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Only 17% of Russians want to possess traumatic weapons - poll

They include the residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg aged 18-24

MOSCOW, July 12 (Itar-Tass) - Only 17% of Russians would like to possess traumatic weapons. They include the residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg (20%) aged 18-24. However, 79% of respondents, primarily residents of big cities (84%) and old people (88%) replied that they did not want to possess traumatic arms, according to a survey carried out by VTSIOM, the Russian Public Opinion Research Center.

Forty-eight percent of respondents believe that traumatic weapons do more bad than good to its owner. Most of them are old Russians (59%) or residents of small towns or villages (52%-53%), respectively. Fewer people (15%), predominately those aged 18%-24% (26%) hold the opposite position.

Every fourth respondent believes that traumatic weapons was neither useful nor harmful (25%).

The poll was conducted on April 6-7 this year. It covered a sample of 1,600 people in 130 populated localities in 42 regions and territories of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.

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