Steppenwolf Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 I have come across this small article on the guntrader website. http://www.guntrader.co.uk/News-And-Reviews/ There’s no going back, even for UKIP Guntrader News 10:20am, 13th June 2014 The apparent change of heart undergone by UKIP in relation to the party’s support for the repeal of the ban on .22 target pistols was only to be expected. Its election success, both at local and European level although widely anticipated has nonetheless left it with a headache, namely how to get rid of all the single issue fanatics close to the leadership and put in place grown up spokespeople and individuals capable of running a ministerial brief. When you have no hope of being elected it does not really matter what you promise the electorate, as Nick Clegg found to his cost. Now that they might have a chance of a parliamentary seat or two in 2015, UKIP is backing away from lots of things and repealing legislation on firearms is one of them. You can’t blame them really. The ban was a new-Labour driven piece of cynical electioneering, but the shooting community has to face the fact that we have not come remotely close to another Dunblane since it came into force. However, in the 17 years since that disaster most of mainland Europe has endured mass shootings (France and Germany three or more) undertaken by disaffected men in countries where handguns are legally available. You can argue the statistics anyway you like, but attempting to garner mass appeal with a manifesto that includes the possibility of all that happening again, is not the way to get to Westminster." Is this legit? I haven't been able to find clarification from some official UKIP source but if true I ma afraid I wil have to stop supporting them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 As said you can't blame them. If they are to be given a chance to get us out of europe they have to dump the vote losing policies to get more positives than negatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 I have come across this small article on the guntrader website. I'd find out who the author of the article was, and ask him/her their source. I'd also point out that the vast majority of handguns were banned by John Major's government. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 I think .22 target pistol should be allowed, our own team have trouble with practice. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Can you imagine a party in power backing a repeal of the hand gun act and then another loon going crackers, political suicide! I vote on more things than throw away vote grabbing promises, note the big ones 1. SDP and tuition fees 2. Cons and hunting act 3, Labour and safeguarding the economy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STOTTO Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Before further argument it would be wise to obtain official confirmation of a policy shift on the part of UKIP on this issue. As regard to bringing back all handguns (as one of the disenfranchised) I believe that it was pointed out at the time by way of an analogy that when the change from coal gas to natural gas, (which is non toxic) was accomplished the number of suicides from coal gas poisoning dropped to zero, however the overall suicide rate remained unchanged! I wonder if anyone has the murder rate figures for the periods in question? As poontang pointed out it was John Major’s government that put in place the legislation for the ban, but it was a labour government that implemented it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breastman Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 If Labour had of been in power when the Dunblane tradgey happened this would be a fishing/archery website! That 'article' on the Guntrader website reads as an opinion to me and without substantiation of the facts/sources, thats all it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Now that they might have a chance of a parliamentary seat or two in 2015, UKIP is backing away from lots of things and repealing legislation on firearms is one of them. You can’t blame them really. The ban was a new-Labour driven piece of cynical electioneering, but the shooting community has to face the fact that we have not come remotely close to another Dunblane since it came into force. I can agree with the fact that it is totally unsurprising for UKIP to now be backtracking on some throwaway policy suggestions now the climate has changed somewhat, but to suggest that we haven't 'come remotely close to another Dunblane since it (the handgun ban) came into force' is totally untrue. Derek Bird could just have easily walked into his local school that day in Cumbria; there was absolutely nothing anyone could have done to stop him, he just happened to have his intent focussed elsewhere. If he had walked into a school, then I doubt this forum would still be running. Or you can look at it another way; what would our politicians have done if Hamilton had walked into Dunblane Primary with a double ejector shotgun and a .22 rf rifle instead of handguns? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted July 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 UPDATE: On the FirearmsUk facebook page someone who supports UKIP has written to them to clarify their position if they still support 22 handgun ban repeal. Here is the UKIP reply: "Dear Mr Faulkner,Thank you very much for your e-mail.So far as I know there has been no change in the Party's stance on hand guns. However, I am forwarding your message and query to Gerard Batten MEP who is our Home Affairs and Immigration Spokesman. He may wish to comment further.Once again thank you for going to the time to write to us.Yours sincerely,Patrick McAndrewUKIP Head Office" Original reply by a Mr Faulkener to UKIP: "Hi,I’m a UKIP Party Member no. XXXXXX (since January) and a Coterminus Firearms and Shotgun Certificate Holder.Has there been any shift in the views or policy of UKIP regarding the licensing of handguns?I’m not aware of anything myself, and realise that the 2015 Manifesto is yet to be revealed in Doncaster in