Scottish Labour in league with the Scottish National Party

[shotgun sam]

I contacted all my MSP’s about the airgun consultation I have received a reply from one of the Labour MSP’s on all of their behalf’s. Scottish Labour supports the motion for airgun control in Scotland.

Also attached to the e-mail was a copy of a letter sent to the Labour MSP from the minister for injustice as another of her constituents had enquired about it.

The minister for injustice’s letter dated the 16^th August 2013 states that the consultation had attracted over 1000 responses I am sure that the number was way above that level on that day either that or they are using seasonally adjusted figures (fudged). That would be an interesting one for the press to follow up.

The minister for injustice also states “The consultation was a valuable exercise in highlighting issues and drawing out concerns around the high –level proposals set out in the paper.

However this was not a consultation about the principle of air weapon licensing. I have been clear from the outset that licensing will happen. This is in line with the commitment made in the 2011 SNP election manifesto, which is referred to in the paragraph one of the consultation paper.”

[vulpicide]

There were 21,000 signatures on the petition against the bill 87% were against licensing I was through giving evidence today with the petitioner the SNP are determined that its going through.

[lxtav]

I to sent several letters to the local MSPs regarding this and got the same letter that you did. It is quite clearly a pro forma response letter as I have two exactly the same from MacAskill from different MSPs with the only difference being the MSPs name which is hand written no doubt by a researcher or some other gopher in the office. I fail to see the point of the consultation as no matter what was said it was going to happen and happen as they see it.

 

I know it won't affect me as I own enough ground to use an air rifle (as I do just now for the rabbits) and have just had my interview for my FAC with no issues being allowed a FAC air for the same ground so a sub 12ft/lb will not be an issue. But that's not the point they are just making something that isn't a problem a problem to look good.

 

Another interesting paragraph in the letter was this

 

However, while good progress has been made, there is no reason to be complacent. The actual number of offences may be higher - airgun crime is frequently under reported with many incidents of vandalism, antisocial behaviour or wildlife crime not reflected in the official police statistics. Licensing airguns will allow police to take these potentially lethal weapons out of the hands of those who misuse them. Anyone with a genuine reason to shoot, and who is able to do so without risk to the public, should be able to obtain a licence from the police with minimal disruption.

 

Several points raised in this paragraph alone.

 

1. Most crime is under reported either by the public or the police/government massaging the figures.

2. If you are a halfwit who misuses airguns the laws are already there to take the guns from them.

3. Should be able to obtain a licence - wonder what that means?

 

Just have to wait and see what the damage is when the actual bill is published but it will no doubt be ill thought out, unworkable (as everyone is telling them) and overly expensive like most other government plans.

[shotgun sam]

That is the same letter sums up our political masters one size fits all .

The minister for injustices office cannot even get the right figures out to the other msps

Bodes well for the future (msps required 1/2 a brain required anymore than that need not apply)

[countryman]

So in a nut shell it does not matter how many people petitioned this, they will do what they want.

Chris

[vulpicide]

Yeah democracy

[Kes]

When Scots vote for Independence you can bet that the SNP/Labour will take it as a mandate to be as Scottish as they like. You aint seen nothin yet for the shooting community.

[vulpicide]

Yes but if Mad Dog Macaskill thinks he can ignore an 87% majority against licensing and not have this used by every body as to what demoracy looks like after indepedance he is very sadly mistaken. I was a leading opponent fighting against the Watson bill pre 2002 and we still have all the mechanisms in place to show this eejit what serious lobbying really means.

[garden gun]

The trouble is that your lot have decided that air gun crime is "something they can do something about". Genie out of bottle - pre-licence air weapons are out there and your Neds (Chavs to us in the south) will be able to get hold of loads. Same as Bliar and hunting with dogs. Acquiantance was invited to a meeting at Chequers and got to speak with the "man" himself. Gist of it was "I ahve got to give my Townie backbenchers something - you lot are it. personnaly do not give a rats either way." Plus ca change.