E - Petition .22 RF Pistols. Coordinated By Shooting Organisations

[Livefast123]

I agree with Poontang that although we shouldn't shy away from a particular type of gun, the public face of any campaign is paramount. Whether we like it or not the media have turned the black rifle into something for the public to fear and portrayed the fact that they are only used by potential nut jobs. Therefore I feel they should be avoided like the plague on any public / pr exercise. The cutey fluffy target pistol for is much better :-)

 

Nothing on either the NSRA or NRA websites......have you had any reply from those that are supposed to support UK target shooting?

 

Got all of my family signed up now and working on the extended.

Edited March 28, 2014 by Livefast123

[demonwolf444]

Cheers guys. Yeh probing to try and find out whats going on with NRA NRSA at the moment. Lack of response is fairly disappointing, Perhaps if a couple of you threw some emails their way?

 

 

I agree with Poontang that although we shouldn't shy away from a particular type of gun, the public face of any campaign is paramount. Whether we like it or not the media have turned the black rifle into something for the public to fear and portrayed the fact that they are only used by potential nut jobs. Therefore I feel they should be avoided like the plague on any public / pr exercise. The cutey fluffy target pistol for is much better :-)

Nothing on either the NSRA or NRA websites......have you had any reply from those that are supposed to support UK target shooting?

Got all of my family signed up now and working on the extended.

 

First port of call, get the family on board!

 

All the best guys, lets keep this moving.

 

James.

[demonwolf444]

Okay, so far as i can discern from trawling through the pages of updates from the team, discussions with the NRSA are on going. The NRA, as we have seen in the past is guarding its own interests.

 

James.

[David BASC]

Speaking personally I cant fathom why the NSRA are not all over this like a rash, what's to discuss for goodness sake? I would have thought they would have been first out of the blocks backing this....having said that there are a few organisations that seem a bit quiet on this at the moment.

[wymberley]

Speaking personally I cant fathom why the NSRA are not all over this like a rash, what's to discuss for goodness sake? I would have thought they would have been first out of the blocks backing this....having said that there are a few organisations that seem a bit quiet on this at the moment.

One can do nothing but agree. Hopefully, this pro-active action will prove to be infectious and encourage other organisations to take a similar stance with regard to other aspects relating to the sport of shooting as a whole and which affect many more hundreds of thousands of shooters than this single topic even as worthy as it is.

[demonwolf444]

Speaking personally I cant fathom why the NSRA are not all over this like a rash, what's to discuss for goodness sake? I would have thought they would have been first out of the blocks backing this....having said that there are a few organisations that seem a bit quiet on this at the moment.

 

One can do nothing but agree. Hopefully, this pro-active action will prove to be infectious and encourage other organisations to take a similar stance with regard to other aspects relating to the sport of shooting as a whole and which affect many more hundreds of thousands of shooters than this single topic even as worthy as it is.

 

As i understand it the person whom we have been put in contact with is out of office, but i would welcome a couple of emails to them to speed things a long. Other organizations have Their own agenda's and we have been coming up against a fair bit of elitism from certain groups.

[wymberley]

 

 

but i would welcome a couple of emails to them to speed things a long.

Tried to but their only contact details that I could find were by 'phone which is pointless.

 

Can anyone help with an e-mail address? - as this is in the public domain,PM might be prudent if so.

[Scully]

I googled the NPA a while back; does this organisation no longer exist? The NRA have long been elitist and a lack of response from them comes as no surprise; there is no unity between individual shooters so there is no reason why there would be amongst organisations. The NRA has always shown itself to have the opinion that surrendering 'lesser' interests is their best policy.

According to this site there are over 32,000 members, but we only have 10,000 signatures. Is this a lack of interest, apathy, hostility?

Mentioned the petition to a couple of mates this morning up at the shoot; one said he would sign when he got home (but I know he wont) the other said it was a waste of time.Me mentioning that if everyone was of that attitude then it definitely would be but he isn't interested in target shooting so that's that. Have mentioned it to my nephew and his mates who have their own syndicate and said they were off to Crab Tree farm to shoot this morning. As BASC members they believe they have fulfilled their obligations and me pointing out that it is only individual numbers that count has had no effect.....none of them are interested.

