Currently, weapons have become something quite usual and ordinary in the hands of Ukrainians. However, just last year, none of the people now buying rifles and shotguns could have imagined they would have firearms in their homes. Now they are all in support of the gun trade and the use of weapons for legal self-defense.
Ukraine is the only country in Europe with no law regulation for civilian firearm ownership. During the entire period of independence, the government of Ukraine tried to propose more than a dozen laws, but none of these were accepted. It is strictly prohibited to buy and bear arms for self-defense. Even “traumatic” (non-lethal) weapons are only available to limited individuals, like judges and national deputies. The only way to own a firearm legally is to purchase a rifle or a shotgun for hunting. It is absolutely legal to purchase any modifications of non-automatic army weapons (such as AK or M16), but owning a handgun is prohibited by the law. Even though these guns are the most suitable for self-defense.
In 2014, during the tragic events in Ukraine (Euromaidan, the Crimea annexation, the War in Donbass), sales of hunting weapons increased several times over. This happened because people could not trust and rely on a government that did nothing to protect the rights and freedom of citizens. According to official statistics, by the end of 2014 there were already 558,033 registered owners of rifles and shotguns. By March 2016, the number of weapon owners increased to 888,047.
Nowadays, shotguns are in high demand. Future owners of firearms have to learn how to handle them safely. Quite often, they also learn how to take part in military actions, in many cases as part of a small mobile team. Russia’s hidden aggression towards Ukraine makes the prospect of the military conflict expanding from the east of the country to the central regions quite realistic, and acts as motivation for Ukrainians to be prepared for a future war. However, the main reason for wanting firearms to be legalised is not to convert civilians to the army, but to protect one’s family and belongings. It seems like a firearm is a modern version of the amulet, giving its owner extra power. Not everyone is comfortable pointing it at an aggressor and shooting, but everyone feels safer having one.
“I have encountered myself with weapons first in 1986. Since then it has become my hobby and part of my job. We live in the country house and my neighbors have been always aware that I keep something at home. Just two years ago they were making some fun out of it, now they are getting their own arms and asking for my advice. There is no theft in our village any more. I had to take out weapon twice already for self-defense, but luckily didn’t have to shoot anyone. Police? I don’t have trust in them.” Sergey, 43 years old, administrator, posing in his house in with rifle, which he bought in 2012. Kiylov, Ukraine, 24 November 2015. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“I think it’s a norm when an apartment is protected, there is a lock on the door and you have a shotgun for self-defense. We can say that now I trust the new police. But as an instructor I teach people how to provide the first aid to themselves and in the case of injury to apply tourniquet and stop the bleeding. And only after that call a doctor. Same in case with the police – first you must to protect yourself if you can, calling the police is the second step. In theory I can use arms of weapons for self-defense. But most likely I will get in jail for that. In the law on arms of weapons the topics on legal use are the most important for me.” Anastasia, 22 years old, combat lifesaver instructor, posing in her apartment with shotgun, which she bought in November 2015. Kiev, Ukraine, 29 November 2015. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“The man should be able to do many things by himself. In particular, protect his family. I am ready to use a weapon for protection of my own house. The first two rounds in the shotgun are traumatic, the next are shots and then the buckshot. Only the last two are bullets.” Roman, 37 years old, painter, posing in his house with shotgun, which he bought in June 2014 to protect his family. Kiev, Ukraine, 25 October 2014. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“Before Maidan I’ve never thought about taking a weapon in my hand. No one among my friends could imagine they’d have to combat Special Forces soldiers as well. It turned out that everything is possible. You do not think about yourself and your enemy during a fight. You think about your friends that you can lose. When you defend your life it does not matter much if it’s a rifle or simply a stick in your hand. I’ve made decision on getting myself a weapon after Crimea was annexed. My rifle is from 1934 and was kept at some warehouse for about 80 years. It’s somehow quite a scary feeling to know that somewhere there is a rifle made for you.” Peter, 28 years old, interpreter, posing in his apartment with rifle, which he bought in May 2014. Kiev, Ukraine, 22 November 2015. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“I think everyone has the right for protection of himself, family and belongings. But every owner should perfectly master his weapon, security rules and clearly understand when to use it. Especially when there’s a shotgun in your hands.” Elena, 37 years old, marketing expert , posing in her house in Gorenichy village with shotgun, which she bought in 2014 to protect her family. Gorenichy village, Ukraine, 14 July 2015. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“Weapons have been present in my live for a long time. I’m keen on airsoft and military-historical reconstruction. There are many copies of the real firearms in my collections. The rifle I keep in my arms was bought in 2012. Weapons is a kind of recreation for me – target shooting in a gun club helps well for stress relieve. But I think that firearm must be present at home. At least for complacency. It’s good we have cops, but they can’t always be behind you.”
