BASC advise on police right to enter and seize firearms

UPDATE: Write Your Own Laws – The Telegraph

On the 16th of May 2013 Firearms UK responded to the Telegraph’s article “Write your own laws — and win prizes”

Our submission was:

“The right for law abiding citizens to keep firearms as recognised by the Bill of Rights 1689. All current Firearms Acts to be repealed in place of a new simplified act which recognizes this right for citizens without a history of violent or persistent offending. Emphasis on harsh punishments to be on criminal misuse and stopping the criminalization and penalization of ordinary responsible and law abiding citizens.”

Despite receiving the most votes by far, 68 votes with our nearest rival at 42 votes, the Telegraph has chosen to put the following forward to MPs;

1. A ten-year term limit for Prime Ministers, suggested by Alun Morris.
   (2 votes)
2. A flat tax, proposed by Taxfair. (3 votes)
3. A law to encourage the ‘greening’ of public spaces, proposed by Mattstrat. (3 votes)
4. Abolish the loophole that leaves student parents exempt from paying child maintenance, proposed by Rebecca Lynall. (4 votes)
5. A ban on spitting in public, proposed by LestWeForget. (1 vote)
6. Repeal the ban on hand guns and re-open shooting clubs, proposed by Colliemum. (8 votes)

Interestingly the Telegraph highlighted the following from Colliemum’s submission: “After all, why should only criminals be ‘allowed’ to possess guns and shoot unarmed, defenceless citizens and police officers?”

For completeness the actual submission is:

“Repeal the various acts which prohibit citizens in good standing (no criminal record) from owning and bearing hand guns, and re-open shooting clubs so people can be trained in the sfe [safe] use and handling of said guns. After all, why should only criminals be ‘allowed’ to possess guns and shoot unarmed, defenceless citizens and police officers?”

Firearms UK is disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised with the decision of the Telegraph, however the law proposed by Colliemum, “Repeal the ban on hand guns and re-open shooting clubs”, does merit a vote and we would encourage everyone to support it.

More details and how to register your vote can be found here

Write Your Own Laws – The Telegraph

Firearms UK has commented on the “Write your own laws — and win prizes” article in the Telegraph.

If you could take a minute to visit the page and “recommend” our comment it would be much appreciated. It should be near the top when the filter is set to “best rating”, just look for our logo.

Our comment is as follows….

“The right for law abiding citizens to keep firearms as recognised by the Bill of Rights 1689. All current Firearms Acts to be repealed in place of a new simplified act which recognizes this right for citizens without a history of violent or persistent offending.

Emphasis on harsh punishments to be on criminal misuse and stopping the criminalization and penalization of ordinary responsible and law abiding citizens.”

Hopefully it will make some people think.

The article can be found here

Many thanks

European Commission’s Firearms Consultation

The European Commission have begun a European wide consultation on tackling firearm related crime, and although it seems to focus on trafficking offenses, the questions are very biased and are of a “what more restrictions can we add” nature. We are concerned that if not countered by a significant number of responses from the shooting community this effort may lead to future legislative actions being aimed at lawful shooters and firearms enthusiasts.

BASC are urging all shooters to take part in the consultation which takes the form of an online questionnaire. More details can be found on their website.

Firearms UK will be responding to the consultation, however we also encourage everyone with an interest in shooting sports and firearms to respond individually. The consultation can be found here

Guide To The Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006

Consultation Now Closed for Responses

The consultation period is now closed for responses to the Scottish Governments proposals to licence airguns in Scotland. The opposition to the proposals as been loud and clear from the many shooting organizations, but also from a growing movement of everyday people. One of the highlights of the campaign against the proposals as been a petition carrying close to fourteen thousand signatures.

There as always been a fear that the Scottish Government will try and force these proposals through no matter what, but the voice of reason and opposition to it as been loud and will continue to grow no matter what the outcome may be.

We at Firearms UK would like to thank everyone who as been involved. Every signature, every response and every letter you wrote is one step closer to victory. We would also like to remind people that there is more work to be done. Keep up the pressure on your MSP’s, share your views with those around you, tackle oppression towards those within the firearms and shooting communities and educate people on the failings of these proposals. We also encourage you all to take part in our campaign to ensure that these proposals never get a foothold in England and Wales, by signing our petitions and supporting our Facebook Page, No to Airgun Licencing in England & Wales.