The next gun ban?
The right to ban air rifles in Scotland is expected to be handed to the Scottish government. Firearms legislation is usually handled in Westminster but in a recent review on devolution, Sir Kenneth Calman recommends its transfer to the government authorities in Holyrood. The SNP has long argued that Scotland needs to ban air rifles after a number of high profile cases of shootings following guns falling into the wrong hands.
· Details of the deal are in the UK government's white paper responding to the Calman Commission that is to be published soon.
· UK legislation of airguns has been tightened so that the minimum age to own an airgun is now 18, mail orders have been banned and all retailers must be registered.
· It is unlikely that the new legislation will become law before the General Election due to be held next year.
Anyone with an interest in shooting sports should be aware that the Labour government have pledged to hand new powers to the Scottish Parliament which will result in a ban on airgun ownership in Scotland. As with the 1997 handgun ban, this will do nothing to curb gun crime; it will merely deprive legitimate users of their guns and their hobby. The following petition...
The Calman Report recommends that The Scottish Parliament should be handed control of airgun legislation in Scotland. The Scottish Parliament will undoubtedly use this power to place a ban on unlicensed airguns in Scotland. This measure harms the legitimate sporting shooter and fails to address the real problem; that caused by unlawful use of airguns. Criminal use of airguns by its nature cannot be legislated against by removing airguns from those who abide by the law.
We believe that this ban will have an adverse effect on legitimate sporting shooting, and will provide no deterrent to those who misuse airguns. The Labour Party's own 'Charter for Shooting' (2005) recognises there is no connection between legitimate sporting shooting and gun crime. Airgun crime in Scotland has fallen according to the Gun Control Network's statistics from 1005 offences 15 years ago to 567 last year.
This new legislation would erode the civil liberties of sporting shooters in Scotland and fail to remove airguns from the hands of criminals.
We therefore petition you to refuse devolved power for Airgun legislation in Scotland.
...is running on the No.10 website
Comments
Makes me ever more glad I fled the festering pool of left-wing crap that is what was once Great Britain.
Over this side, we've got bill C-301 in action, which could very soon mean no registration necessary of long-arms.
A step down the ladder for the UK, a step up for Canada.
The times they are a-changin'.
Posted by: Conrad | November 24, 2009 10:39 PM
And the emasculation of a once-proud people advances further....
Posted by: MauserMedic | November 25, 2009 3:53 AM
this is fucking madness when will people learn that banning the gun does not work it just deprives the people who have a intrest i personally blame commies and hippy greens they should be hung
Posted by: brad | November 25, 2009 5:21 AM
Considering that places in the US ban toys that CANNOT SHOOT A PROJECTILE OF ANY SORT because they look "too much like real guns" (I will admit there have been tragedies of police shooting people brandishing these things...in my opinion anyone stupid enough not to throw a toy down when confronted by agitated people with real firearms deserves removal from the gene pool)unless they are in fun colors such as pink, this sort is stupidity is not confined to the UK and is a lot closer to home than you might think.
http://krmg.com/localnews/2009/05/edmond-toy-gun-ban-takes-effec.html
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=5472003
http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=2957
Col Beausaber (who had a toy M1919A4 MG and 60mm M2 mortar as a child - outgunning the rest of the neighborhood - and apparently giving liberals the vapors)
Posted by: beausaber | November 25, 2009 6:26 AM
A number of "high profile cases"?
You mean Mrs McTavish from Number 47 has been complaining yet again about those nasty MacGregor boys from Number 38 shooting her Wee Jock in the bum with a BB gun?
Yeah, I can really see that being valid grounds for a nationwide ban.
Posted by: The Remittance Man | November 25, 2009 7:49 AM
This is surely coming, as are serial numbers and registration of airguns. Anyone with an interest in airguns should get theirs now, and make sure it's one without a serial number.
Posted by: Denis | November 25, 2009 10:23 AM
This coming on top of the anti-tamper initiative being proposed by the AMTA is yet another blow to the entry point into the sport for many.
Posted by: Simon | November 25, 2009 11:09 AM
At this rate even traditional archery will soon be a thing of the past.
Posted by: everthewatcher | November 25, 2009 11:33 AM
Aren't crossbows already banned in the UK?
Posted by: Kim du Toit | November 25, 2009 2:32 PM
Not to the best of my knowledge - I think you can buy them over the counter if you are over 18
Posted by: Mr Free Market | November 25, 2009 3:59 PM
Not yet.
Posted by: everthewatcher | November 25, 2009 6:29 PM
Oh, well, then this latest nonsense is because of the recent rash of "assault air-rifle" shootings that has plagued Scotland.
Or maybe the Jocks are just falling-down drunk (not an unknown condition for them) and thought they were banning "arfels" -- they don't know what those are, but they sound vaguely Sassenach.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | November 25, 2009 6:54 PM
Tell me Kim, what is it that has made you an anti Scottish bigot? Did you get your feelings hurt by a Bonnie Lass,did some of those Scottish thugs make you crap your cowardly French pants when you visited
Scotland?
You know Kim,I don't understand you.Remember on your Website,when you said"I'll defend Jews,& stand up against anyone who attacks them"? Well that's very noble of you,so I don't know why you engage in such hypocrisy? Why do you think you have free license to attack the Scottish without repercussions? Well Kim, I'm of Scottish Blood.
And I've read on many occasion your dislike for the Scottish. Well Kim, It's one thing for People of U.K. Blood to take the piss out each other,when a French coward, such as you does this repeatedly...Then I have to get involved,alright Kim. So I guess you and I should meet and you can insult the Scottish People,(Me,my Ancestors.) To my face,and we'll see how long you maintain an airway? What do you say Kim,you up for it?
Posted by: Larry Graham | November 27, 2009 8:05 AM
Mind yer manners Larry. It's considered racist to dis an African-American over here.
Posted by: Billll | November 27, 2009 11:37 PM
Crikey, no-one make any deep fried Mars bar jokes.
Posted by: Rob | November 30, 2009 2:53 PM
i just think its really unfair!
Posted by: martin | December 4, 2009 4:32 AM
Its not the air rifle that kills tots and pets its a maniac thats handling it.Regards L.J.
Posted by: Lord James Campbell.KtGC.OBE. | December 12, 2009 7:37 PM
I do not think for one minute that the goverment will change the law on air guns.
me/us/we competent gun handlers/shooters outweigh the stupid little minded minority who go around shooting at the genral public and animals.
P.S.How will all the FARMERS cope with no one controling the vermin for them?
Posted by: S.Phillips | December 20, 2009 8:11 PM