Moscow (AFP) – Russia’s biggest international airport on Friday expressed concern after gunmaker Kalashnikov opened a store there selling lifesize replica rifles.
The Kalashnikov Concern, producer of the ubiquitous AK-47 rifle, earlier this week launched a store at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow.
“You can buy company souvenirs, clothing, bags and other useful items,” the company said in a statement.
“Our sales cases will also feature replicas of firearms which can be bought as a souvenir by anyone of full legal age.”
In video footage from the store’s opening, located in one of Sheremetyevo’s terminals, various rifle models were clearly on display.
Most firearms are illegal to own in Russia, and airports in the country have some of Europe’s strictest security measures, following a 2011 suicide bombing at the Domodedovo airport which left 37 dead.
A spokeswoman for Sheremetyevo told AFP the store’s selection of replicas was a concern.
“This issue is seriously important,” spokeswoman Anna Zakharova said in an email to AFP.
“The situation is being monitored by our aviation security service,” she said adding that if “issues of permanent conflict” arose from the store, the airport might “make recommendations” regarding their merchandise.
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