Prior to 2007, all Russian cosmonauts were required to bring a weapon into space Bashny.Net

This was done in order not to fight with aliens. Weapons could be useful in the case of the astronaut landing in enemy territory after returning from space. This relic of the Cold War was abolished in 2007, the year when Russia joined the international treaty to ban the transport of terrestrial weapons anywhere outside of the planet.

In itself, a weapon that fly in space, is quite unusual and is a cross between a pistol, rifle and shotgun. He came with a shovel, and bayonet. The weapon was stored in a metal case between the seats, and could be used only in an emergency.

via factroom.ru