njc110381 Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Just been reading in the BASC mag that there are calls to ban air rifles in scotland! It's after someone was killed by a junkie who was shooting at people from his flat or something. I really hope this isn't going to be a repeat of the dunblane handgun ban, surely the government will have learned something from that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Just playing devils advocate here, but what exactly has the government learned from the handgun ban? They have learned they can play fast and loose with our liberty at will, is about the only thing I can think of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 A ban of airguns? Will the government "buy back" the millions of airguns in circulation - Buy-back is often used, they can't buy back something that was never theirs in the first place? Incase you don't believe it: http://www.basc.org.uk/content/sheridan_misses_the_point http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=52...p;id=1877652006 I like that comment on the Scotsman website. "They should ban chip-pans: they are a bigger risk" Tommy Sheridan is a socialist. Socialism would hand most private assets to state control and give more power to the authorities, when you take that into consideration then it is likely this is just a passing fad. If labour take on the idea then we have to start worrying - with the precedence of stealing policies from the Tories. Its just before election time as well so this is a time when these sort of things are considered for a last ditch effort for voting support. I have more concerns about an SNP win when it comes to firearms controls. When I asked them on their policies on firearms the response they gave me was this: The SNP would like to see the Scottish Parliament with power over firearms,and a new Firearms Act introduced that would clarify what constitutes a firearm as well as those who may have them and for what purposes. So they are hinting that they may reconsider that air guns should be licensed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 I was told by a local in a bar in Scotland last week, they are thinking of banning livebaiting for fishing as well? is that true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Not wanting to derail the thread, take a look at this: http://news.scotsman.com/scitech.cfm?id=41382007 Live baiting will be banned if it isn't already so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Thanks for that. I agree with not introducing alien specis that makes sense, but banning the method for course/game anglers is completely wrong. Sorry about the thread - back to the original subject... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr smith Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Contacted my MSP (snp) about this as in the past the SNP have talked along these lines here is the reply.. Shona Robison MSP has asked me to get back to you in regard to your > email of 10th January with the following statement. > > "This is a private member's bill that has been introduced by Tommy > Sheridan of the Solidarity Party (breakaway from the Scottish > Socialist Party). I am a member of the Scottish National Party and we > feel that this is simply political posturing by Mr Sheridan as this > bill cannot get through this parliament which is due to end about a > month before the election on 3rd May. Taking it beyond that would > require Mr Sheridan to be re-elected - something that cannot be taken > for granted. > > As this is a bill that is unlikely to see the light of day the SNP > have not discussed it and taken a stance on it. I feel that what he > is suggesting is impractical and that we need to address more pressing > issues relating to the growth of incidents involving the drug trade > and real firearms which is an issue not devolved but reserved to > Westminster. In Independent Parliament would have these powers. SNP Policy on air guns is that we would like to see them licensed. Those who have a bonafide reason for having an airgun such as sport shooters, gamekeepers etc would get a licence to hold one. In this way we hope to reduce the number of airguns in the community many of which are being used irresponsibly." > > Anya Lawrence > Assistant to Shona Robison MSP This has also been talked about on airgunBBS and many have contacted Tommy Sheridan and their own MSP on this matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatingisbest Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 cars kill more people then guns just because some people use them inappropriately it shouldnt mean that everyone has to suffer How are they going to ban all airguns though? they can ban the sale of them but that would have very little effect, surely those who want them for illegal activity would have bought them by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elliot Brown Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 everything is just getting too politically correct in this day and age you cant say or do anything I mean everyone’s herd the whole big brother nonsense (not wanting to start a row or anything here) but there’s been uproar abut that. And the lady on there hasn’t even been the one to complain it’s the public getting all height and mighty. It’s the same old story it’s the minority of ignorant people spoiling it for everyone. Banning air rifles its pathetic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted January 19, 2007 Report Share Posted January 19, 2007 Its just government perpetuating their own power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tattoo terry Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 as someone who had air rifles since a kid and own firearms ,also i can see it from the other side as well after my mates kid was shot in the head and the pellet went into the brain, three of them were out below the golfcoarse with the air rifle while two were fighting over who got the next shot, the rifle went off ending up in him being shot and brain damaged and his parents being told he would die ,through the damage done but when they could not say he got 10 years out of it after he was shot,but not the best ten years i can tell u that so maybe regulating may just not be to bad if it saves one life and ruining a family for life,i know we can say u could get hit crossing he road but they need to be kept out of certain hands and thats a fact no one can deny, i aint got the answers to the problem, it shure aint the rifles its they same as anything its the ********* who ruin every thing including lives terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gus Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 That sunbed socialist Sheridan is doing what all politicians seem to do these days; pandering to poorly informed and media driven public opinion. Responsible airgun owners can protest at this idiotic legislative drive as much as we want, but let's face it - we're going to form a tiny minority of voters and our voice will be drowned out by the rabble that the likes of Sheridan is rousing. Join the countryside alliance. It may be percieved as an upper class pro-fox hunting body, but as far as lobbying power and media access goes, they are our only chance of stopping this crowd pleaser of a law from taking effect. "United we stand, divided we fall" has never been more true. As in angling, divisions in the ranks of shooters will simply present a confused and disorganised front against the ignorance and might of public opinion. Most of the people who support this proposed law will never have seen an airgun, let alone knowing anything about them. Look at the comments on that scotsman livebaiting article and you'll see what I mean - despite very strong unbiased evidence to suggest it's a practice