David BASC Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Government pulls .50 calibre ban for further consultation BASC and other shooting organisations have welcomed amendments tabled by the government to the Offensive Weapons Bill which remove the proposed ban on 50 calibre rifles. The government has said that it will consult further on the issues around the use of high muzzle energy rifles. The Home Office decision follows discussions with Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown MP, the chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Shooting and Conservation and Jonathan Djanogly MP, the chairman of the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC). Seventy-four Conservative and DUP MPs had signed an amendment to remove the prohibition on .50 cals and instead place clauses into the Bill which would ensure those who own the guns implement tighter security. Shooting organisations including BASC, NRA UK and the .50 Calibre Association worked together to brief MPs on the issues. The organisations clarified confusion among government advisors between .50 calibre single-shot target rifles and belt-fed heavy machine guns. BASC has advised the Home Office and lobbied ministers on the issue, given evidence to the Bill committee and rallied members in support of Sir Geoffrey’s amendment. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP said: “I welcome the government’s decision. It is essential that legislation should be proportionate, based on the facts and consulted on with stakeholders. The Home Secretary is right to announce further consultations and has my full support for securing an evidence-based result on this and other firearms issues.” Christopher Graffius, BASC’s executive director of communications and public affairs, said: “I would like to thank the MPs as well as members of shooting associations who took the time to contact their MPs and supported our work in parliament on this issue. We look forward to a constructive consultation and a sensible result.” Chris Stevenson, chairman of the .50 Calibre Association said: “This is a fantastic decision by the Home Office for all who shoot in the UK irrespective of calibre. We have further work to do and are more than happy to work with the Home Office in developing good law for our sport.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Novice Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Positive news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oowee Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 👍 Might get one yet 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog1408 Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Yes, very good news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the enigma Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Good news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainBeaky Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Thanks for the update, David. Anything resembling good news is welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Great new David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salop Matt Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 Great news 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 I only skim read it. Looks like we can now buy belt fed heavy machine guns. Bad news for squirrels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewulf Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 3 hours ago, spandit said: I only skim read it. Looks like we can now buy belt fed heavy machine guns. Bad news for squirrels So Im good for one of these ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spandit Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 That is my understanding Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainBeaky Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 Hmmm... There was a thread a while ago about someone buying an M2. I thought they meant a Benelli, but maybe not 😨 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 Crazy suggestion anyway. The aim was to stop a criminal eliment getting one .... do they seriously think they will put their hands up and say "Please Mister can I have a 50 cal". They are just going to go out on a saturday night and buy or rent one like they do handguns now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ordnance Posted November 23, 2018 Report Share Posted November 23, 2018 Good news Something to thank the DUP for, we are still shooting handguns here because Northern Ireland politicians opposed the handgun ban extending to N/I. Quote Sajid Javid has quietly abandoned plans to ban high-powered military-grade rifles after dozens of hard Brexit Conservatives and the DUP came together to voice opposition to the Home Office plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Funker Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 So did people in government honestly think licence holders had access to and owned belt fed 50 cals 😂 That's hilarious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HW95J Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 Great news that they're safe for now! The debate had been going on for quite a while though. If some MPs still thought at the end of the process that there were licensed .50Cal machine guns kicking about, they're either spectacularly stupid or wilfully ignorant. I think it's not unreasonable to expect people who's job it is to vote on policies to do some research; especially when BASC etc gave them accessible information. These muppets get paid huge amounts of money. Whether they like something or not, they should take the time to understand before making decisions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wb123 Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 Fantastic work. Well done and many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewulf Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 14 hours ago, ordnance said: Good news Something to thank the DUP for, we are still shooting handguns here because Northern Ireland politicians opposed the handgun ban extending to N/I. True. 15 hours ago, Walker570 said: Crazy suggestion anyway. The aim was to stop a criminal eliment getting one .... do they seriously think they will put their hands up and say "Please Mister can I have a 50 cal". They are just going to go out on a saturday night and buy or rent one like they do handguns now. I read this .https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7816506/sajid-javid-backlash-rifles/ And was quite surprised to read that of all the licensed .50 cal rifles in England and Wales , all 129 of them, the main argument for their legal ownership of them, is that the police have no defence against them ! So they are good for all other calibres I presume ?😂 What a pathetic argument, and a revealing look at how certain minds in government work. If anyone was in any doubt that the proposed ban was anything but an encroaching move on private firearms ownership in general, they shouldnt be now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted November 24, 2018 Report Share Posted November 24, 2018 8 hours ago, Rewulf said: True. I read this .https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7816506/sajid-javid-backlash-rifles/ And was quite surprised to read that of all the licensed .50 cal rifles in England and Wales , all 129 of them, the main argument for their legal ownership of them, is that the police have no defence against them ! So they are good for all other calibres I presume ?😂 What a pathetic argument, and a revealing look at how certain minds in government work. If anyone was in any doubt that the proposed ban was anything but an encroaching move on private firearms ownership in general, they shouldnt be now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remimax Posted November 28, 2018 Report Share Posted November 28, 2018 that's excellent news, a bit of common sense for once. after being thru two bans i was not holding me breath for the 50 cal's. have always fancied one but when this bill came out thought it was the end of that dream. think i'll have a beer to celebrate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mossy835 Posted November 29, 2018 Report Share Posted November 29, 2018 if the guns have never been involed in crime why ban them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted November 29, 2018 Report Share Posted November 29, 2018 12 minutes ago, mossy835 said: if the guns have never been involed in crime why ban them. That's a fair question, but doesn't really stand up to logic or scrutiny, nor one on which criteria for legislation should depend, for obvious reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted November 29, 2018 Report Share Posted November 29, 2018 55 minutes ago, mossy835 said: if the guns have never been involed in crime why ban them. Because 1/2 of the narrow minded people in politics have absolutely no idea what goes on outside of their perfect little world. So when they hear about a rifle capable of of blowing a car apart from the other side of the country they obviously need to BAN it. Its all true because they have seen it on telly. Very few politicians have any life skills or knowledge out side of their private school education. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewulf Posted November 29, 2018 Report Share Posted November 29, 2018 3 minutes ago, Dougy said: Very few politicians have any life skills or knowledge out side of their private school education. Thats pretty harsh ! 😨 But mostly true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dougy Posted November 29, 2018 Report Share Posted November 29, 2018 1 minute ago, Rewulf said: Thats pretty harsh ! 😨 But mostly true Im expecting a little flack from a few off PW that have had that privilege. 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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