There is no doubt we have the numbers, but despite the backing of some of the UK's major organisations, not the will.

[poontang]

I googled the NPA a while back; does this organisation no longer exist? The NRA have long been elitist and a lack of response from them comes as no surprise; there is no unity between individual shooters so there is no reason why there would be amongst organisations. The NRA has always shown itself to have the opinion that surrendering 'lesser' interests is their best policy.

According to this site there are over 32,000 members, but we only have 10,000 signatures. Is this a lack of interest, apathy, hostility?

Mentioned the petition to a couple of mates this morning up at the shoot; one said he would sign when he got home (but I know he wont) the other said it was a waste of time.Me mentioning that if everyone was of that attitude then it definitely would be but he isn't interested in target shooting so that's that. Have mentioned it to my nephew and his mates who have their own syndicate and said they were off to Crab Tree farm to shoot this morning. As BASC members they believe they have fulfilled their obligations and me pointing out that it is only individual numbers that count has had no effect.....none of them are interested.

There is no doubt we have the numbers, but despite the backing of some of the UK's major organisations, not the will.

 

It's a two pronged fork.

 

The internet has been brilliant for opening up debates and petitions, such as the one we're discussing at the moment. All the information is at hand and the petition just a few clicks away.

 

Problem is, as you have found Scully, some folk are so apathetic it's still too much trouble to sign.

 

Back in the old days when petitions were signed on a piece of paper, it seemed easier to get the all important signatures.

 

I wouldn't mind betting that had you put a paper petition in front of the people in your post and asked them to sign they would have done it quite happily?

It seems to me that technology and the internet has opened up a massive opportunity to get a message across, yet many would still prefer the old pen and paper approach.

 

Strange really.

[Scully]

You could well be right Poontang. I know for a fact that if I had the petition as it is worded, on a piece of paper, and carried it around with me for all those people who can't be bothered to sign, to sign, they would. You're right, it is strange.

Perhaps that's what we need to be doing. But would it then be an 'on-line' petition?

[poontang]

You could well be right Poontang. I know for a fact that if I had the petition as it is worded, on a piece of paper, and carried it around with me for all those people who can't be bothered to sign, to sign, they would. You're right, it is strange.

Perhaps that's what we need to be doing. But would it then be an 'on-line' petition?

 

No it wouldn't unfortunately.

 

As far as I know you can't have both an online e-gov petition and a paper petition running for the same purpose at the same time.

 

I stand to be corrected but I'm pretty sure they're the rules.

[brett1985]

Surely we coukd get paper signatures with the details and sign them in online, then all the person has to do is click the link verification?

[poontang]

Surely we coukd get paper signatures with the details and sign them in online, then all the person has to do is click the link verification?

 

Not sure that would work.

 

Doesn't the link verification get sent to the computer which sent the details, thereby verifying the authenticity of the signature?

[Scully]

 

Not sure that would work.

 

Doesn't the link verification get sent to the computer which sent the details, thereby verifying the authenticity of the signature?

Yes; you 're correct . The petition isnt signed until the signee(if that's a word) has verified by clicking the link sent back to their console.

[demonwolf444]

There is a healthy and enthusiastic response to this thread which is nice to see as apposed breaking down to bickering..There are many and more things planned and being planned for the future of this campaign. I wish we had the resources to dedicate more to this campaign. Apologies for my lack of activity on here, just done 16 hours in the workshop to catch up on orders.

[SneakyD]

Generally I don't sign petitions, but this seems a particularly worthy cause, so signed and verified

[Livefast123]

Maybe UKIP would nbe interested and offer support since they are supposedly in support of repealing the handgun ban......

[BattleFieldRelics]

Maybe UKIP would nbe interested and offer support since they are supposedly in support of repealing the handgun ban......

Will email my local ukip rep

[DiamondD]

I do not understand why people would not sign anyway even if they believe it would do no good at least they could say they tried. This is the kind of apathy we must try to avoid. Especially since so many of the established shooting organisations are giving the petition their backing it's a fantastic opportunity.

Regarding certain organisations that have been quiet perhaps if members contacted the organisations and asked for official support of the petition it may change a few minds?

