Government Petition to bring back .22RF Pistols

[Graysmoke]

Good Afternoon everybody,

 

I'd just like to raise to your attention a government petition that is occurring, If you hold an FAC or are thinking of getting an FAC in the future, you should seriously think about signing this petition:

 

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/62588

 

The petition proposes to allow the ownership and use of .22 Rimfire pistols for competitive sporting purposes in England, Scotland and Wales. The petition needs 100,000 signatures, when this is acheived the topic will be debated in the House of Commons.

 

Not sure if this petition has been posted before on this forum as i'm new here, so im sorry if im repeating someone else's post.

 

Lastly, I'd like to introduce myself, I am a keen pigeon shooter from Kent, I use several shotguns, including a black powder musket if im feeling really lucky...

 

Cheers!

Tom

[CharlieT]

It has.

 

See.....................http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/278788-e-petition-22-rf-pistols-coordinated-by-shooting-organisations/

[JimLondon]

Welcome to the forum Tom

[p@cman]

[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!

 

p.s. apologies for initially posting on this thread when the main discussion is here: http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/278788-e-petition-22-rf-pistols-coordinated-by-shooting-organisations/

Edited April 12, 2014 by rogcal