Russia says no to use of weapons by civilians
October 30th, 2010 - 1:21 pm ICT by IANSMoscow, Oct 30 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A Russian minister has said the country should prohibit the use of non-lethal weapons by civilians, after a woman journalist was shot at with a rubber bullet.
Russian Justice Minister Alexander Konovalov said Friday that the use of such weapons by civilians should be banned.
“I think that non-lethal weapons should be banned in Russia,” Konovalov said in an interview with Russia Today (RT) television, when asked about an incident when a man shot an RT journalist in the foot with a handgun.
Natalya Arkhiptseva was shot in Moscow’s Prado Cafe with a rubber bullet Oct 9 allegedly by Sergei Virolaynen, 35, a chief executive of a company in St. Petersburg.
Arkhiptseva said he opened fire after she objected to being sworn at by him and his friends as she walked passed their table.
“There is a lot of talk nowadays about allowing Russian citizens to bear arms, but I am absolutely sure that it is impossible,” Konovalov said.
At present, Russians have the right to carry non-lethal weapons bought under an easily-obtainable license.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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