War With Russia Teaches Ukraine To Value Private Guns

Inevitably, common possession and use of rifles and pistols moved the needle on what Ukrainians expect. According to a 2022 poll, the share of the population supporting recognizing a right to civilian gun ownership increased from 23 percent the previous year to 58 percent. Also in that poll, 90 percent of respondents named “freedom” as a main value for their country.

“Firearm possession appears to be more normalized nowadays in Ukraine,” Hideg commented in the December 2023 Small Arms Survey report. Reasons cited for owning firearms include hunting (53 percent of respondents), defense against criminals (21 percent) and “protection against potential enemies” (14 percent). Potential enemies from a neighboring country? That’s a good guess.

via reason.com