Russian Gun Lobby Seeks Right To Bear Arms

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty ^ | December 20, 2012 | Glenn Kates

[DBeers]

MOSCOW -- The mass shooting last week at an elementary school in Connecticut sparked calls for stricter gun control laws in the United States. But thousands of kilometers away, the fledgling gun lobby in Moscow drew a different lesson: Gun laws in Russia should be liberalized.

And while the powerful U.S. gun lobby group, the National Rifle Association, waited four days before issuing a public statement on the tragedy, which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults, the Moscow-based Right To Bear Arms made its voice heard within hours with an announcement on its website calling for increased access to weapons.

"In this shooting six teachers died, six people who could literally use only their hands to defend children," said Maria Butina, the organization's 24-year old founder. "The murderer planned this knowing that no one would be armed."

Boosted by a surge of civic activism and a stream of new violence that has kept guns in the news, leaders of Russia’s gun movement -- virtually nonexistent a year ago -- say all they have to do now is convince Russians themselves of the value of greater access to guns.

And their rhetoric appears to be inspired, at least in part, by that of the gun lobby in the United States.

[DBeers]

Maybe we will see an international black market in arms develop for freedom loving citizens IF they try to take away our right to self defense -why should only subversive governments and clandestine organizations have the right?

[Southern Partisan]

The commies will never allow it.

[expat2]

Maybe a chicken in every pot and a Kalashnikov in every home.

[George Varnum]

I can’t quite see Komrade Vladamir being any more a fan of the idea of an armed Russian Peasantry than his old Uncle Joe was back in the 1930s.

Unless one is a member of the KGB (or whatever they call themselves now) the Russian Mafia (interchangeable?) or the ruling elite one does not want to get caught in possession of a firearm within the rapidly reconstituting Soviet Empire.

Good for the Ruskies for having the moxie to try it anyway. I wonder how many of these rights activists will still be found among the living in a month or two?

This gives new meaning to the phrase “Demand you right to arm bears”.

Ironically there are probably places is Russia where people have more freedom than we currently do here. I’ve heard that their taxes are not as high for one thing, and medical care will probably be on a par after Obamacare kicks in.

I wonder if loyal urban Mammushkas have their free Vladdophones yet?

After all; there is still one mitigating factor to communism that might make it nearly bearable;

...Vodka.

Obama’s second term might be a good time to invest in booze, Komrade.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

There are several ways the Russian gun lobby can appeal to both the government and the citizenry. But it must do so from the point of view of Russian historical biases.

By this, to start with, they must make it clear that they are patriotic, nationalistic, pro-police, pro-military, and very much in favor of law and order.

As in the US, many positive gun rights advances began with the police being very apprehensive. But after they experienced gun liberty first hand, the police for the most part agreed that it was a very good thing. It does not make their job harder, it makes it easier, and to some extent, safer.

[Lurker]

Not to quibble, but they already have the right to arms. They just need to get their government to respect it. By any means necessary.

[klpt]

http://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/russia

[Eye of Unk]

I suspect Putin will allow more gun ownership, because it would be a slap in the face to America.

But I seriously doubt the Russkies will go ape shit crazy about buying any AR rifle. Or internet bragging about how tecchie it is.

[trebb]

Putin is not amused...

[DBeers]

Thanks for the link.