HW95J Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-office-writes-to-interested-parties-on-air-weapon-regulation Another day, another consultation! The results of the Scottish equivalent were enthusiastically ignored as we all know. Either way, we have to have our say on this. The antis listed in the announcement will be vocal as ever. It's a real pain up here, let's try and stop this nonsense spreading... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 How many times can they write "air weapon" on one page? They aren't weapons. They are guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 6 minutes ago, HW95J said: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-office-writes-to-interested-parties-on-air-weapon-regulation Another day, another consultation! The results of the Scottish equivalent were enthusiastically ignored as we all know. Either way, we have to have our say on this. The antis listed in the announcement will be vocal as ever. It's a real pain up here, let's try and stop this nonsense spreading... Then it could be pointed out, as part of any response to this one, that the results of the Scottish consultation were ignored, as you claim, and therefore, is there any point in responding to this one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 7 minutes ago, walshie said: How many times can they write "air weapon" on one page? They aren't weapons. They are guns. Probably as often as the term is used on PW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 7 minutes ago, walshie said: How many times can they write "air weapon" on one page? They aren't weapons. They are guns. Ten times if I count correctly. At the bottom where it says "is there anything wrong with this page" I have replied with pointing out the use of such wording and overuse and that bias is truly alive and well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HW95J Posted December 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 (edited) For reference (results of Scottish consultation, 87% opposed): https://basc.org.uk/blog/airgunning/87-reject-scottish-airgun-licensing-plan/ And here's the response: https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scotland-will-restrict-airguns-despite-opposition-to-move-1-3007870 The extract below is from the above Scotsman link. What we have from Mr MacAskill at the end is a blunt admission that not only were they ignoring the results, from the outset they had no intention of ever acknowledging public opinion. Guns aside it was an extremely poor political process, eventually voted through not as a standalone piece of legislation but bundled along with regulation of strip clubs among other things. EDIT: Worth noting that the relevant misuse statistics were only released after significant pressure from BASC, this announcement came just 8 days before the stage 3 debate. https://basc.org.uk/blog/uncategorized/statistics-confirm-air-weapon-licensing-unnecessary/. Much of the debates were therefore conducted without the requisite evidence which was, conveniently, delayed. 'The analysis says: “Views gathered through an open consultation exercise cannot be regarded as representative of the views of the population as a whole. “It is generally the case that those with particular expertise or a keen interest in a subject, and the capacity to respond, are more likely to participate in a consultation. It is also the case that those offered a simple means to respond will be encouraged to do so. Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “We have always been clear that licensing will happen and this has been a valuable exercise in highlighting issues and drawing out concerns around our suggested changes."' Edited December 13, 2017 by HW95J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 28 minutes ago, 7daysinaweek said: Ten times if I count correctly. At the bottom where it says "is there anything wrong with this page" I have replied with pointing out the use of such wording and overuse and that bias is truly alive and well. Thanks for posting, hadn't seen that. Pointy end of stick sharpened and used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HW95J Posted December 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 England and Wales: Statistics Let's break the trend and involve some evidence. Anoraks at the ready! Airgun Crime Statistics (England & Wales) as of 2015: "the number of offences involving air weapons has fallen by 10,868 offences (79%) since the year ending March 2003, when the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) was introduced, from 13,822 to 2,954 offences". For balance we must take into account that: "In the year ending March 2015, the police recorded 7,866 offences involving a firearm, an increase of 2% compared with the previous year (7,729 offences). This is the first increase in offences involving firearms in 10 years. There were increases in both air weapon (3%) and non-air-weapon (1%) offences over the last year. However- "The small percentage increase in offences involving firearms this year could in part be due to improvements in the police recording of crime." I believe they are including airguns in that statement, correct me if I have misread. Figure 3.2 (follow the link provided) shows a steep downwards curve in offences between 2003 and 2015. It's difficult to tell how much the VCR Act 2007 contributes as the trend begins years before this date (marked on graph) and simply continues afterwards. So what might we infer from this? 1. Airgun offences in England and Wales fell 79% between 2003 and 2015. There was however a minor increase in 2015 compared with 2014. The overall decrease is massive however. 2. This decrease has occurred without a licencing system. STATISTICS: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/compendium/focusonviolentcrimeandsexualoffences/yearendingmarch2015/chapter3offencesinvolvingtheuseofweapons#offences-involving-the-use-of-firearms-prevalence-and-trends It decreased before tighter controls, it continued to do so afterwards. Fairly suggestive that don't need any more regulation. If you could effectively stop muppets with paperwork, we'd be able to licence politicians and end this cr*p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshie Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 28 minutes ago, wymberley said: Thanks for posting, hadn't seen that. Pointy end of stick sharpened and used. Me too, including a cut and paste of the dictionary definition of weapon. I love being a grammar Nazi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted December 13, 2017 Report Share Posted December 13, 2017 2 hours ago, walshie said: How many times can they write "air weapon" on one page? They aren't weapons. They are guns. Like firearm enquiry officers who also regard shotguns & firearms as weapons....yet their job title is FEO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 14, 2017 Report Share Posted December 14, 2017 weapon ˈwɛp(ə)n/ noun a thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage. "nuclear weapons" a means of gaining an advantage or defending oneself in a conflict or contest. "resignation threats had long been a weapon in his armoury" Pretty sure it is illegal to be in possession of a 'weapon' unless you are in the Police or HM Forces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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