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BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:43 am
by Sandgroper
http://www.basc.org.uk/en/utilities/doc ... 310D21E1D5
1) INTRODUCTION
1.0) With some 130,000 members, the British Association for Shooting and
Conservation (BASC) is regarded as the major UK representative body for
sporting shooting. BASC’s expertise on firearms matters is widely recognised
and we are routinely consulted by a variety of government departments and
agencies (including the Home Office, DEFRA, LANTRA, the Health and
Safety Commission) and other statutory and non-statutory bodies, e.g. the
Association of Chief Police Officers.
1.1) BASC is the only shooting association in the UK with a dedicated
Firearms Team. The team is widely recognised as having particular expertise
on all firearms matters – legal, practical and technical – as well as having a
forensic capacity.
1.2) BASC believes that any controls on firearms and related matters must
strike a balance between the legitimate aspirations of firearms users and the
need to ensure the safety of the public. However, such a balance must be
evidence-led, proportionate and consistent with the Human Rights Act 1998.
1.3) BASC welcomes the referral to the IPCC of the Peterlee shootings and
looks forward with interest to the Commission’s findings into the processes
surrounding the grant and subsequent renewals of Michael Atherton’s
certificates.
1.4) BASC makes this submission to the IPCC as a major stakeholder with an
interest in the outcome of any legislative or administrative changes that may
arise from the review of this tragic incident. Our response is also made from
the wider social perspective of wishing to see effective and fair controls
within the firearms licensing process for the preservation of public safety.
1.5) In order to assist the IPCC, this memorandum takes the form of skeleton
arguments. BASC is happy to expand on any aspect of it as well as providing
details of source material. This memorandum is NOT CONFIDENTIAL and
BASC welcomes its wider dissemination as part of the ongoing debate.
The rest of the document asks some interestering questions regarding the role of Durham Firearms Licencing Team and the suitability of Atherton to hold a SGC and FAC.
Re: BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:03 pm
by dromia
A damning indictment of Durham firearms licensing.
Be interesting to see if ACPO/the police close ranks on this.
Also interesting how BASC made it clear that it was the leading national shooting organisation and its credentials to support this, no mention at all about representing and speaking on behalf of other shooting organisations.
Wonder where the NRA are on this.
Re: BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:14 pm
by Sandgroper
dromia wrote:A damning indictment of Durham firearms licensing.
Be interesting to see if ACPO/the police close ranks on this.
Also interesting how BASC made it clear that it was the leading national shooting organisation and its credentials to support this, no mention at all about representing and speaking on behalf of other shooting organisations.
Wonder where the NRA are on this.
I noticed that as well.
Re: BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:32 pm
by bobbob
I await the reply, interesting reading.
Re: BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:01 am
by dodgyrog
I suspect that the NRA are not active in this at all. I think I'll write to Guy Trembath, our NRA rep. in the North to ask him what he is doing about it.
Re: BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:55 am
by Ovenpaa
They have other things on there minds I guess.
Re: BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:29 am
by Sandgroper
ovenpaa wrote:They have other things on there minds I guess.
That might be the case, but it doesn't look good from a National or membership point of view.
This is the first thing that you see on the BASC website and reading it you feel that this is an organisation that will take a proactive stance and will work for you as a member. (Well, I do!
)
This is what I was trying to get across on previous threads, that although the NRA might be doing work behind the scenes, they're not getting (or taking) any of the credit and that will cost them members current and potential.
Re: BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:08 am
by dodgyrog
Guy's reply:
Roger
Good to hear from you.
After an initial flurry of activity around the shooting at Peterlee, we have distanced ourselves from the incident. It has been reported quite widely that the weapon used was a shotgun and as such had no bearing on the class 1 FAC certification Mr Atherton held ( which was the primary focus of all the media enquiries I had ) .
The NRA’s policy on these matters was passed to all club secretaries in the form of a guidance email. In a nutshell , it advised all clubs not to respond or make formal comment on the shooting or anything to do with it, and to refer anyone to the NRA directly.
I can’t really comment on the redundancies because I am not privy to the actual process, however I can say that they have not been taken lightly and are unfortunately necessary. In the current economic downturn , all organisations need to maintain a strict control of costs and to seek savings where possible....The NRA is no different to any other in this respect.
If you have any other queries please don’t hesitate to ask.
Guy
Re: BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:58 pm
by Mike357
I know which "national" organisation I'd join if I was so inclined.
Re: BASC memorandum to IPCC on Peterlee shootings
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 1:23 pm
by 3bravo
i think the nra's stance on this is unfortunate, it seems in line with the response after hungerford and dunblane,ie. the weapons involved are not the core purpose of the nra. The anti's are not bothered if its a water pistol, airsoft or a nail gun, if the word gun , pistol or rifle is in the title, there should be a total ban, don't let the facts or truth get in they way of anti gun propaganda, without basc we will be manoevered into a corner where we will need to be criminals to possess any form of firearm
