge, intent, purpose or negligence required by the potential provision.
Consequence and causation
Separate what happened from what the accused legally caused.
Articles that may enter the qualification
Illegal firearms, ammunition or explosives activity
Purchase, storage, carrying, manufacture, transport and sale are distinct forms of conduct under the provision.
Read full Article 236 text on this pageRead the relevant Criminal Code provisions
The panel below reproduces the available official English wording for convenient reading. Check the current Georgian text and the exact article part before relying on it, because later amendments may not yet appear in translation.
Article 236Illegal purchase, storage, carrying, manufacturing, transportation, forwarding or sale of firearms (other than hunting smooth-bore firearms (shotguns)), ammunition, explosives or explosive devices+
1. Illegal purchase or storage of a hunting firearm or a sports firearm, or of ammunition intended for such a weapon, –
shall be punished by a fine or house arrest for a term of six months to two years, or by imprisonment for a term of up to two years.
2. An act under paragraph 1 of this article committed:
a) by a group of persons;
b) repeatedly, –
shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of two to five years.
3. Illegal purchase or storage of a firearm (except for the one provided for in paragraph 1 of this article), ammunition (except for the one provided for in paragraph 1 of this article), explosive substance or explosive device, –
shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of three to six years.
4. Illegal carrying of a firearm, ammunition, explosive substance or explosive device, –
shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of four to seven years.
5. Illegal manufacturing, transportation, forwarding or sale of a firearm, ammunition, explosive substance or explosive device, –
shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of six to nine years.
6. An act provided for in paragraph 3, 4 or 5 of this article committed by:
a) a group of persons;
b) a person who has previously been convicted for an offence under paragraph 3, 4 or 5 of this article, –
shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of eight to eleven years.
Note: A person who voluntarily hands in the items provided for in this article shall be discharged from criminal liability, unless there are other elements of crime in his/her act.
The consolidated official source is listed in the source section at the end of this guide.
Do not handle or test the item privately; secure the full seizure and classification record.
Primary sources for this guide
Before acting, compare this guide with the current Georgian text and the exact document served in the case. The official English translation may not include the latest amendment.
Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia↗︎Criminal Code of Georgia↗︎Ministry of Finance Investigation Service↗︎