Maxim, 28 years old, company director, posing in his apartment in Kiev with rifle, which he bought in 2012. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“For almost 2 years I’ve been carrying with me a traumatic gun for self-defense purpose. Once there was a situation when I was really close to use it. However if I had to – I would most probably end up in jail because of the law we have got. Since that time I’ve stopped taking my gun outside. It makes no sense to carry a gun for self-defense unless you can really use it.”
Igor, 34 years old, games developer, in his apartment in Kiev with rifle, which he bought in 2009. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“The presence of firearm in the house is the assurance of security. That’s why as a head of family I must to establish security for all family members. In the event of threat even a good police will come no sooner than in 5 minutes. Weapons is a guaranty that I can at least to protect myself before the police comes. I’ve bought the firearm when the military aggression from Russia Federation begun. If hostilities come to my town, I won’t be able to stay aside.” Dmitry, 33 years old, chemical engineer, posing in his apartment with rifle, which he bought in 2014. Brovary, Ukraine, 22 November 2015. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“The gun was bought during the Orange revolution. That was a tumultuous time such as now. With a gun I feel reassured when I am going for a walk with my child and in particular if my husband is not around. Fortunately, I never had to use the gun.” Tatyana, 39 years old, police officer, posing in her apartment with traumatic gun, which she bought in 2003 to protect her child. Kiev, Ukraine, 21 January 2015. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“I’m from Donetsk. In spring 2014 it became clear that without weapons it will be hard. A week after i bought a rifle, the house where I stayed with my friends was attacked by armed people. I had to shoot. Probably, it saved our lives.” Alexey, 29 years old, businessman, posing in his apartment with rifle which he bought in April 2014 in Donetsk. Brovary, Ukraine, 1 February 2015. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“Every man should learn at least how to drive a car and how to shoot a gun. You’ve got to learn shooting so you can stop a criminal when he attacks. There’s no need to kill, but you have to stop him. I do not think much about staying safe for myself – but I really do care for security of my four kids and my wife.” Lubomyr, 42 years old, financial expert, and his family posing in his apartment in Kiev with rifle, which he bought in 2014 to protect his family. Kiev, Ukraine 3 July 2015. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
“Weapons opponents treat me as potentially dangerous. But real danger comes when criminals possess illegal weapons. Weapons mean protection for me. I know my husband and my kid need me, and so I have the right to defend my life. Many people think that if law is passed on, handguns would be sold like hot cakes at every corner. But it would never be like this. One needs to get through all the paperwork, checks, receive license and training first. Only then you might become the weapon owner.” Tatyana, 37 years old, homemaker, posing in her house in Kylov village with rifle, which she bought in 2014. Kyilov village, Ukraine, 24 November 2015. Photo by Andriy Lomakin
Andriy Lomakin (1974) is a Ukrainian photographer based in Kiev. From 2008 to 2014 he worked as staff photographer at Tyzhden magazine (Ukraine). Since 2014, he is working on personal documentary and art projects as a freelance photographer. His work will be exhibited at Odessa/Batumi Photo Days festival that opens this Wednesday in Odessa, Ukraine.
