The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

BASC initial responce.

https://basc.org.uk/blog/press-releases ... sultation/

HH1 wrote:I wish we lived in a country where it was possible to promote our sport and put ourselves out there in the public eye as legitimate gun owners enjoying our chosen sport just like anyone else..... but it is not safe to do so.

I cringe when I see BASC stickers on cars at the local MOD range (which is on open view to the general public)... and then the members drive in convoy to the local pub and step out wearing tweed or combats.... it's not difficult for criminals to work out that this group of people are a shooting party who are likely to have guns and for them to either break into the vehicles or follow individual members home.

Perhaps I am being over-cautious, but we have had a fair number of club members followed home, assaulted in their driveways and guns stolen because a certain RFD wasn't careful enough with personal data.

Same if you happen to drive an M4 BMW or Defender and so on. You can easily become a target just because of an item you own. I'd suggest a car or other items make you a bigger target than owning guns. I'm not saying that you shouldn't be cautious about retaining your firearms from theft but I think it's an example of the world we live in.

HH1 wrote:I wish we lived in a country where it was possible to promote our sport and put ourselves out there in the public eye as legitimate gun owners enjoying our chosen sport just like anyone else..... but it is not safe to do so.

I cringe when I see BASC stickers on cars at the local MOD range (which is on open view to the general public)... and then the members drive in convoy to the local pub and step out wearing tweed or combats.... it's not difficult for criminals to work out that this group of people are a shooting party who are likely to have guns and for them to either break into the vehicles or follow individual members home.

Perhaps I am being over-cautious, but we have had a fair number of club members followed home, assaulted in their driveways and guns stolen because a certain RFD wasn't careful enough with personal data.

I appreciate the concern, although I suspect the easiest way to find / get guns is to follow people home after a range session or clay ground. After all, they'd be disappointed if all the guns were stored elsewhere, at heritage sites or away for repair etc.

As for me, I'm conscious of security - and would be surprised if anyone tried anything, due to a number of circumstances / precautions.

HH1 wrote:I wish we lived in a country where it was possible to promote our sport and put ourselves out there in the public eye as legitimate gun owners enjoying our chosen sport just like anyone else..... but it is not safe to do so.

I cringe when I see BASC stickers on cars at the local MOD range (which is on open view to the general public)... and then the members drive in convoy to the local pub and step out wearing tweed or combats.... it's not difficult for criminals to work out that this group of people are a shooting party who are likely to have guns and for them to either break into the vehicles or follow individual members home.

Perhaps I am being over-cautious, but we have had a fair number of club members followed home, assaulted in their driveways and guns stolen because a certain RFD wasn't careful enough with personal data.

That is one hell of a statement , can you be more specific on the location so that we can all avoid it ?

Sim G wrote:Seriously. Do you use a mobile phone in the street? Do you wear a watch or jewellery? Drive a nice car, live in a nice area or even wear nice trainers? It's not difficult to come to attention of criminals in everything you do.

And as for cringing when you see a BASC sticker on a car at the range?!!

Shooting is NOT a criminal, unlawful or perverted activity. Stop behaving as if you have a "dirty" secret!

Yes, I do wear expensive watches and have plenty of other "nice" things..... but apart from my Jeep Wrangler, if they are stolen, the criminals aren't going to potentially kill or hurt other people with them are they?

I am FULLY aware that our sport is lawful and that gun owners are by definition some of the most law-abiding citizens around..... but that does not protect us from the criminals if we are stupid enough to publicly broadcast what we own.

As regards the BASC stickers..... you might as well have a sticker saying "I'm a gun owner" on the back of your car...... perfectly legal to do so.... but not much fun if your at risk of being followed home or run off the road in a quiet country lane because you have advertised to criminals the fact that you are a potential gun owner and an easy target.....

Just my opinion of course

HH1 wrote:

Sim G wrote:Seriously. Do you use a mobile phone in the street? Do you wear a watch or jewellery? Drive a nice car, live in a nice area or even wear nice trainers? It's not difficult to come to attention of criminals in everything you do.

And as for cringing when you see a BASC sticker on a car at the range?!!

Shooting is NOT a criminal, unlawful or perverted activity. Stop behaving as if you have a "dirty" secret!

Yes, I do wear expensive watches and have plenty of other "nice" things..... but apart from my Jeep Wrangler, if they are stolen, the criminals aren't going to potentially kill or hurt other people with them are they?

I am FULLY aware that our sport is lawful and that gun owners are by definition some of the most law-abiding citizens around..... but that does not protect us from the criminals if we are stupid enough to publicly broadcast what we own.

As regards the BASC stickers..... you might as well have a sticker saying "I'm a gun owner" on the back of your car...... perfectly legal to do so.... but not much fun if your at risk of being followed home or run off the road in a quiet country lane because you have advertised to criminals the fact that you are a potential gun owner and an easy target.....

Just my opinion of course

And mine too.

All firearms are either in the boot or if too long, inside the car fully covered. NEVER left unattended, if I need fuel, I fill up when there are no firearms in the car.

Always move the firearms to the car discreetly, carried low down and not obviously such as over the shoulder.

Geek wrote:
And mine too.

All firearms are either in the boot or if too long, inside the car fully covered. NEVER left unattended, if I need fuel, I fill up when there are no firearms in the car.

Always move the firearms to the car discreetly, carried low down and not obviously such as over the shoulder.

That does amuse me... I know you're "anonymous" on here, but as someone said in a previous post, its always possible to find out who you are....

... and you proudly announce in your sig what guns you have... a burglars shopping list..!!

Daryll wrote:

Geek wrote:
And mine too.

All firearms are either in the boot or if too long, inside the car fully covered. NEVER left unattended, if I need fuel, I fill up when there are no firearms in the car.

Always move the firearms to the car discreetly, carried low down and not obviously such as over the shoulder.

That does amuse me... I know you're "anonymous" on here, but as someone said in a previous post, its always possible to find out who you are....

... and you proudly announce in your sig what guns you have... a burglars shopping list..!!

Made me chuckle as well....

Also, I'd offer that carrying down low, isn't that discreet, better to hold vertically, tight to the body, either to front or one side, using arm(s) to wrap around/cover - just looks like a person walking then with no obvious 'gun case' shape easy to see in full view, which it is, when carried, say single handed and horiz, even down low.

You would like to think, that for once, every section of the shooting community will pull together on this one.
I don't want a .50cal, nor do I see myself ever wanting one, but I think this recent move shows how eager the home office is to try and slip new laws in.
If large cal is banned, would long range be next? I'm proud of what I do, I've worked hard for what I have, so I think it's time to start letting the politicians know we are a credible voting entity.

Spend an hour of your evening and get in touch with your MP, PCC and organisation, it may not be your time yet, but whats around the corner!
Be positive,
Colin

I've already got in touch with my local PCC. I am looking forward to the response.