Russia: FSB raid smashes major underground gun-running ring
The Russian Federal Security (FSB) and Interior Ministry coordinated a joint special operation that seized more than 100 firearms, 35 kilograms of explosives, 20 explosive devices and over 10,000 rounds of ammunition on Tuesday in the Tver region.
The FSB Public Relations Center announced the operation's success on Tuesday, noting that the weapons seized in St. Petersburg, in Tver, Smolensk, Pskov and Novgorod regions lead to the detention of an organised criminal group. The pan-regional criminal network illegally produced and transported lethal arms to the northwestern federal districts and was involved in a series of crimes.
Arms trafficking is a significant problem in Russia, with many weapons issued to Soviet soldiers finding their way into private hands after the breakup of the USSR and the Soviet Army. According to a 2009 investigation by Novaya Gazeta, there are around 170,000 pistols and automatic weapons now in private hands illegally.
The right to legally carry arms also remains controversial in Russia and possession is subject to licensing regulations. The issue hit the news after a Belgorod resident opened fire in a gun shop in the centre of town, killing six civilians on April 22. President Vladimir Putin has expressed opposition to liberalising ownership laws, citing the large number of guns in circulation among the Russian population.
