The recent invasion of Ukrainian territory by Russia is a terrible event; a show of brutal strength by a superior state over a smaller state. And as such, is wholly condemned here.
It is however interesting to see how the Ukrainian state decided to bolster its armed services. After many years of state control over civilian firearms ownership, they had a change of heart.
The population of Ukrainia is about 45 million people. Civilian ownership of firearms' is permitted, but is regulated by the state. There are many regulations to ownership, of which some are listed here.
- an individual is 25 years of age for rifle ownership, 21 years of age for smoothbore weapon ownership, 18 years of age for cold or pneumatic weapon ownership;
- has no criminal record;
- has no history of domestic violence;
- has no mental illness or history of mental illness;
- has a good reason (target shooting, hunting, collection).
All responsible firearms owners are accepting of restrictions on violent, mentally unstable, or, criminal individuals ownership of firearms. And, always ensure that their firearms are kept away from minors, or, persons un-familiar with safe handling practices.
Restrictions on the type of firearms allowed to be owned are also regulated by the state. this also covers operating systems, magazine capacity, and ammunition quantities. The ownership of pistols, and self load, semi-automatic firearms of any sort are illegal. (a semi-automatic firearm only fires once with every trigger squeeze. The operating system will then cycle, placing another round in the chamber).
Ownership for personal defence, and concealed carry, are only available in a limited capacity, and only then if it can be proven that a threat to that individual can be proven.
According to the National Police of Ukraine database, and they should know, there are 892,854 registered firearms in Ukraine as of July 31, 2018. Although, some anti-gun organisations estimate there to be in excess of 3,569,000, or, maybe more. But by their nature these firearms would be illegal, and no-one can say for sure how many, or, how much of any illegal commodity there is in any country.
Therefore, based on the official figures, rounded for ease and convenience, there are approximately 50 citizens for every firearm in the Ukraine.
That was then, 23/2/2022. Now we are one day further into the Russian invasion, and the Ukrainian government has reportedly issued 10,000+ fully automatic firearms to any civilian who will take up arms to defend the country. (fully automatic firearms work in a similar way to that described previously, with the exception that once the trigger is squeezed, the firearm will continue to fire until the trigger is released, or, the magazine is empty)
There are two issues here worth looking at. Firstly, the state has restricted their citizens ability to become proficient with the armament they are supplying. And secondly, the state thinks that civilian owners must be heavily restricted, but now are willing to hand out firearms to anyone who is willing to pick one up, in order to defend the state that restricted them in the first place.
Our prayers are with Ukrainians in their bid to defend their country. They are also with all of those who will lose a loved one because of one tyrannical individual.
Freedom is not free, and it appears that more will have to pay the ultimate price before this current situation is resolved.