Edited March 31, 2014 by DiamondD

[poontang]

Maybe UKIP would nbe interested and offer support since they are supposedly in support of repealing the handgun ban......

 

Don't hold your breath.

 

It would be political suicide for any party to support the repeal of the handgun ban. Especially at the moment with the Euro elections just round the corner and a general election next year.

[DiamondD]

It could depend I get the impression that many people who are anti gun probably wouldn't vote for UKIP anyway. Perhaps where some votes are lost more can be gained from the shooting community. The key is to unite. We easily number 5-10 million people in the UK if we count airguns, certificate holders, airsoft, paintball, collectors and even people with just a general interest. That is a fair number that could not easily be ignored.

Edited March 31, 2014 by DiamondD

[rogcal]

The Government's response:

As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response: The Government continues to monitor all aspects of the current controls on firearms. There are, however, no plans to re-categorise any weapons within the Firearms Acts or to repeal any of the existing bans. The Government recognises that people who compete at international level in any sport need to train on a regular and intensive basis. The special arrangements that permitted British pistol squad members to have to access to secure facilities in the UK to enable them to carry out their training in advance of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London will continue for squad members in preparation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympics Games in Rio. This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.

It beggars the question that if the Government believes the "special arrangements" for the Olympic pistol squad were adequate prior to the 2012 games and shall be deemed as adequate for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympic Games, I would like to know where pistol shooters who are not in the pistol squad gain sufficient skills to be considered for the squad.

Only those with deep pockets who can afford to gain the necessary skills on overseas pistol ranges would stand any chance of being selected for the Great Britain pistol squad which would mean that the less well off pistol shooters that may have the aptitude and natural talents to achieve greatness in this particular sport will be deprived of the opportunity of representing their country and increasing the medal tally.

The decision certainly shows no forward thinking by those decision makers in Government who obviously assume that pistol shooters of the calibre needed (excuse the pun) just appear from nowhere!

[Grandalf]

 

The decision certainly shows no forward thinking by those decision makers in Government who obviously assume that pistol shooters of the calibre needed (excuse the pun) just appear from nowhere!

 

 

You wont get any forward thinking by any political party unless it will buy votes at the next election. We are far to close to the end of this government to get any attention to any subject that is even slightly controversial.

[wymberley]

 

The Government's response:

As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response: The Government continues to monitor all aspects of the current controls on firearms. There are, however, no plans to re-categorise any weapons within the Firearms Acts or to repeal any of the existing bans. The Government recognises that people who compete at international level in any sport need to train on a regular and intensive basis. The special arrangements that permitted British pistol squad members to have to access to secure facilities in the UK to enable them to carry out their training in advance of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London will continue for squad members in preparation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympics Games in Rio. This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.

It beggars the question that if the Government believes the "special arrangements" for the Olympic pistol squad were adequate prior to the 2012 games and shall be deemed as adequate for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2016 Olympic Games, I would like to know where pistol shooters who are not in the pistol squad gain sufficient skills to be considered for the squad.

Only those with deep pockets who can afford to gain the necessary skills on overseas pistol ranges would stand any chance of being selected for the Great Britain pistol squad which would mean that the less well off pistol shooters that may have the aptitude and natural talents to achieve greatness in this particular sport will be deprived of the opportunity of representing their country and increasing the medal tally.

The decision certainly shows no forward thinking by those decision makers in Government who obviously assume that pistol shooters of the calibre needed (excuse the pun) just appear from nowhere!

 

Just raised the point with my MP via e-mail.

[wymberley]

Just raised the point with my MP via e-mail.

Well I'm damned! Nearly fell off my chair.

 

I've just had a reply from my MP. The points I raised in my e-mail are those voiced by rogcal in his post. Now, it may just be ******** (but beats a poke in the eye with a pointy stick) but I am informed that he will raise the same with the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, The Rt Hon Sajid Javid. As a result, Guys, it may just be advantageous if other members who are in the East Devon constituency - or any other one for that matter - e-mail our/their MP, Hugo Swire while the iron is hot.

 

Mind you, having said that, at the current rate of progress there's not a snowball's chance in hell that we're going to get anywhere close to the required figure.