Kalashnikov opens store at Moscow's largest airport

[pandm]

What could possibly go wrong?

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Gunmaker Kalashnikov, whose AK-47 assault rifle has armed Russian forces for 70 years and been the preferred weapon of insurgents across continents, has opened a store at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport selling souvenirs including plastic model guns, the company said.

An airport official said the shop, offering novelties including pens, umbrellas, bags, hats, camouflage gear and "I love AK" T-shirts, would be situated in the rail-link section of the airport complex. The model guns - automatic pistols and rifles - would very clearly be imitations and would pose no security problems, he added.

"Kalashnikov is one of the most popular brands that come to mind for most people in the world when they hear about Russia," Kalashnikov's head of marketing, Vladimir Dmitriev, said in a press release.

"So, we are pleased to provide the opportunity for everyone to take away from Russia a souvenir with our company brand."

The AK-47, the first rifle the firm produced, has acquired an iconic status due to its low production costs and reliability in extreme conditions. It was introduced in 1948, armed the whole of the Soviet Union and eastern Europe in communist times and served largely pro-Soviet rebel forces across Africa and Asia.

Produced also under license beyond Russian frontiers, it remains one of the most popular assault rifles in the world.

Sheremetyevo International Airport is Moscow's and Russia's largest airport by passenger traffic. In 2015, it handled more than 31 million passengers.

kalash store.jpg

[LI Ammo]

I would absolutely buy something from that store for the plane ride home. That is BRILLIANT marketing.

[class3]

I would take home the pair of females flanking the door.

[Barnslayer]

I predict no problems. It's Moscow airport, not LaGuardia.

[Destro]

Since it's basically a clothing store using the Kalashnikov brand (they also have a Vodka) and no guns are being sold I don't see "what could go wrong".

Also Kalishnikov is not officially trademarked which is interesting, since Kalashnikov Concern Russia (a new name for the Izhmash factory) couldn't stop the new crappy Kalashnikov USA clones now being sold and marketed here. They admitted they never had an enforceable trademark. Here's the story...

Kalashnikov Concern unable to prevent sales of AKs in U.S.

“The trademark has not been registered within the U.S. and, because of U.S. sanctions on Russia, the trademark registration in the United States is currently impossible. Therefore, the company cannot prevent the sales of Kalashnikov rifles in the U.S.,” said the representative.

http://rbth.com/news/2015/07/13/kala..._us_47717.html

[pandm]

Since it's basically a clothing store using the Kalashnikov brand (they also have a Vodka) and no guns are being sold I don't see "what could go wrong".

Also Kalishnikov is not officially trademarked which is interesting, since Kalashnikov Concern Russia (a new name for the Izhmash factory) couldn't stop the new crappy Kalashnikov USA clones now being sold and marketed here. They admitted they never had an enforceable trademark. Here's the story...

Kalashnikov Concern unable to prevent sales of AKs in U.S.

“The trademark has not been registered within the U.S. and, because of U.S. sanctions on Russia, the trademark registration in the United States is currently impossible. Therefore, the company cannot prevent the sales of Kalashnikov rifles in the U.S.,” said the representative.

http://rbth.com/news/2015/07/13/kala..._us_47717.html

As I understand, they're selling replica AK's.
Ought to be a hoot coming into JFK.

[Mad Russian]

I would take home the pair of females flanking the door.

With the dollar to ruble exchange rate they would set you back about $15.75, tip included...

[Destro]

As I understand, they're selling replica AK's.
Ought to be a hoot coming into JFK.

Yeah possibly.

"The model guns - automatic pistols and rifles - would very clearly be imitations and would pose no security problems, he added."

Though they might not have orange tips on them, who knows. Then again, you could fly in from other US states with some serious replicas in the check in, I suppose. Really not sure what the deal is with that though I see them in my knife catalogs all the time with "won't ship to NY/NJ".