Russian police intend to impose a ban on gun sales around the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, a document posted on the Interior Ministry website said Wednesday.
The draft presidential decree requires only the approval of President Vladimir Putin to become law, and would cover any region where police choose to impose special Olympic security measures, potentially large swathes of Russia.
“The development of this decree project is required by the lack of an alternative to a ban on the sale of arms, ammunition and special weapons in the period from January 7 to April 16, 2014,” the document states.
The term “special weapons” covers items such as stun guns, handcuffs and pepper spray.
Any weapons or ammunition purchased during the period would only be delivered after the ban expires.
The ban would come into force a month before the February 7 opening ceremony and remain in effect nearly two months after the February 23 closing ceremony.
