Russian Firearms Rules

[Nick_Moscow 2]

Anyone here have experience bringing firearms to Russia? I'm pretty excited about buying my first firearm (not counting the .22 rifle my uncle gave me on my 18th birthday ), but now I'm concerned whether I'll even be able to bring the thing with me to Russia. My wife and I might move back to Russia soon for some time and I don't want to drop $500+ on a handgun if it'll just sit here in the States when I go to Russia.

I found this link http://www.consultant.ru/popular/weapon/40_1.html#p91 which I think lists the entire federal law on firearms. The language is Russian-legalese so I skipped a bunch of it to find what I was looking for - rules about handguns. It looks like article 6 (statiya 6 - hit "page down" ten times) point 1 pretty much outlaws handguns entirely when it says your bolt box (barrel??) can't be shorter than 500 mm, and the entire weapon itself cannot be shorter than 800 mm. This piece also says the magazine can't hold more than 10 bullets.

Am I reading this right? Does anyone else have feedback on firearms rules in Russia? I want the handgun for sport - it's fun to shoot at targets at the range - but it'll also be nice to have the gun at home for self-defense.

Thanks all for your input.

[eekee 182]

It reads to me like this law applies to citizens of the Russian Federation only. Want your gun? Stay in America.

[Nick_Moscow 2]

It reads to me like this law applies to citizens of the Russian Federation only. Want your gun? Stay in America.

Actually what's surprising me is that Russia's laws seem much more liberal on firearms than the rest of Europe! "Want your gun? Stay in Russia" might in fact be correct, too. You may be right that these laws mainly apply to Russian citizens but doesn't article 10.9 say foreigners can also own firearms? Or if only Russian can own them can't American husbands just register the long arm (no handguns, right?) in their Russian-citizen spouse's name? And article nine talks about how to register the firearm, right? Geez, I wonder what the bribery fee is for this license - can't be that high considering how many second-rate thugs in Moscow have handguns!

[KGB special force 0]

It is prohibited to bring weapons to Russia without special permission.

You cannot have such weapon at home for self-defence in Russia.

You can go to the shooting range for sport.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

It reads to me like this law applies to citizens of the Russian Federation only. Want your gun? Stay in America.

I lived in Ukraine and while it was possible for me to import certain firearms for sport purposes I found it impractical to do so and stored them with a family member. I DID purchase firearms in CZ Republic and had them shipped to a friend of mine who is a licensed importer in the US. I bought a wonderful Czech made 16ga. double gun that is London "Best Grade" all the way for $1000. The same quality by a British maker would be 10 times that price, at least.

YES you can own some firearms there but the hassles are not worth it for short trips or even temporary living IMO. Handguns are off the list for normal human beings, so are semi-autos. Bolt action rifles were common along with shotguns. Hunting is quite popular and common in both Russia and Ukraine, Biathalon is extremely popular. There is an indoor shooting range near our flat in Donetsk and Alla and I often go there. You can bring your own rifle (.22 only at th eindoor range) or use one of theirs.

[eekee 182]

Actually what's surprising me is that Russia's laws seem much more liberal on firearms than the rest of Europe! "Want your gun? Stay in Russia" might in fact be correct, too. You may be right that these laws mainly apply to Russian citizens but doesn't article 10.9 say foreigners can also own firearms? Or if only Russian can own them can't American husbands just register the long arm (no handguns, right?) in their Russian-citizen spouse's name? And article nine talks about how to register the firearm, right? Geez, I wonder what the bribery fee is for this license - can't be that high considering how many second-rate thugs in Moscow have handguns!

I didn't read the whole thing; it's long. But yeah 10.9 is foreign citizens.

And thugs are thugs and don't bother with things like licenses.

I wouldn't bother with importing anything, though. If you want a hunting rifle or whatever, just buy it over there.

[justashooter 430]

and then there are the USA rules on import and export of firearms to contend with...

[slim 1,525]

Go ahead and buy one. When you leave you can sell it to me at a reduced price.

[Nick_Moscow 2]

Nice, Slim

...Also I realized how ridiculously easy it would be to bring a handgun (long arm - a little tougher) with you across the border on a train. Just ride Platzkart and fake like you don't know Russian