In wake of Russia’s invasion of free and sovereign Ukraine, freedom-loving and patriotic Ukrainians are taking up arms to defend their homeland.
Stephen Gutowksi of The Reload noted on February 23rd how the Eastern European nation relaxed strict gun control laws in wake of Russian invasion.
“The country’s parliament voted on Wednesday to advance a bill expanding civilian gun ownership. 274 of the country’s 450 elected representatives voted for the bill, according to local media outlet Ukrinform. The bill would formalize the country’s gun laws, allow more civilians to own and carry guns, and allow them to be used for self-defense in more places,” he wrote.
Gutowski added:
Decades of strict gun laws have limited the number of guns in civilian hands, though. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, which currently oversees civilian gun ownership, told Ukrinform in 2021 there were only about 1.3 million civilian-owned guns in the country of 43 million (by contrast, American civilians own more than 400 million guns with a population of 330 million). And, even if many Ukrainians do resist the invasion by force, it’s unclear how effective they could be as a cohesive fighting force.
After the United States reportedly offered to evacuate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his country, the former “Servant of the People” star responded like this: “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride.”
As a result, American firearms and ammunition manufacturers heard the call and are helping to arm Ukraine.
Marc Vayn, a founder of the Doral, FL-based ATN Corp, was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and implored customers to help them support his ancestral homeland.
“My name is Marc Vayn and I am the Founder of ATN. This is my first time writing for help from our friends and customers but I believe the urgency of today's situation calls for it,” he wrote on his company website. “Although I grew up in the US and am an American first, I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and our company also has an office in Odessa, Ukraine.”
The company’s letter added, “Now however, we are focused on bringing desperately needed supplies in to help Ukrainians fight. There are so many who have volunteered and are ready to fight to the end it makes your heart weep. Many have nothing more than a rifle with a few bullets. We want to help and fortunately we can do this NOW!!!! We have staff on the ground near the border and in Bulgaria and are able to bring shipments in quickly through the Ukrainian borders where they are met by volunteers to drive the goods into the fighting zones. We are donating our own money and are reaching out to our friends and community for help. And for the first time we are asking you, our customers, to do what you can. Our politicians talk a lot but in the end no one is helping Ukraine but Ukrainians!!! A lot of hot air being pushed around by political windbags will do very little.”
Remington, CCI, Speer and Federal Ammunition will also collectively donate “one-million rounds of ammo to the Ukraine Armed Forces.”
North Carolina-based ZRO Delta posted on Instagram, “President Zelensky said he wants ammunition, not a ride. Well, it’s a good thing we’re not Uber.”
“ZRODelta is proud to be the ONLY manufacturer of 12.7x108 ammunition in the Western Hemisphere, and even more proud to be fueling the Ukrainian Defense with vital 12.7 heavy machine gun ammunition. ZRODelta has always been an advocate of freedom and will continue to do so by supporting the Ukrainian’s fight for freedom,” the company added. “As many of you may know, Ukraine had not been integrated into NATO by the time of the Russian invasion. Because of this, a majority of their weapon systems are of Russian origin and design. ZRODelta is the only manufacturer of the 12.7x108 in the West, and we will use our manufacturing capacity to support Ukraine’s heavy weapon systems with vital ammunition. “Slava Ukraine!””
Despite being an oft-maligned industry, the good folks operating firearms and ammunition companies are honorable and supporting the good guys. They should be applauded. And even anti-gunners are taking notice and conceding here.
What’s transpiring in Ukraine should concern Americans in two ways. One, Russia is the aggressor here; therefore, Ukrainians have a right to defend themselves against these invaders. Two, the Second Amendment ain’t about deer hunting; it’s about self-preservation.
We grasp this concept here. Perhaps the rest of the world will realize why we hold gun rights so dear in the U.S.
Slava Ukraini! (Glory to Ukraine!) And Molon Labe.