As world leaders flexed their muscles at each other, real people in Ukraine sat terrified at the impending invasion. Although the people of Ukraine are allowed to own firearms, they did not have the right to carry them. However, as the Ukrainian government realized that invasion was imminent, they approved a draft law easing the restrictions.
Ukraine Government Grants Citizens Right to Carry
According to a story on NDTV.com, Ukraine’s parliament voted Wednesday to approve a first reading of a draft law. The law would give permission to Ukrainians to carry firearms and act in self-defense.
“The adoption of this law is fully in the interests of the state and society,” the authors of the draft law said in a note, adding that the law was needed due to “existing threats and dangers for the citizens of Ukraine.”
Although firearms are legal in Ukraine, according to a story on Breitbart, “Ukraine’s gun laws have been strictly enforced and poorly written until now, with the net effect of convincing most Ukrainians that private gun ownership was not worth the effort, even though much of the public receives firearms training at school. Buying guns was not terribly difficult, but carrying them outside of the home was largely forbidden.”
It would appear, the campaign to convince citizens that private gun ownership was not worth the effort has been successful. According to a report on GunPolicy.org, private firearm ownership in the Ukraine ranges from 2.2 to 6.3 million people. Although that may sound like a lot, it comes out to only 6.6 to 13 firearms per 100 people. They are 84th in the world for civilian firearms per capita.
With the new law in effect Ukrainians are not only allowed to carry firearms for protection but are encouraged. And now, as more and more Ukrainian’s are arming themselves, they are trying to play catch up with training.
Civilian Forces
As invasion became inevitable, the Ukrainian government declared a 30-day state of emergency. Likewise, they are conscripting military reservists between the ages of 18 and 60. The move is adding nearly 200,000 troops to the country’s defense.
In a National Review story, “Zelensky said in a televised speech that there was no need for a ‘general mobilization’ of civilians, however ‘we need to promptly replenish the Ukrainian army and other military formations.’
“’As the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, I issued a decree on the conscription of reservists during a special period,’ Zelensky said. ‘We must increase the readiness of the Ukrainian army for all possible changes in the operational situation.’”
As for anyone ready to defend Ukraine, the government is issuing weapons. Early this morning President Zelensky tweeted:
Likewise, according to a separate Breitbart report, ‘Ukraine’s defence minister Oleksii Reznikov gave clear instructions for how citizens could get involved, saying the state had ‘simplified all procedures’ and that volunteers need only take their passport. In return, he said: ‘We give weapons to all patriots who are without hesitation ready to use them against the enemy!’.”
A Dire Warning
What we are watching unfold in the Ukraine should be a warning to all of us, especially here in America. Protecting our God given right to firearm ownership and self-defense is an absolute must. Not to mention practicing with our firearm of choice. When the enemy is at your door is not the time to prepare.
As Marshal Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto once said, “You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass.”
This is a lesson we must not forget, or we might find ourselves in a situation similar to Ukraine. Trying to play catch up at the 11th hour is counterproductive.
Si Vis Pacem, Parabellum. If you want peace, prepare for war.
