Gun control in contemporary Ukraine: control over the means of force in a conflict society

• In Event: POL Panel 23. The impact and experiences of use of force and the promise of control mechanisms

Abstract

Like other post-Soviet states, Ukraine inherited from the USSR a tradition of strict regulation of civilian possession of firearms. While long guns were permitted for hunting and recreation, short-barreled guns were basically prohibited. Before the full-scale Russian invasion of 2022, proposals for liberalization of this policy met with strong resistance from the Ministry of Interior and other government bodies and found little support with the public. In contrast, since the full-scale invasion, the government of Ukraine has moved toward legal ownership of more categories of firearms. Building on the co-authors' earlier research in other post-Soviet countries, the paper analyzes the sources of stability and evolution in Ukraine's gun control policy. It also presents original public opinion data that suggest the Ukrainian population has developed a more positive attitude toward the role of weapons in civilian society, while not endorsing total deregulation or vigilantism. The paper contributes to understanding of debates about control over force and the means of force in conflict societies, and the extent to which laws and public opinion in relation to gun control evolve as a result of major political shocks.

Authors

• Matthew Light, University of Toronto

• Anne-Marie Singh, Toronto Metropolitan University

• Aaron Erlich, McGill University