that will ultimately risk our native fish stocks, the comments are full of "sod the law, I've always done it and I'll continue to do it...." thus playing straight into the hands of the antis. We must present a united front, and demonstrate our responsibility. Sites like this are simply a mine of quotes for anyone wanting to ban airguns... a veritable ammunition dump with an unlocked door. I doubt I've even managed to read 10% of this site, yet I could still point out a few choice threads where airgunners talk about illegally converting 12ft/lb weapons, shooting at entirely unsuitable quarry, and quite frankly talking about owning and using airguns like SAS obsessed nutters. A gutter press sensationalist journo could probably convince hundreds of thousands of people to vote for a ban, just by spending half an hour quoting some of this site in a short article. Think about it guys and gals, we need to be whiter than white and lead by example... IMO the 'militarisation' of airguns is just another nail in our own coffin. Be responsible, abide by existing legislation, shoot safely and by doing so demonstrate that any further legislation is unecessary. It's our only chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P03 Posted January 20, 2007 Report Share Posted January 20, 2007 cars kill more people then guns just because some people use them inappropriately it shouldnt mean that everyone has to suffer How are they going to ban all airguns though? they can ban the sale of them but that would have very little effect, surely those who want them for illegal activity would have bought them by now. Fridges kill more people than guns but it doesn't make front page news. Remember that shotguns were unlicensed only a few decades ago and although the odd one does turn up most shotgun serial numbers are now registered, it takes time but it can happen. As for keeping them for illegal activity....I would think it unlikely that a villain would choose an air weapon rather than a pistol or shotgun but some people will keep them just to spite the law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr smith Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 A quick update on this nonsense. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6287731.stm http://www.stv.tv/content/news/main/displa...re_to_be_mainta comments welcome on the bottom one,don't be shy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 I added my opinion to the STV site and I'm planning on writing to my local MSP as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr smith Posted January 22, 2007 Report Share Posted January 22, 2007 Wrote to my MSP(SNP) about this a week or two ago as i know the SNP support airgun licensing.Reply was basically that do indeed support licensing but feel this will get nowhere.Got to keep the pressure up though as i don't trust them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcbruno Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 I canty belive how ridiculouse the idea of banning airguns is I hope the good people of the UK completley ignore the ignorannus who proposed such a law next they will want to bann pocket knives we dont need liberty we are not worthy aparantly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter_HMR Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 Ban the junkies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 The comments on the STV site actually look promising - I'm surprised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr smith Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 The comments on the STV site actually look promising - I'm surprised. Let's keep it going the more the merrier,even if it's just basically repeating what others have said.Numbers count. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr smith Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 This has been lifted from AirgunBBS and is also on Airgun forum. Just to update you on BASC's activities against this proposed Bill. I have now received a non-commital reply from the Home Office, from whom I sought an assurance that they would not support any procedural motion that would allow the Scottish parliament to legislate on firearms including airguns. The line taken was that the proposal - from a non-Government MSP - was only at its consultation stage and that the Government could not take a position on a hypothetical Bill. I was down in Westminster yesterday and spoke to a number of key Labour MPs, including members of the Government and civil servants. The vibes were that while the Government would not go on the record at this stage but "there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell", as one of them said, of Labour facilitating the Bill. Martin Salter MP, the DCMS backbench spokesman on shooting, also spoke to the Home Office and has given me this quote which I shall be using today in a press release: "I’ve taken soundings on this issue and I see no prospect of the Government wishing to legislate further on this matter. Extra controls on air weapons were introduced in the Violent Crime Bill and the Anti-Social Behaviour Act. I firmly believe that there is now a settled view on these matters in Westminster." This is good news but we should not be complacent. I note the the Nationalists are also playing the anti-airgun card, and while all this may have more to do with the assembly elections rather than actual legislation these things have a habit of running out of control unless carefully watched. I would urge all who shoot to still regard this as a live threat and respond to the consultation. Christopher Graffius BASC Director of Communications Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
il cacciatore Posted January 24, 2007 Report Share Posted January 24, 2007 Thanks for that . :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr smith Posted January 26, 2007 Report Share Posted January 26, 2007 More news from BASC...again lifted from airgunBBS.... For information, this is the press release that BASC issued yesterday. Members of the forum may also have seen the story the BBC were running that Aberdeen City Council were discussing banning airguns within the city. BASC does not believe they have the power to do any such thing, but we note that council elections are imminent ... Christopher Labour MP believes airgun legislation won’t go any further 25th January 2007…………………………………………..immediate release Martin Salter MP, the Labour backbench spokesman on shooting, has taken soundings in Westminster on Tommy Sheridan MSP’s proposals for an airgun ban in Scotland and Mr Salter believes that the government will not want to assist any new legislation on this issue. Firearms legislation is reserved to Westminster and the Scottish Parliament could not legislate without a procedural motion being passed in London. Martin Salter MP said: “I’ve taken soundings on the issue and I see no prospect of the Government wishing to legislate further on this matter. Extra controls on air weapons were introduced in the Violent Crime Bill and the Anti-Social Behaviour Act. I firmly believe that there is now a settled view on these matters in Westminster.†BASC’s Director of Communications, Christopher Graffius, said: “Martin’s comments are encouraging but we should not be complacent. BASC is working to ensure that the hundreds of thousands of safe and legal airgun users in Scotland do not become scapegoats for the crimes of the few.†New controls on the sale and possession of airguns will come into force early in 2007 under the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006. ................................................................................ ................................................................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.