Weapons On Campus: Russia's University Gun Laws

Russia has strict gun laws and a complex licensing system. Gun ownership is allowed for citizens over 18 who have passed gun-safety classes, federal tests, and background checks. Firearms may be acquired for self-defence, hunting, sports, or collection purposes. However, carrying weapons in public is restricted and requires a permit. The type of gun, its intended purpose, and calibre are all kept on record, and there are restrictions on magazine capacity, barrel length, and ammunition type. These laws are enforced by Russia's National Federal Police or National Guard.

Russia's gun laws

Russia has relatively strict gun laws and ownership regulations, and school shootings are rare in the country. However, following a school shooting in the city of Kazan in 2024, President Vladimir Putin ordered a tightening of these laws. The shooter, 19-year-old Ilnaz Galyaviev, used a semi-automatic shotgun, which is a type popular among hunters and relatively cheap in Russia. This incident has brought to light certain weaknesses in the country's gun control laws, which Russian politicians are working to address.

There are approximately four million legal gun owners in Russia, possessing a total of around 6.6 million firearms. However, there is also a large black market for guns, fuelled partly by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Getting a gun license in Russia is often easier in practice than it appears on paper, with medical and psychological checks not being very thorough. Additionally, the proliferation of Russian-made "traumatic" guns, which fire non-lethal rubber bullets, has become a concern as gangs have been converting them into lethal firearms.

In terms of gun culture, Russia stands in stark contrast to the United States. Most Russians do not support the free trade of arms and believe in tight control over firearm sales. Self-defence is an important aspect of Russian law, and the constitution guarantees the right to defend one's property. However, extensive background checks are required to purchase a firearm, and mental health history is scrutinised.

Gun culture in Russia

Russia's history of gun ownership has been tumultuous, from an armed populace during the monarchy to near-total disarmament under the Soviet Union. Today, Russia's gun laws stand in stark contrast to those in the United States, with extensive background checks and a five-year waiting period for rifle ownership. Despite these restrictions, gun culture in Russia is gaining popularity, with a focus on self-defence and a constitutional right to defend one's property.

Gun Laws in Russia

Russia's gun control laws are governed by the Federal Law on Weapons, which categorises weapons into three types: civil, service, and military. Russian citizens over 18 can obtain a firearms license after safety classes, a federal test, and a background check. Firearms are permitted for self-defence, hunting, sports, and collection. Handguns, once restricted to sports and competitive shooting, are now allowed for self-defence on private property. However, only handguns using rubber bullets can be carried in public.

Obtaining a license for rifles involves a five-year waiting period, during which owners are limited to smoothbore firearms, typically shotguns. This restriction has led to the development of cartridges that technically qualify as smoothbore but offer improved performance, allowing civilians to own rifle-like weapons without the lengthy wait.

Gun Culture and Trends

Despite the stringent gun laws, gun culture in Russia is on the rise. Self-defence is a significant aspect of Russian law and culture, and it is constitutionally protected. However, there is little demand for widespread civilian gun ownership, and changing these laws is not a priority in Russian politics.

Gun-related crimes have been increasing, with a peak of 5,400 incidents in 2015. The black market for guns is also a concern, fuelled by the conflict in eastern Ukraine and illegal online sales.

In contrast to the United States, where gun laws are often debated, Russia's focus on strict control and extensive background checks aims to limit access to firearms, especially for those with mental health issues or a history of substance abuse.

Gun violence in Russia

Russian laws regarding gun ownership stand in stark contrast to those in the United States. To purchase a firearm in Russia, one must be over 18 and pass extensive background checks, including medical certificates from a psychiatrist and an ophthalmologist. Those with a history of mental illness or substance abuse are disqualified. However, getting a gun license in practice is reportedly easier than it appears on paper, with medical checks often not being very thorough.

Gun crime in Russia has been steadily rising, peaking in 2015 with 5,400 incidents. In April 2017, there were an estimated 4.5 million Russians in legal possession of approximately 7.3 million weapons. While this may seem high, it only includes around 3% of the population. The future of gun ownership in Russia is uncertain, with some predicting a decline in gun-related crimes as the government pushes back against the illegal weapons trade, while others foresee a growing interest in shooting sports and weapons collection.

In response to a school shooting in Kazan, President Vladimir Putin ordered a tightening of gun control laws. Proposals include raising the minimum age for license holders and improving data collection on gun owners and sales.

Gun control in Russia

As of 2013, Russian citizens over 18 years of age can obtain a firearms license for self-defence, hunting, sports activities, or collection purposes. To obtain a license, one must attend gun-safety classes, pass a federal test and background check, and be deemed fit by a psychiatrist and ophthalmologist. The minimum age does not apply to those serving in the army, members of state military organisations, or police officers.

Firearms are subject to a tier system, and purchases are initially limited to long smooth-bore firearms and pneumatic weapons with a muzzle energy of up to 25 joules (18 ft⋅lbf). After five years of shotgun ownership, rifles may be purchased. Handguns are generally prohibited from being carried in public, and are reserved for sports and competitive shooting, or self-defence on one's property. An individual cannot possess more than ten guns unless they are part of a registered gun collection.

In 2014, Russia relaxed its gun laws by simplifying regulations for foreigners travelling with firearms, and making regulations stricter for firearm licensing, safekeeping, and the purchase of non-lethal firearms. In July 2016, requirements were updated for the registration, licensing, and storage of hunting, sporting, pneumatic, and gas weapons.

In the wake of the 2021 Kazan school shooting, President Vladimir Putin ordered a tightening of Russia's gun controls. The minimum age for buying hunting rifles and long-barrelled guns was raised from 18 to 21, and additional restrictions were added to prevent those with a history of drug or alcohol abuse from obtaining a gun license.

While gun violence is rare in Russia, there is a large black market for guns, fuelled by the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Gun ownership in Russia

Gun control in Russia is carried out in accordance with the Federal Law on Weapons. The law establishes three major categories of weapons: civil, service, and military.

Russian citizens over 18 can obtain a firearms license for self-defence, hunting, sports, or collection purposes. However, they must first attend gun-safety classes, pass a federal test and background check, and have no history of mental illness or substance abuse.

There are restrictions on the types of firearms that can be purchased. Initially, purchases are limited to long smooth-bore firearms and pneumatic weapons with a muzzle energy of up to 25 joules. After five years of shotgun ownership, rifles may be purchased. Handguns are generally prohibited from being carried in public, and are reserved for sports and competitive shooting. An individual cannot possess more than ten guns unless they are part of a registered gun collection.

In the wake of school shootings, there have been calls for tighter gun control in Russia. President Vladimir Putin ordered a review of gun control laws following the Kazan school shooting in 2024, which left seven children and two adults dead. This incident highlighted weaknesses in the system that politicians demanded be addressed. There is a large black market for guns in Russia, fuelled in part by the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.

Gun culture in Russia has been described as a "rollercoaster", ranging from an armed populace during the monarchy to near-complete disarmament during the Soviet Union. While gun ownership is not a major point of contention in Russian politics, self-defence is an important aspect of Russian law, and the constitution guarantees the right to defend one's property.

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