Lithuanian shooters – dry

Dainor and Vilius were brought to the shooting range – to be prepared for the day X.

« The geopolitical situation-one thing, the other-all the time I wanted to somehow contribute to civic resistance. In fact, that skill can be very useful for a while, » said Dainora Saulėnaitė-Štarienė, a shooting training participant.

« Just because of self -protection … Because of its instinct, when you feel it is not known when, what and how, » said another participant of shooting training Vilius Vilkas.

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After completing the training, Dainora and Vilius hope to pass the exam and purchase a personal weapon.

« If the situation in Lithuania would change dramatically and significantly, you will feel stronger – at least to defend your family and the like, » – said V. Vilkas.

Lithuanians learned to shoot firing as soon as war in Ukraine began. Later, the queues at the shooters have declined slightly, but now they are again dry.

« During the first quarter of this year, about 30 percent more people were approached by permits to purchase a weapon than last year, » observed Vytautas Labeckas, CEO of Excommissar Bureau.

The organizers of the training point out that the number of those who wish also increased due to the unpredictable politics of the United States (USA) President Donald Trump and so far unsuccessful peace negotiations.

« We had about 10 to 15 customers in one city a month, and now we are building several groups a month. For high quality training, the group consists of a maximum of 25 people. Especially recently – almost half of the group women, half of the group guys, » said Linas Ubartas, Defense leader.

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Poles introduced compulsory military training in schools in the country – even children learn to shoot. Thus, the voluntary desire of Lithuanians to acquire basic knowledge, according to politicians, is welcome.

« Close to a weapon, a closer relationship between citizen and weapon, in defense of his property, his family is important. He is raising will to defend his country, » said former National Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas.

Since autumn, Lithuanian ninth graders strengthen the Riflemen’s Union. Politicians hope that the training will only increase.

« It should be the duty of every citizen to learn how to control a weapon. We must achieve that at some point, from schools to the military, the society as a whole can use a weapon or another crisis, » explained Giedrimas Jeglinskas, chairman of the National Security and Defense Committee.

The population that has a registered weapon is increasing every year, with nearly 100,000 currently there.

After graduation, people usually acquire category B weapons – pistols, revolvers.

« They are powerful enough. If we are talking about pistols, their energy is about 500 joules, and some long -legged rifles are about 2000 joules, » Ubart explained.

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Fun training acquires basic knowledge.

« He learns about the structure of the weapon, knows how to collect, collect, shoot, but much of the training is also related to the rules – where the weapon can be used, where it is not possible, how to store it, » said Labeckas.

However, this is not enough. According to specialists, it is necessary to constantly practice. Only that the shooters are missing, and depending on the geopolitical situation, their need will grow even further.

« If the funds come to defense – the EU Fund is EUR 800 billion, plus the EUR 150 million to the defense industry – and we will commit to finding them, I think the issue of shooters will be resolved, » said Dainius Gaižauskas, a member of the National Security and Defense Committee.

Ž. Photo by Gedvila / ELTA

Former Minister of National Defense L. Kasčiūnas says that shooting courses are not enough if they want to contribute directly to the country’s defense. He calls for the connection to the commandants and other defense structures.

« We have about 60-70,000 hunters, but the question is how many of them are in commandants where their actions are coordinated? You know where and how to have a weapon in the state’s defense – by performing back functions, protecting bridges, fighting diversions, » he believes.

According to the police, more weapons in the country also pose risks. It is important to make sure that the weapons do not get into the wrong hands.

« The more weapons the inhabitants have at home, the greater the influence on domestic security. Various quarrels, barns, and cases of violence in which firearms can also be used, » said Ramūnas Matonis, a spokesman for the Police Department.

However, the most common disasters happen when a weapon is illegal at home.