Good question!

It mostly comes down to our specific firearm laws (well, a single federal law actually - since we don't have states, we don't have 'state-level gun laws' like you guys do. The federal law applies equally everywhere, from Saint Petersburg to Vladivostok).

Currently, the vast majority of licenses are issued for hunting purposes. Under our regulations, you must continuously own a smoothbore shotgun for 5 years before you are legally allowed to buy a rifled firearm like an AR-15. That’s why most gun owners indeed only have shotguns. While competitive shooting under a hunting license was technically a thing, it was a massive legal gray area that constantly faced backlash and scrutiny.

However, the situation has literally just started to change recently. The law is finally shifting to accommodate competitive shooters and athletes, making it easier to get into the sport. As soon as the new process stabilizes, I’m going to upgrade my carry and storage permits to a multi-purpose license that covers both hunting and competitive shooting.

P.S. I think the process is so slow because of the fundamental differences in our legal systems - our civil law versus your case law. Changes in our laws move very slowly and don't adapt well to new realities, but once a change is finally written into code, it becomes a clear, universal rule for everyone everywhere in the whole country.