September, and note our Leaders comments on LBC sometime before the European Elections, but other than that I’ve seen nothing.Yet the Gun Trade seems to be leading with negative stories about a UKIP policy change, read herehttp://www.guntrader.co.uk/News-And-Reviews/#NogoingbackUKIPWhilst I understand the subject is emotive and requires a significant change in Government Coalition, and likely not be an identified policy within the 2015 Manifesto, is UKIP able to offer enlightenment regarding this subject, and perhaps road signs towards future policy direction, and either confirm or reject that UKIP has decided to change direction on this matter?As a Target Shooter, and Deer Stalker, I would very much appreciate any information you’re able to release.Best regards,Wayne FaulknerParty MemberShrewsbury & Atcham Constituency" Just as I thought, unsubstantiated drivel. No I don't think it would be political suicide for UKIP to openly support gun law repeal, considering that whenever there is a petition to bring back handguns it always gets more signatures than a petition which aims to ban guns. You only have to look at the epetitions website. The argument that most British people are antigun is a myth in my experience perpetuated by the media. The media is big and powerful and it seems to "speak for every british person" or so they wouldlike to think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STOTTO Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Well done Steppenwolf for chasing it up, (explorative research at its best)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted July 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Not the only one, I agree with their many policies. me being libertarian. -Smaller state - out of EU -lower taxes But of course the cherry on the cake was handgun ban repeal.I guess I am sort of a single issue voter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 (edited) Edit. Edited July 1, 2014 by ordnance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 How do you know that has anything to do with the handgun ban. ? There has being other mass shootings has their not. ? Have you a link to the shootings you talk about and the firearms used. ? And I will give you links where shotguns were used should they be banned. ? Your views would be more at home on some anti-gun forums. I believe Steppenwolf quoted the article from the website, and is not his personal opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 (edited) How do you know that has anything to do with the handgun ban. ? There has being other mass shootings has their not. ? Have you a link to the shootings you talk about and the firearms used. ? And I will give you links where shotguns were used should they be banned. ? Your views would be more at home on some anti-gun forums. I believe Steppenwolf quoted the article from the website, and is not his personal opinion. I am glad if that's the case, I thought I had got on a anti/gun forum by mistake. Edited July 1, 2014 by ordnance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted July 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 (edited) That is right, the Update is a quote from a facebook post on the FirearmsUk facebook site. I have also received confirmation from some ukip source: "Thank you for your enquiry regarding .22 Target pistols. My understanding has always been that UKIP would support a responsible repeal of certain aspects of firearms ownership. For instance, the fact that the British Olympic Shooting Team has to travel to France to practise, has always seemed unsatisfactory to us. It goes without saying that the Party would oppose anything even remotely resembling a free-for-all with firearms ownership (We don't want the UK turning into Dodge City) but historically we have (or so it seems to me) been amenable to taking a close look at the existing situation and seeing what relaxations could be made, in relation to restricted and responsible firearms ownership.However, I must stress that I am not an official policy spokesman, and so I am forwarding your enquiry to Gerard Batten MEP, our spokesman on Home Affairs, and hopefully he can clarify why Guntrader News are under the impression that UKIP has apparently had a "change of heart".RegardsDavid ChalliceUKIP Head Office" So what si on Guntrader news is utter rubbish. Edited July 1, 2014 by Steppenwolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) mmm, seem some people are more likely inventing stuff about UKIP yet again, I wonder if there is a real plan here Edited July 2, 2014 by kent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underdog Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Hahaha...welcome to Britain..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VikingRebel Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 (edited) but the shooting community has to face the fact that we have not come remotely close to another Dunblane since it came into force. So I guess that mass shooting in Cumbria by Derrick Bird a couple of years back, was just a figment of our imagination then? Edited July 3, 2014 by VikingRebel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted July 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Apparently. By the way you are quoting that as if it's my comment. I am quoting the Guntrader News article. I never said that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VikingRebel Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Apparently. By the way you are quoting that as if it's my comment. I am quoting the Guntrader News article. I never said that. Apologies mate, but don't worry I know they are not your words. I have taken your name off the quote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dannyboy220 Posted July 7, 2014 Report Share Posted July 7, 2014 Have you heard anything back from their Home Affairs" spokesman? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steppenwolf Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 No buit it's safe to say that they still do support a relaxation of the 22 handgun ban. 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.