The issue of the impact of legalization of weapons on the reduction of crime has been discussed in Russian society for many years, and opinions, as in the United States, are divided. What happens after? "Opposition" crime or Vice versa, even greater criminal threat.
For me, as a person who has owned a weapon for many years, the debate on this topic is of particular importance, because the opinions of those who believe that in Russia it is impossible to resolve weapons because of the peculiarities of the mentality — just absurd. In the lives of people I know there have been cases where due to the weapon, not the state they are still with us. Why, passing all the necessary tests and training, we want to deprive the right to protect themselves and loved ones, their homes?!
It is striking that antagonists of weapons in Russia against its use for as self-defense. The question arises, and you know that almost every one of us (even after the latest changes in the legislation), can easily obtain permission and buy a shotgun (for hunting). And aim is not specifically necessary, and the buckshot gives a killer result for a short distance! To ban hunting, too?
Yes, the problem with weapons in Russia is not as acute as in America. The carrying of firearms is prohibited, and there are no analogues of the second amendment to the Constitution.
However terribly another, unlike America, even being protected in case of penetration of the criminal into the house, in Russia it is possible to lose easily freedom for exceeding the limit of necessary defense.
There are doubts about the prohibition of covert wearing, which is prohibited in many States, ie, you must openly show others that you have a tool "increased danger". At the same time in Russia with the widespread advent of metal detectors, even wearing ordinary traumatic gun (shoots rubber bullets) is also perceived differently. My permission, valid throughout the country, cost me: and removal from the flight, and hours of inspections, and banal misunderstanding of staff in cafes, cinemas and other public places.
No, do not think that I am in favor of broad access to weapons of all in a row, I understand that many psychologists are convinced of the danger of imaginary security of citizens who own weapons. But strangely, other sources of danger such stringent measures are not, and in this issue, the society took up arms.
I think there are those who share my position that the danger is not the weapon itself, but only a certain part of its owners, which sometimes has terrible training! For adequate citizens who observe the necessary rules and are aware of the dangerous consequences, this is only a sound instrument of protection.
Law enforcement agencies do not hide that "in the hands" of residents of Russia are thousands of illegal weapons, and it is certainly more dangerous for others. That's exactly what you should pay more attention to.
Today in Russia there are more than 4 million owners of the weapon (about 3% of the population). However, the number of cases of abuse is negligible. But the criminals are armed, for 2017 year revealed more than 19 thousand cases of illegal arms trafficking (which means the black market still exists).
A bill to legalize civil handguns is already there, it even plan to transfer for consideration to the Parliament.
Of course, there is a Risk that the proliferation of real weapons in society will increase threats to the unarmed population. While legalizing short-barrel weapons, we may also face the fact that the expansion of the police response to citizens potentially possessing weapons will lead to a significant increase in "tragedies in detention". Which US citizens know not by hearsay.
Although I own a weapon, I believe legislators need to seriously consider the next step, to really assess the level of protection of citizens and the expediency of legalizing short-barrel weapons. And what do you think: to legalize, to leave everything as it is, or to ban it altogether?