Major, Sir, I'm afraid you're not get any definite answer from me or any other Russian
Because, it's all too complex... you gain in one thing, lose in another, get more bullet weight but less velocity, or more recoil. So to speak.
Again, there were communist years and communist years.
If we compare 2008 and 1988, I'd say a hunter is MUCH better off now (at least we can buy rifles!). Yet, if we compare 1988 and 1958 - it's just possible that a hunter was better off then (free sales of shotguns, and a chance to buy a rifle too).
Thу above comparecion is based on gun control issues alone. But - if you figure in issues like purchasing potential (money), and (especially) availiability of weapons - the NOW looks much better.
And if you add up all aspects of living - well, I can only speak for myself:
I'd rather live under Yeltsin's anarchic "freedom" then under Putin's USSR-odored "stability". But I'd take Putin over any Communist leader of the past.
