MOSCOW, February 05. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian lawmakers might consider second reading of the bill tightening control over gun ownership later this month, Russian lawmaker Irina Yarovaya said Wednesday.
The parliamentarian reminded that among the authors of the initiative there were many members of her committee. "Many have already forgotten that the initiative was drawn and prepared not in connection with some tragic events, but as an attempt to increase effectiveness and sufficiency of measures to protect public security and citizens' life and health," said Yarovaya.
"The project will be offered for second reading at the next meeting of the committee. It includes all the amendments and suggests tougher responsibility for illegal weapon possession," she went on.
The first reading of the legislation in question was approved last May. The bill bans carrying firearms in a state of alcoholic or narcotic intoxication.
During the discussion of the amendments, the authors, including Yarovaya, acknowledged that high-profile crimes causing public outcry prompted the work on the bill.
A range of measures were proposed to prevent such crimes. Specifically, they called for raising the age of legal firearms possession from 18 to 21. Russian regions would reserve the right to decrease the age level by five years.