Benjamin is making a film.

[Fedaykin]

Yep if the request had been "Can you talk about shooting sports and how you see it as a positive aspect of your life" then OK. When the request is:

"Benjamin would like to interview you for the documentary - particularly if you believe there is some validity in the self defence aspect of firearms ownership. Short deadline."

Then sorry this is clearly trying to draw out people to make us look unhinged. However a reasoned and cogent an argument you make a savvy program editor will use what you say and edit it in such a way to show you in a bad light.

Who was that guy with a website who occasionally posts here that went onto a UK national television daytime talk show and called for concealed carry?

[Fedaykin]

Found it .. Graham Showell. Oh and Mike Yardley defending the sport

[SevenSixTwo]

...Then sorry this is clearly trying to draw out people to make us look unhinged.

How do you know this?

Coherent arguments for carry can be made here in the UK but we're all so terrified of the power we've let our government have that we won't speak on 'fringe' matters for fear of losing what little we have left. That's where we've allowed ourselves to end up.

[Fedaykin]

Nothing to do with the power of the government. We live in a parliamentary democracy something I still believe in not a tyranny.

Nevertheless there is virtually no public or political support for it so why rock the boat?

I don't trust a program editor when they are asking British sports shooters to talk on such matters however cogent or coherent an argument you think that can be made.

[Fedaykin]

Also I think saddler made a very good point, if Benjamin wants to know about self defence with guns in the UK with pistols then he should go to Northern Ireland. Also while he is there the fact that pistol shooting continues without a threat to public safety should be investigated.

[RDC]

...Then sorry this is clearly trying to draw out people to make us look unhinged.

How do you know this?

Experience from other hobbies that are also not considered socially acceptable.

I suppose the best example would be those re-enactment guys who were interviewed with leading questions, and then thier responses were edited out of context to make them look like neo-nazis to fit an agenda.

[SevenSixTwo]

Also I think saddler made a very good point, if Benjamin wants to know about self defence with guns in the UK with pistols then he should go to Northern Ireland. Also while he is there the fact that pistol shooting continues without a threat to public safety should be investigated.

Exactly what we suggested he should do. You see, we engaged with him. Most here just tutted their disapproval.

If we get a bad rap from the documentary then so be it. At least, being on a 'mainstream' outlet we might just get some coverage for our sport - instead of hiding ourselves away like we always do.

[Fedaykin]

SevenSixTwo I am all for being loud and proud promoting our sport but I also see ZERO point talking about or discussing with the press something that will NEVER be allowed in our current political system and has pretty much close to zero political or public support.

Arguing for concealed carry defense in the UK is a non starter that only harms our sport in the eyes of the public.

My position with those in UK sports shooting who argue for it is this:

What is the legislative path to it and what hurdles would have to be jumped? There is no way that it would ever find parliamentary support...period...end of...no point arguing about it! You would be more likely to get the Death Penalty reinstated.
Sorry better to be blunt on such matters. But I just don't trust a British program editor on the BBC to EVER give us a fair and reasoned showing on such an emotive matter.

[Gazoo]

Also I think saddler made a very good point, if Benjamin wants to know about self defence with guns in the UK with pistols then he should go to Northern Ireland. Also while he is there the fact that pistol shooting continues without a threat to public safety should be investigated.

Exactly what we suggested he should do. You see, we engaged with him. Most here just tutted their disapproval.

If we get a bad rap from the documentary then so be it. At least, being on a 'mainstream' outlet we might just get some coverage for our sport - instead of hiding ourselves away like we always do.

FFS
do I take it that you have spoken to this bloke ?
what is the point in discussing fantasy concealed carry or self defence, when the great British public DO NOT trust YOU with a pistol....did IQs suddenly drop round here? did you discuss der 9mm's man, and der Uzis as well??

[Gazoo]