Plans are underway to tighten vetting of members of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, with a focus on activities and connections that could affect their reliability and loyalty.
Proposed amendments to the Riflemen’s Act, submitted to the Lithuanian Parliament, would assess a person’s activities and connections for factors affecting reliability, loyalty and national security interests, including links to foreign intelligence, terrorist groups, and organised crime.
“If someone is hiding something, a skeleton can always come out of the pocket or the wardrobe later. We want loyal citizens, so that nobody ends up turning their weapon on us. There are all sorts of cases – the post-Soviet space has many people with divided loyalties,” said Colonel Linas Idzelis, head of the Riflemen's Union.
The Riflemen’s Union, founded in 1919, is a voluntary paramilitary civic organisation whose stated goals are enhancing national defence capabilities and fostering civic spirit. It has played a symbolic and practical role in Lithuania’s defence strategy, attracting thousands of new members since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Currently, it has about 18,000 members.
The stricter checks would apply to both new and existing members of the union, with the exception of junior riflemen. The vetting process is planned to take a transitional period of two and a half years. Costs in the first year are estimated at around €150,000, with slightly lower amounts required for the following two years.
Members noted that until now, selection and enrolment had not been particularly demanding.
“It wasn’t difficult for me, but I would like the process to be more rigorous, so that those joining are genuinely committed to Lithuania’s defence,” said Union member Gintarė Grybauskaitė Kaminskienė.
The proposed stricter vetting comes alongside draft legislative amendments, supported by the Lithuanian government, which would see some specialised units of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union integrated into the armed forces in the event of war. Around 5,000 of the current 18,000 members would be affected.
“They will support the Lithuanian Armed Forces during conflict, assisting command units and developing highly specialised capabilities needed by the army – from drone operations and logistics to media, communications and information services,” explained Deputy Defence Minister Tomas Godliauskas.
Members say they join the Riflemen’s Union to find their place in society and to feel both confident and capable of defending their family and community in times of danger.
Colonel Linas Idzelis, head of the Union, added that the automatic integration of members into the armed forces during wartime ensures they acquire even greater knowledge and skills.
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