SAAMI withdraws from UN arms project study.

[Sandgroper]

An interesting read. Of course I had to go and look at the CASA Project on International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) My interest was in who is supporting and sponsoring such a group, the good news is our Government is not listed. Phewww - at least the chaps that 'run' our country are not subscribing to this yet. Then I scanned the list below and look who is listed:

http://www.bssc.org.uk/

Remember these are the umbrella organisation representing the major shooting associations in the United Kingdom and acting as a conduit between the Home Office and other Government Departments, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the British Standards Institute, the Health and Safety Executive, etc. for the exchange of views and information across the spectrum of sporting shooting. It is now seen as a primary consultee on any issue concerning the sport.

Another that caught my eye was the Danish Demining Group (DDG) Apparently based in Vietnam of all places and without a working web presence.

An interesting list of partners. I can fully understand why SAAMI have withdrawn from this study given it's biased approach and choice of partners.

I've just written a letter to the BSSC about this, I'll post it on Monday and let you when/if I get a response.

[Sandgroper]

Got a reply from The British Shooting Sports Council today - David Penn, Secretary. It makes interesting reading, I'm not going to quote too heavily from it in case things are taken out of context - if anyone wants a copy PM me and I'll copy it as written and send it off to you. Just give me time to copy it!

Regarding ISACS and the UK

...in the event the UK did "sign up", ISACS would have very little effect since our legislation so tight already. ...CASA does seek a comprehensive licensing system with accountability for the possession and transfer of all civilian-owned firearms, which we already have.

According to the letter, "The BSSC is not a 'contributing partner'." but part of the expert reference group. This is not the impression the UN appears to give, IMO.

I won't quote all of the paragraph regarding the exit of SAAMI, but Mr Penn does say SAAMI is right to be concerned about 'the content and methodology of the project'. He also says that in his view 'it is better to work from with in for as long as possible'.

Reading between the lines it seems we do not have anything to be concerned about, yet. As perverse it seems, the strictness of the UK's laws may protect protect us from any fallout from this project - but of that I am yet to be convinced.

[Porcupine]

...in the event the UK did "sign up", ISACS would have very little effect since our legislation so tight already

That's just depressing :cool2:

[Sandgroper]

...in the event the UK did "sign up", ISACS would have very little effect since our legislation so tight already

That's just depressing :cool2:

Depressing maybe, but then again life still goes on.

This has got me wondering if the fractured state of our firearms laws in the UK is a relatively good thing? Good in the sense that the Home Office, the various Police Forces, Shooting Organisations and Shooters et al are all trying to interpret a fractured set of laws, which in turn opens up many and varied loopholes for us to use to our advantage.

Not ideal, but possibly better than a single hard and fast law with no wriggle room.

I think the biggest threat to shooting in the UK is possibly not an outside threat, but the tribal nature of shooters and their representative organisations, set against the singular goal and focus of the Antis.

Having looked at ISACS more, and even if it's focus is on Govt held arms, I do not it think would take a great leap to twist its ethos against civilian shooters.

[ovenpaa]

Many thanks for the copy of the reply from David Penn Sandgroper, he certainly seems to know the subject well. Does anyone know anything about him?

[Sandgroper]

Doing a quick search suggests that David Penn was/is connected with The Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association http://www.hbsa-uk.isonlinehere.com/home.php?page_id=7

[dromia]

David Penn has been an intelligent stalwart in supporting firearms and shooting in the UK.

There is brief reference to ISACS in this months HBSA quarterly bulletin and revised drafts received, no mention of the SAAMI position> I suspect his report was drafted before the SAAMI minority report was announced.

There is also a report on the World Forum and the UN.

[Sandgroper]

David Penn has been an intelligent stalwart in supporting firearms and shooting in the UK.

There is brief reference to ISACS in this months HBSA quarterly bulletin and revised drafts received, no mention of the SAAMI position> I suspect his report was drafted before the SAAMI minority report was announced.

There is also a report on the World Forum and the UN.

Cheers.