On this date, 19 November
2014, Russia allowed citizens to have the right to bear and keep arms for self-defense.
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Armed pro-Russian
separatists of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic pledge an oath
during a ceremony in Donetsk on June 21, 2014
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Gun politics in Russia refer to the firearms legislation in the Russian
Federation. Russian gun laws are known to be moderately restrictive, while
firearms are federally controlled, they are accessible.
Russian
citizens can own firearms for hunting, sport-shooting, pest-control,
self-defense and collecting. Currently, the firearms that are legal in Russia
include handguns, and any rifle that is not a military-style assault rifle,
such as AK-47s, AR-15s or FN-FALs.
While
no license is required to purchase a firearm, first-time buyers must pass
through a background check, and attend firearms safety classes. Firearms are
also required to be registered with the Russian National Federal Police. A
Public Carry Permit is required to carry firearms in public, either for hunting
or self-defense.
Sport-shooting
and hunting are two very popular activities in Russia. Out of a population of
approximately 110,000,000 people, there are 35,340,900 registered firearms, and
4,041,000 Public Carry permits according to a 2015 estimate. Russia ranks one
of the highest gun-owning nations in Eastern Europe, joining Belarus, Ukraine
and Serbia.
The
main gun-rights organization in Russia are the Motherland Rifle Coalition and
the Russian National Shooters Organization. Other popular organization include
the Smoothbore Federation
and the Hunters and Fishers Association.
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Margarita Maimur, Irina Zarubina and Dasha
Savich (from left to right), fighters of the Sparta battalion of Russian-backed
militants, patrolling Donetsk.
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History
Gun
culture was an essential part of Russian life, back to the days of Imperial
Russia - especially in the Ural Mountains region. Guns were used primarily for
hunting.
During
the Russian Civil War, guns were embraced by both the Communists and the
Royalists. Vladimir Lenin supported the right to bear arms in order to prevent
a dictatorship. However, during the rule of Joseph Stalin, he enacted a strict
gun control system, especially in the Ukrainian SSR.
During
the Soviet-era, guns were owned illegally since they remained outlawed until
1992, when guns were re-legalized under strict regulations.
In
1992 under president Mikhail Gorbachev, Russian citizens could only own
smooth-bore and double-barreled shotguns, for hunting, pest-control and
target-shooting only. Handguns were limited to retired army veterans, police
officers and other with a military or law enforcement background.
Under
the presidency of Vladimir Putin in 2000, handguns were legalized for ordinary
citizens, under strict-licensing. Carry Permits were issued for rifles and
shotguns, only for hunting.
In
June 6, 2011, under the presidency of Dmitry Medvedev, self-defense was finally
legalized in the Federation, and Public Carry Permits were created for citizens
wishing to carry loaded firearms in the public for self-defense and new set of
regulations were made. A number of non-military firearms and shotguns were also
legalized in Russia, including pump-action and lever-action shotguns.
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Yulia Kharlamova in winter army fatigues with
her AK-74.
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Modern-day
regulations
Requirements
No
license is required to purchase a firearm, though there are requirements. In
order to purchase a firearm, a citizen must be 18 years of age. They must also
pass a background check for any criminal history and mental illnesses. They
must also pass a six-hour firearms safety course, and earn a certificate which
they must present to a gun dealer, and may therefore, purchase a firearm. All
firearms must be registered with the Russian National Federal Police.
Public carry regulations
In
order to carry a firearm in public, a citizen must apply for a Public Carry
Permit (Russian: Общественный Проведение Разрешение). A person must state a
legal reason for doing so, either for hunting or for self-defense. A Public
Carry Permit is for 7 years, and must be renewed afterwards. Failure to do so
will result in revocation of license, as well as the need to re-apply for a new
license.
Storage and
transportation laws
When
not in use, firearms must be properly stored. The RNFP stated that firearms
must either be unloaded and have trigger-locks to make them inoperable. They
can however, be loaded but must be properly locked in a vault, gun case or a
gun closet if being used for self-defense. When transporting to a gun range, a
firearm must be locked in a case, or separate from the ammunition.
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Pro-Russian
separatist commander Igor Girkin with his Stechkin APS Pistol.
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INTERNET
SOURCE: http://www.rt.com/news/206703-russia-guns-self-defense/
Russians
can now carry guns for ‘self-defense’
Published time: 19 Nov, 2014 00:05
Edited time: 19 Nov, 2014 12:16
In
an amendment to its tough gun control laws, the Russian government eases
restrictions, allowing citizens to carry licensed weapons for the purposes of
‘self-defense.’
