Govt shooting adviser challenges firearm review

[Simon Clarke]

Government’s shooting adviser takes issue with Home Office consultation on firearms law.

 

27th May 2004…………………………………….immediate release.

 

Martin Salter MP, Parliamentary adviser on shooting to the Minister of Sport, has written to the Home Office outlining concerns that the current review of firearms has the potential to cause problems.

 

Mr. Salter, in the letter to Home Office minister Caroline Flint also reminds the government of Labour’s manifesto commitment not to restrict shooting sports, and has included a summary response from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the UK’s largest shooting organisation.

 

The letter says: “I have considerable sympathy with BASC’s concerns and I would remind you of the 2001 Labour Party manifesto pledge which stated that “We have no intention whatsoever of placing restrictions on the sports of angling and shooting."”

 

Christopher Graffius, BASC director of communication said “We are pleased to receive this support as we tackle the Home Office consultation. The Home Secretary says he intends to reduce gun crime, which we support completely, but the possible reforms outlined in the consultation will do nothing to stop the street criminal intent on breaking the law. Lawful gun owners in Britain already work with some of the toughest regulation in the world. There is no link between legally held guns and crime. Adding more regulation will produce an unworkable bureaucracy for firearm users which will not improve public safety.”

 

“BASC is making positive efforts to tackle the criminal misuse of guns, through training, education and links with other campaigning groups who oppose gun crime. The Home Office needs to examine this route in preference to unnecessary restrictions on lawful shooting sports.” ENDS

 

NOTE TO EDITORS:

· Full text of Martin Salter's letter here· The BASC summary response to the consultation can be viewed here

· For more details call the press office on 01244 573031

[webber]

Well done Simon Clarke, please keep us posted. Well done Martin Salter, and well dome BASC.

 

Further controls on legitimate shooters will do nothing to restrict gun crime, any sane person can see that . Unfortunately, sanity and politics dont always go together. Its good to see that at least one MP has his head screwed on. Left hand thread of course.

 

webber