ties with power players like the deputy head of russia s central bank, a former senator and putin ally. you consider him a friend? absolutely. senator torson is a gun enthusiast and a big proponent of the right to bear arms. reporter: that s why for the first time this year, when american gun lovers went to russia to compete in a shooting match, torson was right there, sharing a table with team russia at the medal ceremony. he s a regular at n prrks a meetings, tweeting pictures with the former nra president. they were introduced by klein preston. other christian conservatives are having the same change of heart, inviting a delegation from the russian orthodox church to the first ever christian persecution summit this spring, organized by another putin fan,