The political and business newspaper «Nizhegorodskaya pravda» (NP) – the official newspaper for publication of regulations and state procurement of Nizhny Novgorod region. In its latest issue the newspaper told the readers about the Security Academy «Berkut» where every non-military weapon owner or person who wants to own it is obligated to undergo a special training course – as required by the law «On Weapons». The Security Academy «Berkut» is the only educational structure in the region that is authorized to conduct training of non-military weapon owners.
«If you want to own weapon - take the training course. This requirement in the law «On Weapons» was introduced in July 2010. It wasn’t explained at the federal level where and how to train. Those seeking to obtain the license will be tested by the Police officers as before. Starting this month, the training certificate is mandatory. The school was opened in Nizhny Novgorod region. The «NP» journalists were the only ones who got the chance to be present at the first exam.
Back to school
This May the Federal Ministry of Education approved the requirements for the training program for perspective non-military weapon owners. Over 6 hours the license candidates are told what they are supposed to know from the Law «On Weapons», the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences and are trained to use a gun properly. The theory is learned at the desk, the practice is held in the shooting range followed by the exam. If you passed, you are issued with the certificate on completed training and test on rules of safe use of weapon. On receiving it, you go to the Licensing and Permit department. If the documents are fine, the state duty is paid, the arms license will be issued within the month. Besides, 046-1 medical certificate is required. It can be obtained in a clinic or in other authorized institutions on the basis of medical examination and certificates from psychoneurological and narcological clinics.
The knowledge and skills are tested every 5 years. This is a requirement for all non-military weapon owners. On obtaining the certificate you go to the Police again to have your license extended.
Why does one need a gun?
The «Academy of Security «Berkut» in Nizhny Novgorod was authorized to train the perspective weapon owners and test the present owners in our region.
- I think that the introduction of mandatory training will eliminate random people and those who really need weapon for security and who are serious about it will remain, said the director Natalia Antifeva.
Over fifty men came to the first examination.
A citizen of Nizhny Novgorod, Andrey, says that he decided to become a hunter and already found a gun. Has he fired a gun before? He has. A veteran of Chechnya combat operations.
- I don’t need traumatic weapon - he says. I am a master of sports in boxing. It has come in useful in life many times.
But it is traumatic weapon that many newcomers decided to get. The gun of limited hitting, to be named correctly.
- I own business – some told us. - You know what I mean... Anything can happen.
Gardeners were among those willing to own weapon. They say it will feel more secure having a gun. Some said that the weapon should be «for you just to have it». It is not safe on the streets...
There are two girls in a big male company. Julia is from Gorodets. Why does she need a weapon?
- The thing is - Julia begins cheerfully, - I work in a kindergarten teacher...
- And?
- Oh, it is simple: the salary is small. However sad it is to stop working with the children I have decided to change my occupation. I will deliver pension. At the post office they told me the arms license for weapon is required. So I need it for work. Am I afraid to pass the shooting test? It is not worse than a group of 20 brats! Just kidding, of course...
A petite brunette, Svetlana, decided to own weapon after she was attacked by a criminal. But for the help of a chance passer-by, you never know what the end could be.
Forward march to the targets
There are 10 theory questions at the exam. Two errors and you retake the exam in a week.
Those who passed, go to the shooting range. The rules are strict. You are removed from the exam immediately for any fuss at the shooting range, shooting without command, even pointing the gun accidentally at anyone.
You fire with two types of guns: one is a training shot and the other two are for the test. 5 meters distance to the target is for the hand gun and 10 meters is for the carbine. To past the test you have to hit the target at least once. Frankly speaking, it is hard to miss. The din is terrible. The lucky ones, who hit the bull's-eye, though it is optional, are happy like little children.
The kindergarten teacher Julia has passed the exam. But not everyone was lucky. We were told in the Licensing and Permit Center of the Main Directorate of the MIA in Nizhny Novgorod region which is represented at the examination commission that nearly on third out of 53 people who wished to obtain the arms license for the first time will have to take the examination again.
How much?
3.500 rubles for the six-hour course for the first time weapon owners. 2.500 rubles for the present weapon owners to test their knowledge and skills.
A fine from 10.000 to 50.000 rubles is provided for violation of the issuance of the certificate on completed training.
By the way
Under the new rules, if a person is going to leave for another region having a traumatic gun on him or her, it is required to come to the department of licensing and permit services where the gun is registered to obtain a permit for its transportation. It is valid for two months.
And one more thing. If it was possible to have up to five guns before, the last amendment to the law limited the personal arsenal to up to 2 guns.
Alexei Koshelev, the Deputy Chief of the Licensing and Permit Center of the Main Directorate of the MIA in Nizhny Novgorod region:
- We hope for discipline improvement of the weapon owners with the special training course. So far it leaves much to be desired: there were 4460 violations of arms circulation for the first 9 months. First of all, the violation of the registration and re-registration and the storage rules. There have been more violations than last year. Before they were resolved, 3809 units of arms were seized.
Besides, the hunters lost 20 guns, 8 more were stolen. Also, 16 units of traumatic weapon were lost, five stolen, mostly from cars. And where will these arms shoot next time? In such cases, the negligent owners are often denied the right to own weapon for a period of six months to half a year.
Not everyone fully understands how dangerous a gun is. Two hunters were walking on the opposite sides of the river in Tonshaevsky area. One shot a duck and it fell into the water. He was shooting it off when one shot ricocheted off the water and hit the other hunter. He died on-site. The shooter had to take into account the location of the person and consider the risk. And this is just one of the latest tragedies. Most importantly, I would like to emphasize that alcohol and weapon cannot go along!
Numbers only
The number of traumatic weapon owners in Nizhny Novgorod region this year increased 28 per cent - up to 11,410 people – as compared to the previous year. In total, 104,988 people in the region own different kinds of non-military weapon today.