Until
now Russian gun enthusiasts were only permitted to carry firearms for hunting
or target shooting after obtaining a license through the Interior Ministry.
Russian gun licenses are to be renewed every five years, and applicants face
strict background checks and are required to take gun safety courses.
The
addendum to the law now lists self-defense as a legally acceptable reason for
carrying a weapon.
However,
a 2011 Levada poll found that 81 percent of Russians opposed easing the
existing gun regulations.
In
spite of its restrictive gun laws, Russia has seen its share gun violence. In
2012, a 30 year old lawyer opened fire on his colleagues at a pharmaceutical
company, killing six. Just last year, 15-year-old straight A student, Sergey
Gordeyev, killed a teacher and a police officer after taking 29 students
hostage.
The
government’s press service underscored that carrying a weapon will remain
prohibited at educational institutions, establishments which operate at night
and serve alcohol, and mass public gatherings such as street demonstrations or
protests. The legislation also forbids carrying a weapon while under the
influence of alcohol.
The
law broadly defines self-defense weapons, including smoothbore long barrelled
guns, pistols, revolvers, and other firearms, as well as Tasers, and devices
equipped with teargas. Long barrelled fire arms and edged weapons are, however,
forbidden by the law.
In
addition, the amendment softened requirements for foreigners bringing arms into
the Russian Federation or purchasing arms on Russian territory. The grace
period for foreigners awaiting a license from the Interior Ministry for
firearms has been increased from 5 to 10 days.
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Young gun: This grab from the camp's website shows
just how young the recruits are encouraged to start learning
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Putin Just Gave All
Russians the Right to Carry a Rifle Anywhere
What
could possibly go wrong?
By
November
19, 2014
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Vladimir Putin with his rifle
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Today,
the Russian government changed its gun laws to allow citizens to carry rifles in
public for the purpose of self-defense. Sound terrifying? It is.
Let's
think about the context into which guns will be introduced. The Russians are
the second-biggest consumers of hard liquor in the world (first
in Europe). According to the World Health Organization, risky
drinking—defined as "frequency and circumstances of alcohol consumption
and the proportion of people drinking alcohol to intoxication"—is highest
in the Russian Federation. Drinking in that country already often leads to suicide and
accidents and
fights.
Russia
is also a country where people are massively suspicious of their fellow citizens, and equally
unsure of their future. And that was before the Russians invaded Ukraine and
whipped its own population into an aggressive, nationalist frenzy. One very
telling incident: a young Russian journalist was slapped by an older woman
on the metro for wearing a shirt with Snoopy holding a British flag. Imagine if
the woman had a rifle slung over her shoulder. (That's not hard to imagine if
you read my
2012 piece about the small but very active gun rights lobby in Russia.)
As
if to punctuate the point, President Vladimir Putin, speaking Tuesday at the
United People's Front said: "You can get a lot more done with politeness and
a weapon than with politeness alone."
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Pro-Russian-separatist leader Alexander
Zakharchenko, center, surrounded by guards near the Donetsk airport in Donetsk,
eastern Ukraine. Photograph: Mstyslav Chernov/AP
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INTERNET
SOURCE: http://asia.rbth.com/society/2013/04/03/russian_public_has_no_problem_with_gun_laws_24581.html
Russian public has no
problem with gun laws
April
3, 2013
Opinion polls show that
an overwhelming majority of Russians are against handgun ownership.
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Deki THE Serbian Hero
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Although
gun violence is fairly rare in Russia, most Russians believe that ordinary
citizens should not be allowed to own and carry handguns.
A
survey by the Zircon
public opinion research group taken last September showed that 74 percent
of Russians did not support the right to bear arms. This number has barely
moved since the fall of the Soviet
Union. According to the Levada
Center public opinion research center, 76 percent of Russians opposed the
idea in 1991.
Nevertheless,
Zircon experts note that a shift in favor of legalizing firearms – albeit a
slight one – has occurred over the past few years. The share of respondents who
support the free sale of firearms has risen from 14 percent to 22 percent since
2010. Sociologists attribute this change to lobbying by gun activists who
advocate firearms as a means of self-defense.
While
Russian law prohibits civilians from owning handguns, any Russian 18 years old
or older can purchase long-barrel, smoothbore firearms or a traumatic weapon (a
non-lethal weapon that fires rubber bullets). According to data from the Interior Ministry
data, around five million Russians own a firearm of some sort. However, any
changes to the legal status of guns in Russia is likely to involve increasing
restrictions rather than any loosening of regulations.
After
a bloody drama last fall in which a legal counsel for a Moscow firm shot and
killed six of his co-workers in an office building, the government made noise
about tightening regulations on gun ownership.
