RUSSIANS TO BE PROVIDED WITH THE RIGHT FOR SELF-DEFENSE

On Friday the State Duma passed amendments to the Criminal Code that are to increase the rights of the Russians for self-defense. For example, a new norm has appeared: “if an attack has posed a threat to the life, the harm to the assailant can not be treated as a crime.”

Earlier the Criminal Code contained a norm on inadmissibility of excessive self-defense. It is clear that if an assailant was murdered or injured, the man who defended his life was to be made answerable for the action. In accordance with the former Criminal Code it was rather complicated to prove that self-defense did not exceed the norm. And it seemed that the life was made simpler for criminals and more complicated for law-abiding citizens. The only thing to hope for then was to expect that the life would be preserved. 365 deputies voted for the amendments to the Code, one deputy abstained from voting, none of the deputies voted against the amendments. The crime rate has considerably increased in Russia, and law enforcement authorities fail to cope with it. The passing of the amendments means, the government, probably rather unwillingly, has to shift the defense of lives on the people themselves.

The social status is not a protection from assaults nowadays – the rich and the poor suffer equally. But the first have more chances for attraction of the public attention and for their own protection.

The confusion in the society and lack of faith in the ability of the authorities to restrain waves of crime make some people ask for restoration of capital punishment. Opponents of the capital punishment restoration say, those countries that practice capital punishment do not observe reduction of the crime rate. But the objections do not seem to be rather convincing for Russia.

Obviously you've never been to Russia where on Sunday the numerous churchs (all the old ones are being rebuilt and new ones are constantly spreading) are packed. All my friends and relatives are at least baptised if not actively praciticing and most are. There is also a shortage of priests because of the high demand. The man is just trying to suck money out of protestants, that's all. Go to Russia some time and see. Even under the communists the number of practicing (mostly in private) was much higher then 10%.

As an American of Finnish heritage, I can conmfirm that the numbers you suggest are at least generally accurate for Georgia and Ukraina where I've visited, though I'd guess at closer to 15%-25%, as of circa 1995-96. Though I've not been to Russia proper, I'd be surprised if the numbers there were very much higher, or very much lower, though I also expect some regional differences. I guess I will find out once I'm there.

If anything, I find the people I've met to be devout believers whose religion is not the affectation or defining characteristic to them that it is to many Americans [and others] but a sincere faith in a higher power that offers comfort to some and hope to others- and both to a fortunate few.

I've noted that characteristic in Polish Catholics and Finnish Lutherans and a few Israeli Kibbutznikim as well, so I'm certain it's not limited to any one people, region or belief, but it does appear to be one that for some, fits like a glove.

-archy-/-

The passing of the amendments means, the government, probably rather unwillingly, has to shift the defense of lives on the people themselves.
Oh the horror, the horror!... Yuri, where's my Tokarev?...
And it seemed that the life was made simpler for criminals and more complicated for law-abiding citizens.
Does this sound familiar?

Well, you should be wearing your TT33, not having your assistant look for it. Not a whole lot of holsters are suitable for them, but I have an old Triple-K belt rig meant for a S&W M39 that works pretty well, though I'd like a vertical shoulder holster for one.

I've been making do with a C96 Mauser *Broomhandle* instead recently, another piece that's not the easiest in the world to conceal, but the weather here in Memphis has been very suitable for field jackets and overcoats lately, and that helps.

And some interesting projects involving the TT33 and hotrodding it into a very serious defensive piece are in the works as well. Those Russians may have excellent timing, getting into the defensive weaponry business just as some interesting prospects appear possible.

And if it'll work for a 7,62x25mm Tokarev, it'll do the same for a PPS-43 SMG, or possibly even the old WWII *Russian Guitar*, the PPSh-41, with its 71-round drum magazine....

-archy-/-

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