Russia relaxes its gun laws. Business Insider

Putin at a shooting range. Business Insider/Reuters

Russia has relaxed its gun laws and has allowed Russians to carry their guns openly. -Business Insider. The policy allows for self defense but not against woman and children unless they attack in a group or with arms. Russians are now allowed to carry pistols, long barreled rifles and even odder weapons like home made guns and electric weapons. Licensed gun owners are not allowed to carry their weapons at political or religious rallies, with certain exceptions. Many people in Russia are afraid to walk alone at night, with only 46% feeling safe. Gun ownership in Russia pales in comparison to the United States but there are roughly 9 guns for every 100 people. America has 101.5 guns per 100 people. 

My Comment:

Sorry for the obviously biased source but finding info on this that isn't either completely biased or in Russian was incredibly hard. Of course any western media source is going to vilify this decision because western media is completely pro-gun control. And the only thing western media hates more then guns is Russia and Vladimir Putin. Even if this turns out to be the best thing Russia ever did the western media will still hate it. In short there was no chance of this story getting a fair shake. 

It is unfortunate because this particular article is fairly unclear. Is this new law based on a permit system? Is there concealed carry as well or only open carry? Does the law extend to minorities and/or religious minorities? And, most importantly, did people vote for this and do they approve of it? I have my hunches of course but I have no way to really answer these questions. If anyone reading does have a good link, let me know! 

And of course it is very sad that Russia is the only country to be loosening its gun control laws while the rest of the world is clamping down. Most countries don't even have gun rights in any meaningful sense, especially in Europe. In America our rights are under attack. And since everyone thinks that Russia is some kind of despotic hellhole, it is sad that a country with a very poor history of civil rights is the only country in Europe to fight for the right of self defense.