Gun politics in the Soviet Union (Right to Bear Arms)

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, 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 approximetaly 110,000,000 people, there are approximately 40,000,000 registered firearms, and 5,341,000 Public Carry permits.

The main gun-rights organization in Russia are the Motherland Rifle Coalition and the Russian National Shooters Organization.

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.

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 revokation 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 seperate from the ammunition.