Lithuanian Riflemen's Union

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Lithuanian Riflemen's Union (Lithuanian: Lietuvos Šaulių Sąjunga) is a paramilitary organisation. It was at its most powerful after World War I and before World War II, when it was prestigious and seen as a defender of the nation: if Lithuania was occupied, it would stage guerrilla warfare. After Russia occupied Lithuania, however, the Russians quickly dissolved the organisation, and many members were arrested and sentenced to death. After Lithuania redeclared independence in 1990, the organization was recreated, but it is not influential now. A branch called Young Riflemen is a paramilitary organisation for children, similar to Boy Scouts. It is not very popular now. Current membership of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union is 7,000; in the interwar period it was 61,000. Sixty-one percent of members are Young Riflemen (12-18 years old), 8% are Active Riflemen (people who formerly were in army, 18-45 years old) and the remaining 31% are Inactive Riflemen (people who for some reason are not active).