Call for airgun licencing in England

[TORNADOS7]

In my view we should oppose licensing of any description. Once we start down that road the licensing conditions (and fees!) will only get more onerous. One of the benefits of airgun shooting is that we can learn to shoot responsibly from a young age in our back gardens, without the hassle and cost of applying for a licence. If licenses were introduced it may well reduce the amount of new shooters into the sport, not just for airgun shooting but shooting in general. Perhaps that's the intention in some circles?

Many shooters start with airguns and then develop an interest in other forms of shooting. With the need for a license they may not bother jumping through the hoops to start airgunning in the first place. It would also appear that shooting in a back garden is not even a legitimate reason for obtaining a license in Scotland. It's also not clear whether having a license via club membership will allow shooting at home if the garden is not deemed suitable. Many people don't want to join clubs in any case but only want to shoot informally at home.

I may be wrong but my impression is that airgunning is less popular with younger people today than it was when I was growing up. With the need for licensing, this already reduced entry into the sport will further reduce demand for airguns, reduce R & D into all the fancy gear we use, reduce the number of clubs and ultimately reduce the health of the shooting industry as a whole. It will be interesting to see what effect licensing has in Scotland on the shooting industry and the amount of airgun clubs in a few years time.

Ultimately the problem is one of people acting irresponsibly. It has been said many times before that further penalising law abiding citizens, when criminals by their very definition don't care about the law, is not the way to tackle the problem. Gun crime has increased massively since Dunblane despite the banning of handguns. The solution in my view is the proper enforcement of existing laws and meaningful sentences to deter misuse in the first place. I also don't think you will get any disagreement from the cat charities etc on this point and could build common ground to tackle the problem without the knee jerk reaction of restricting ownership.

The problem I see is that I really don't think we're gonna get away with it scot free, what I'm interested in is trying to accomplish a middle ground which is why I personally wouldn't be opposed to some official form of 'owner registration document' rather than a full blown licence...

[Jerry Cornelius]

Just a little something for you guys to mull over, what exactly is it that we are opposed to, is it actually having to have a license in the first place or is it more about the possible terms and conditions of said license that we're concerned about ?...

Both. Obviously the second point is a major issue, because even if unlike Scotland no great restrictions are placed on who or why you can have a license at first, gradually the screw will be tightened. First plinking goes, then powder burner levels of security, then the fees go up, you know the score. Gradually it dies on the vine.

But the main point is the obvious one that a licence won't stop the already criminal misuse of airguns, and I don't see why my use of airguns either on my private property or at a club is any more the business of the state than any of the thousands of other harmless past times that the people of the UK choose to spend their time doing. Given the level of safety involved there is considerable LESS risk to life and limb from responsible airgun shooting than from a lot of other activities. So no disrespect to politicians or the police but I don't want their permission before I do it, thanks all the same.

[Barryg]

Just so you know, I did 12 'responses' to various media outlets, radio, newspaper and an, obviously bonkers lady with some blog or other that really shouldn't be allowed near anything sharp , and I have established contact with the Cats Protection League with a view to discussing this issue directly.

The plain fact is, we both want the same thing, here - the elimination of cat-shooting and the proper punishment of those who do it - so there must be a case for cooperation, rather than a pointless war and a campaign that seeks to punish the law-abiding and does nothing to prevent the problem.

It's early days but so far, dialogue is positive and I remain hopeful that something truly workable can be achieved.

In the mean time, please keep all responses to this issue, wherever you post them, responsible and properly thought through. The media watches this and other forums and any untoward comments could be used against us. We know we're good people, so please let's make sure everyone out there knows that, too.

Terry I think you are doing the right thing
We are on to a looser if airgunners are seen as enjoying killing.
things like this is how we should be seen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylx6...e_gdata_player

because airgunning can be beneficial to society as the old young and handicapped can compete, but if we get it wrong it will be gone, and we know that really.

[short-carabine]

Just so you know, I did 12 'responses' to various media outlets, radio, newspaper and an, obviously bonkers lady with some blog or other that really shouldn't be allowed near anything sharp , and I have established contact with the Cats Protection League with a view to discussing this issue directly.

The plain fact is, we both want the same thing, here - the elimination of cat-shooting and the proper punishment of those who do it - so there must be a case for cooperation, rather than a pointless war and a campaign that seeks to punish the law-abiding and does nothing to prevent the problem.

It's early days but so far, dialogue is positive and I remain hopeful that something truly workable can be achieved.

In the mean time, please keep all responses to this issue, wherever you post them, responsible and properly thought through. The media watches this and other forums and any untoward comments could be used against us. We know we're good people, so please let's make sure everyone out there knows that, too.

Wise words indeed, Terry. Things are not helped by the "anti-cat" brigade on here really, whinging on about their begonia beds and the like. Red Kites fly over and do their business in my garden and on the car...but that's just life

[lensman57]

There is another thread further up the list about " Deadly Kits For AirGuns " in a national newspaper.
The Drums of " licencing " which in the end means banning or severe restriction of access to air guns have started sounding again. We can not take these sitting down and not be serious about a stiff challenge.
It is obvious that the media, the Police or other interested parties read gun related forums. Mr Doe's comments are sensible and responsible but we tend to forget that when it comes to air guns or what is now being called " air weapons " in Scotland we are dealing with hysteria, misplaced emotion and hidden political agenda rather than logic. In view of all this our response should be coherent and robust as well as other things that have been mentioned.
They are trying to achieve an aim but punishing the innocent rather than the guilty. This can not be allowed to happen no matter how responsible we are and be seen to be to the ignorant public as far as the shooting matters are concerned.
My other fear is that in trying to engage with opposition to resolve disputed matters we are also empowering all the fringe lunatics that attach themselves to the main opposition. This will in the end take power and consequently our rights away from us. Perhaps in the absence of a sympathetic statement from the government of the day, that will be inevitable.

Kind Regards to all,

A.G

[greebo_Brat]

Just as I start taking an interest in the old springer I have again (Webley hawk mk2) and thinking about buying a more modern one (for plinking), I don't have a car and believe local public transport doesn't allow air rifles to be carried? I'm 5 miles from Bisley annoyingly enough) this comes up ..

[snock]

Just as I start taking an interest in the old springer I have again (Webley hawk mk2) and thinking about buying a more modern one (for plinking), I don't have a car and believe local public transport doesn't allow air rifles to be carried? I'm 5 miles from Bisley annoyingly enough) this comes up ..

Pay it no mind. The CPL have tried for 20 years to put them under a license and yet here were are...still.

[greebo_Brat]

Pay it no mind. The CPL have tried for 20 years to put them under a license and yet here were are...still.

Except now they have precedence, north of the border

[snock]

Except now they have precedence, north of the border

They've always been batty. Plus, they fear another revolt.

[johnbaz]

Thats not what i meant. I meant that while the authorities would like us to stop plinking in our back gardens, i dont believe its enforceable due to it being orivate proprty. As long as the pellets do not leave the boundary and you are not causing a noise nuisance, its possibly a grey area open to misinterpretation just like the 'within 50m of a carriageway' legislation that is often debated.
No it will not be a reason to own, but i cant see them being able to stop you from doing what you want on private property.

I'm pretty sure it's still 50 feet and not metres

Also, If memory serves it's from the centre of the highway



John

[GoodWILLHunting]

I'm pretty sure it's still 50 feet and not metres

Also, If memory serves it's from the centre of the highway



John

Thats right, 50' from the centre line or middle if it's a single track, but it's only an offence if someone takes offence.

Shooting "over" (thats "across" for the pedantic sod posse ) a carriageway on the other hand is an offence regardless if someone complains or not.