Yes it is true about PRO gun movement... Gun enthusiasts trying to create something like NRA in Russia...
There is great opposition & people are even more naive and uneducated there concerning gun ownership & just like here most of popular film stars are in open opposition to the idea of full legalization of firearms.
There is one thing you need to understand about Russian Federation - there are no States, ones it lawful it is lawful everywhere!
It is already legal to own semi auto rifle there & NO SEMI AUTO rifle is considered as an assault rifle. So it doesn't matter how it looks, if it shoots 1 round per trigger pull - it is NOT an assault rifle.
In order to get a permit for owning Saiga or AR or any other semi auto, you have to own a shotgun for 5 years without any incidence. After that you may apply for rifled rifle (bolt action or semi auto, doesn't matter they all in one category - LONG RIFLED FIREARM regardless of its look) but you MUST be a hunter.
As long as handguns - traumatic hand guns (which are totally banned here for some reason...) can be purchased for self defense after some bureaucratic routine, legally own real (non traumatic) handguns it is much more difficult & there are many debates are expected in future regarding this issue...
But overall I can say this - YES it is getting much more easy to own a firearm in Russia & future is very positive... unlike here, which is sad & disappointing!...
My cousin lives in Moscow & he's teasing me regarding this matter, since he already legally owns all kinds of rifles (including semi auto) and have legal access to full auto AKs with no problem & pretty soon he'll buy his own handgun (owning a handgun in Russia means you can carry it anywhere and anytime...) How do you like that? HUH?