And
when the Liberal-Democratic Party of Russia recently put forward an initiative to
allow citizens to use certain types of handguns for self-defense, the
official comment on the bill said: “A free circulation
of short-barrel, threaded firearms would have a negative effect on public
safety in the country.”
State
Duma Deputy Alexei Zhuravlev believes that Russia lacks a gun culture and free
circulation is a bad idea.
“Our citizens own tens of millions of units of firearms and
traumatic weapons. And hotheads often start using them out of boredom,” Zhuravlev said.
But
other public figures across the political spectrum support the right to own
handguns. “Owning a gun does not mean that a person
will use it, it means that criminals won’t know who has a gun, and will be wary
of approaching people,” said lawyer Mikhail
Barschevsky.
According
to sociologists, Russians who report being victims of crime were twice as
likely to support the legalization of handguns and almost two-and-a-half times
as likely to purchase firearms as those who have not personally experienced
criminal behavior.
Russian citizens over the age of 18 can legally purchase several
categories of weapons including long-barrel, smoothbore firearms, traumatic
(non-lethal) weapons, and guns for hunting after obtaining a license from their
local Ministry of Internal Affairs division. Law enforcement agencies purchase
firearms themselves and issue them to their officers for a given period of
time. Russian police can’t say how many firearms are circulating in the black
market. However, according to official data, tens of thousands of various
illegal firearms are confiscated annually. The illegal purchase, transfer or
sale of firearms is punishable by between three and four years in prison under
Russia’s Criminal Code.
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A pro-Russian
separatist stands guard near the temple of Archangel Michael in Makiivka,
outside Donetsk, October 29, 2014. Maxim Zmeyev
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INTERNET
SOURCE: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/russia-legalises-guns-self-defence-murder-rates-among-highest-world-1475681
Russia Legalises Guns
for Self Defence with Murder Rates Among Highest in World
By
Tom Porter
November
19, 2014 17:40 GMT
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Russian President Vladimir Putin fires a
Kalashnikov assault rifle
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Russia,
which according to official figures has the fifth highest murder rate in the
world, has relaxed its gun ownership laws.
Previously,
Russians were only allowed to own firearms for hunting or target practice, but
under the new laws they will be allowed to carry them for self-defence as well.
Though
Russia's murder rate has fallen since the 1990s, when organised crime
flourished, figures show the country still has a high murder rate.
In
the most recent year for which statistics are available, 2009, there were
21,603 murders in Russia.
This
gives it one of the world's highest murder rates, according to a 2011 UN
report.
In
the same year the US, which has a population almost twice as large, had 13,636
homicides.
More
than 80% of the killings in the US were gun related.
Pro-gun
ownership campaigners however point to US statistics as proof that ownership of
firearms could keep them safer.
Some
Russians blame corrupt police for the high crime rates.
Opposition
politician Alexander Navalny, who supports gun ownership, quipped to the New
Republic magazine in 2012 that firearms could help keep Russians safer from the
law enforcement officers charged with protecting them.
"We
have a huge homicide rate, most of these murders are unsolved, and many police
officers are among the criminals," he told the magazine.
"In
America, the argument works that there are professionals to protect us. Here,
the police are the main criminals, and they're armed."
Others
from the pro-gun ownership lobby said that firearms would help keep Russians
safer from criminals.
"A person may decide not to commit a crime if he thinks he may
be shot or may encounter resistance,"
Maria Butina, founder of the Russian Right to Bear Arms organisation, told the
magazine.
Currently,
Russians own 13 million forearms, in comparison with the 310 million owned in
the US.
In
February, 15-year-old Sergei Gordyeyev killed two teachers with his father's
rifle at his school in Moscow and took 20 students hostage before being
arrested.
Under
the new laws, gun licenses in the country will still have to be renewed every
five years, and applicants will be required to undergo background checks and
take a safety course.
Weapons
that Russians will be allowed to carry in self-defence include pistols,
revolvers and shotguns.
It
will remain illegal to carry weapons in educational establishments, in bars and
nightclubs, and at public gatherings such as street demonstrations and
protests. It will also be prohibited under the influence of alcohol.
As
if to underscore his belief in the virtues of being armed, Vladimir Putin,
echoing Al Capone, this week told a meeting of the Russia United People's
Front: "You can get a lot more done with
politeness and a weapon than with politeness alone."
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Russian Orthodox extremism, despite its
presumably ascetic monastic roots, doesn’t avoid some terrorist erotics and
sexuality
[PHOTO SOURCE: http://ahamot.org/en/russian-orthodox-extremism/]
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