Well to me anyway! I had the the chance to talk to Mr MacAskill last night, so you can guess my first question - will there be a ban in Scotland? He gave me an emphatic 'no'.
Most of what he said we already know, ie only people with a genuine reason to own an airgun should have one eg club members, pest control etc... He reckoned shooters such as myself had nothing to worry about.
He suggested there might be some control over sales of airguns in future, but only if the Scottish Government gains the power to do so.
I got the impression that his real passion lies in getting firearms legislation devolved to Scotland so it can be updated.
I know he gets a bit of stick on here (me included), but i have to say thanks to him for taking the time to talk to me.
Falcon Prairie Bm 19", Leupold VX-II 4-12x40AO, Deben Atom Tactical, Harris 9-13 bipod
BASC member
What kind of shooter are you mate?
He has said this before that club members and those using them for pest control will be able to keep airguns, while "club members" is straight forward I'm not so sure about "pest control"
He could quite easily be referring to professional pest controllers therefore effectively banning airgun hunting.
I know this is being sceptical but I don't trust any of these people one tiny bit.
And what does he want to do with firearms law in Scotland if he doesn't want to ban airguns is the next question?
It's a power grab pure & simple.
In reality, they're not interested in airguns or shooting at all. They simply want any powers they can get devolved to Scotland.
They just think that airguns & shooting are of such low interest to Westminster that they've got the most chance of being thrown this particular crumb.
Also, with the potential to throw in a few emotive arguments, they probably also think it could possibly win them a few votes - but that's a side issue.
Air Armed
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Exactly what I think...Originally Posted by DJP
Interesting enough DJP someone else suggested this to me last night i.e. the SNP are looking to gain as much power as they can from Westminster, it doesn't matter what it is.
When he spoke to NBBairn last night he did state that there may be some control of airgun sales in the future suggesting licensing.
How can you tell a politician is lying? his lips move! seriously folks I hope this is true & legitimate scottish airgunners can keep there guns. fingers crossed!
He's said similar before, that he's not looking at a total ban and that those who have club membership or use them for pest control wouldn't be targetted. But as has been pointed out, he hasn't specified what type of pest control and I'm sure it was mentioned that the club membership thing meant leaving your guns at the club. Still sounds like draconian rubbish to me and of course would mean an end to garden plinking which cuts out a hell of a lot of people who enjoy the sport without the rigmarole.
Exactly junglie!
Don't think that this means were off the hook, keep writing the emails and protesting against this at every opportunity.
What he said last night seems to to contradict what was said to SARPA by Dr. McKee on behalf of the SNP though.
He said they would be an outright ban unless an alternative proposal was put forward by SARPA, MacAskill has just said there will not be a ban.
After the lather we all worked up this sounds too good to be true. Did you get a recording of this statement in case he goes back on it?Well to me anyway! I had the the chance to talk to Mr MacAskill last night, so you can guess my first question - will there be a ban in Scotland? He gave me an emphatic 'no'.
Most of what he said we already know, ie only people with a genuine reason to own an airgun should have one eg club members, pest control etc... He reckoned shooters such as myself had nothing to worry about.
He suggested there might be some control over sales of airguns in future, but only if the Scottish Government gains the power to do so.
I got the impression that his real passion lies in getting firearms legislation devolved to Scotland so it can be updated.
I know he gets a bit of stick on here (me included), but i have to say thanks to him for taking the time to talk to me.
IanR
Daystate MK4 S .177 ~ Steyr LP2 ~ Brno Tau-7
He's said stuff like this before but the next week he's saying "outright ban"
This may well be the fault of the media and he may use phrases like "outright ban" to sound good when he actually means licensing but nevertheless don't get too confident yet.
i do pest control (unpaid) on 2 farms. I don't do clubs or target shoots. I asked if what i do was considered a legit reason for ownership and he said yes.
It wasn't recorded as i'd switched the mics off by then
Personally, I don't think that the agenda is to stop everyone owning an airgun, but i do think that a tightening up on ownership is the future...
We need to really push the safety/lock it up campaign to show that we can police the sport ourselves
Falcon Prairie Bm 19", Leupold VX-II 4-12x40AO, Deben Atom Tactical, Harris 9-13 bipod
BASC member
It could be a diversionary tactic, trying to blow a side issue out of proportion to hide something bigger. Try and get a bit of national pride at stake, Westminster too big for it's boots type stuff.
In truth, the Scots seem to have control of Westminster at the mo', but whaddya do?
It's obviously good that your own reason for ownership is one that is acceptable to the SNP. But I believe it's the airgun owners apparently not acceptable to the SNP that are key to the future of airgunning as we know it; the plinkers and the back garden target shooters that introduce many young people to the fun side of airguns, who then go on to enjoy the sport/hobby more seriously as adults.i do pest control (unpaid) on 2 farms. I don't do clubs or target shoots. I asked if what i do was considered a legit reason for ownership and he said yes.
It wasn't recorded as i'd switched the mics off by then
Personally, I don't think that the agenda is to stop everyone owning an airgun, but i do think that a tightening up on ownership is the future...
We need to really push the safety/lock it up campaign to show that we can police the sport ourselves
It's easy for the SNP to draw a line between responsible club members and pest controllers and the mindless idiots who shoot at people and pets. The real battle is over the middle ground. The question is how hard the representatives of shooting will fight for it.
Vintage Diana Forum ... Vintage BSA Forum
..Above links posted with permission from Gareth W-B
In British slang an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest in niche subjects.
Mmm...yeah.
I hope the people representing the sport wont give up on plinkers and back garden gunners.
It would be very easy for them to say "well club shooters and hunters are safe so we're happy with that"
Hopefully they don't give concessions and leave an important part of the community out in the cold.
If you remember the fool Tommy "the tan" made of himself re pest control I'd think every politician in Scotland is well aware of the potential cost of pest control should it have to be funded by central governments or if the ability to conduct your own was withdrawn.
The man of independent mind, just looks and laughs at awe that
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