Law Commission recommends total overhaul of firearms laws

[Gaz]

The Law Commission’s scoping consultation paper into firearms law has been published – and it recommends that the law on firearms be completely re-codified, amid heavy lobbying from police pressure groups demanding new bans and restrictions on the lawful ownership of firearms.

https://ukshootingnews.wordpress.com/20 ... arms-laws/

I've made it sound worse than it is, on reflection. There's some sensible stuff which won't do us any harm, though unfortunately Continuity ACPO and NABIS have been whispering poison into the lawyers' ears and we need to get on top of that sharpish.

Also, for Alpha1, they're planning to crack down on lathe owners. No joke.

[Sim G]

Continuity ACPO

You did like that, didn't you?

I've been saying for ages that we should have been proactive. Not with the "big stuff" that has been pushed for, such as rimfire pistols, but lots of little things like one-for-one for the same caliber actually done in the shop you're buying from, as in Ulster. Condensing FACs to a photo card and a separate part 2 to save on paper but still allow the purchase of primers when ticket away. The rediculous situation of expanding ammo...

Perhaps if we had been the ones conducting a drip-drip campaign with the police we may have been on a stronger footing from the authorities and on behalf of the public. But for that to have happened, we would have needed one voice. In all honesty, I reckon were fecked. I don't envisage spending my pension on my sport!

[Sixshot6]

Continuity ACPO

You did like that, didn't you?

I've been saying for ages that we should have been proactive. Not with the "big stuff" that has been pushed for, such as rimfire pistols, but lots of little things like one-for-one for the same caliber actually done in the shop you're buying from, as in Ulster. Condensing FACs to a photo card and a separate part 2 to save on paper but still allow the purchase of primers when ticket away. The rediculous situation of expanding ammo...

Perhaps if we had been the ones conducting a drip-drip campaign with the police we may have been on a stronger footing from the authorities and on behalf of the public. But for that to have happened, we would have needed one voice. In all honesty, I reckon were fecked. I don't envisage spending my pension on my sport!

There is still time to turn around. Who wants to get started then?

[Gaz]

Continuity ACPO

You did like that, didn't you?

If I had a style guide for the blog, that'd be the number 1 entry!

I think we do need more proactive engagement with the police on the regulation side of things. BASC do us absolutely no favours by insisting that all's well whenever anyone notices problems, even as the Countyside Alliance are riding in to sort things out (see the shop-a-gun-owner hotline madness earlier this year).

What that comes down to is time and money, I guess...

I reckon the "review everything" drive will kick off a full rewrite of licensing law. Now is the time to get involved. If only an org like the NRA held a public mini-consultation on what should be rewritten...........

[IsleShoot]

Is this the gap in the door for which to jamb our foot in?

The possibility of reform must surely be a good thing? Agreed lots of worrying stuff that could easily lead to the demise of the entire sport but perhaps thats what we need to unify us?

No more casual clay bashing, no more plinking with an air rifle in the back garden, no more painting your blue & orange airsoft toys in camo, no more hanging your de-ac over the fire place, no more pretending you're not part of the shooting community and not affected by this!

I've thought for a while that perhaps it would be best if plod and the HO went for the jugular we might actually come out of it better off?

Anything that gets shooters identifying as a community and one that is threaten enmass is, in my opinion, the best route to us having effective representation and as such a real seat at the negotiating table.

[Outsider]

I agree with the sentiments expressed. Now is the time and this could honestly be a golden opportunity to push for improvements. We just need to pull our bloody fingers out and get some sort of unified voice.

[saddler]

...no more plinking with an airWEAPON in the back garden...

FIFY

"Welcome to Scotland"

[450 Martini]

I suggest that these categories are also at risk in any future legislation overhaul.

1. Lever release rifles
2. LBR/LBP
3. Section 58 antiques (especially cartridge pistols)
4. .50 cal and other HME rifles
5. old spec de-acts
6. Air rifles

[Chapuis]

One phrase comes to mind - fit for purpose. Are the current firearms laws in the U.K. fit for purpose?

It would seem that every one whichever side of the fence you happen to stand on are in total agreement on one thing, that the current laws are overly complex, not fit for purpose, and due a major overhaul. Perhaps its about time that ALL stakeholders were involved, including end users and a new system devised that meets the needs of today and not 1903.

[Sixshot6]

One phrase comes to mind - fit for purpose. Are the current firearms laws in the U.K. fit for purpose?

It would seem that every one whichever side of the fence you happen to stand on are in total agreement on one thing, that the current laws are overly complex, not fit for purpose, and due a major overhaul. Perhaps its about time that ALL stakeholders were involved, including end users and a new system devised that meets the needs of today and not 1903.

It actually dates from 1922, but correct sentiment.