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OMG Wigan Today Journalist does Homework !


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Oh wait I got that utterly wrong what I meant to say was useless hack spouts off without checking facts first. Here is the high quality sensationalist work you get from a local rag.

 

http://www.wigantoday.net/news/local/three-year-high-for-gun-licences-1-7987692.

 

 

a few fav highlight of mine are :

 

"The number of section seven licences which allow people to renew their permission to have a gun is also going up dramatically, with 26 issued in 2015 compared to two in 2014 and none in 2013"

 

errr no

 

"Last year also saw a massive region-wide spike in section seven renewal certificates being given out, with 75 awarded compared to just seven in 2014 and six in 2013"

 

What's the fixation with section seven certificates that just show the police are under resourced.

 

"The FOI figures show hundreds of weapons licences are being dished out by GMP across the region each year."

 

Mainly section seven it seems LOL

 

I may have to join and respond to this dross.

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There are contact details at the foot of the article regarding inaccuracies in reporting; let us know who you get on.

I had some time and was annoyed so I sent them this...

 

Dear Janet

I am writing to express my disappointment at the poor standards of journalism contained in the piece headed as above. Surely it would be prudent to do a tiny bit of research before writing such an inflammatory article? I know chasing clicks is the main role of such baiting articles but it reflects poorly on your publication.

Firstly, both firearms certificates and shotgun certificates are valid for five years, so there are natural peaks and troughs in demand, just as there are for passports etc. The article only mentions three years of data and draws some scaremongering conclusions that are not there to draw.

The section seven certificate which according to the article is required to renew a FAC/SGC is wholly inaccurate, a section 7 is issued when the existing license has expired to allow legal possession of the guns while awaiting a new certificate - it is generally issued when the licensing department have not processed renewals in time which is far more interesting point but I suppose not as interesting as a story?

A recent change in legislation means markers are put on the medical records of all firearms holders so any change in their medical status which could present a risk to the public is immediately picked up. FAC/SGC holders are already constantly monitored with regards to anything that calls your good character into question ie drink driving, domestic violence etc.

In my lifetime I have known of incidents involving legal firearms being used to commit crimes, and the fact we can all list Hungerford, Dunblane etc by name must demonstrate how rare these incidents are? What's interesting with these incidents is that as far as I am aware they were all preceded by failures of the relevant authorities which could have prevented them under the legislation already in place at the time however again that is apparently not a good story and law abiding shooters again get bashed. You can change the law as much as you like but if the authorities fail to act on it surely blame lies with them, not with the unconnected gun owners?

Incidents involving legally held firearms are at a minuscule level, especially compared to the illegal ones but the media seems determined to blame us for the ills of society at large. Please could you try and ensure that some integrity is applied and perhaps even a little bit of research? Firearms legislation is well published and organisations like BASC will gladly speak to you and help interpret the data in a way that wouldn't have the slapdash nature of this piece.

yours sincerely

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There are contact details at the foot of the article regarding inaccuracies in reporting; let us know how you get on.

Edit: 'How' not 'who'!

Let us know who you get on would probably get more readers !
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