MOSCOW, May 26 (RAPSI) – The State Duma passed a bill toughening punishment for illegal trafficking in weapons and explosives in the first reading on Tuesday, the press service of the parliament’s lower house told RAPSI.

The draft law’s sponsors propose to equate illegal arms trafficking with the Internet use with the crime committed in collusion. 

The initiative envisages imprisonment for up to 15 years with a fine of up to 1 million rubles for illegal trafficking in large caliber firearms.

Moreover, the legislative proposal stipulates imprisonment for up to 4 years for illegal producing and sale of air weapon with the projectile force upwards of 7.5 joules. Currently, such actions are punishable under administrative legislation.