There are more than 51,000 permit-holding gun owners in Moldova. Together they possess 58,439 guns – 35,113 arms with smoothbore barrel, 7,725 gas pistols and 1,531 guns with rifled barrel, Info-Prim Neo has learnt from the Ministry of the Interior. Eighteen offences involving firearms have been committed this year. In seven cases, the guns were held illegally. There were also reported seven thefts and six losses of firearms. The permit to hold a gun is issued for a period of three to five years, depending on the type of the gun. A number of 600 new permits have been issued this year.