BASC and the airgun consultation

[bhodge]

BASC boasts 150,00 members, lets hope all members respond

To me, the result of this consultation will be an indicator as to the effectiveness of BASC as a representative body in the UK. The implementation of licencing in Scotland must be regarded as a "fail" for all the anti-licensing fraternity - BASC included. Fingers crossed that common sense prevails in the debating rooms in Parliament, and that the air rifle shooter gets a fair, unbiased reception.

[RichardH]

BASC boasts 150,00 members, lets hope all members respond

Have a look at the fox hunting thread and consider why the Countryside Alliance members would be overly supportive.

Similarly look at any of the pheasant shooting threads, bearing in mind that's the majority of BASC's 150,000 member base shoot driven game.

Airgunners can be their own worst enemies

[Aimstraight]

Here's the email the countryside alliance just sent me. Noted their response is currently in draft format!

....There is no evidence that the introduction of licensing will have any effect on those that wish to use air weapons illegally.....

Overall a very positive draft response, but the above sentence should be in bold, italic, and underlined! An emphasis on education would also help. Dare say most air gun clubs would be willing to offer free introduction on safe handling and storage...as opposed to any draconian measure such as a mandatory licensing system!

[Aimstraight]

How many active members here

The homepage states 41,874 members! That might mean total numbers since bbs started, so maybe fewer active members, and fewer still that are solely into airguns.

The poll suggests at least 66 have responded

[lensman57]

The homepage states 41,874 members! That might mean total numbers since bbs started, so maybe fewer active members, and fewer still that are solely into airguns.

The poll suggests at least 66 have responded

As against the 70000 odd signatures of the Cat Protection League that was collected in less than 4 weeks.

A.G

[danco1987]

A quick click on a petition is a lot easier to do than providing a reasoned, evidence based response to the consultation.

[bighit]

As against the 70000 odd signatures of the Cat Protection League that was collected in less than 4 weeks.

A.G

"Last year over 90,000 people signed an online and paper petition calling for the licensing of air guns in England and Wales, showing the depth of public feeling on the issue. Our hope is that as many people as possible email the Government in support of air gun licensing so that we can make the whole of the UK a safer place for cats, animals and human beings."

So if they get that amount just calling for licensing ,How many will respond to the consultation ? Unless its a number picked out of the air for a cause.

If a proportionate amount of airgun owners do not reply then it COULD be a poke in the eye with a poopy stick for them and No one to blame but themselves if they did not respond.

[bighit]

The homepage states 41,874 members! That might mean total numbers since bbs started, so maybe fewer active members, and fewer still that are solely into airguns.

The poll suggests at least 66 have responded

Any idea of how many others have responded on other forums or are they even doing a Poll ?

[Aimstraight]

Any idea of how many others have responded on other forums or are they even doing a Poll ?

I have not looked.

The bbs poll now shows that 68 have responded out of a membership of over 41,000; so that's less than 0.2%

[danco1987]

Lots on the airgunforum

[12/200]

A quick click on a petition is a lot easier to do than providing a reasoned, evidence based response to the consultation.

Petitions are just that & have no relevant power.
100,000 letters to your MP will get them to take notice
The response of members here, appears to be somewhat lacking

[bighit]

I have not looked.

The bbs poll now shows that 68 have responded out of a membership of over 41,000; so that's less than 0.2%

How many on the BBS actually shoot ? there is a quite a few in non airgun that don't even have airguns by their own admission . plus there is lots of people from abroad that it ill not affect so they may not respond .

And just because it says there's 41.000 members ,A lot of those members have hardly been online for years .

[Aimstraight]

How many on the BBS actually shoot ? there is a quite a few in non airgun that don't even have airguns by their own admission . plus there is lots of people from abroad that it ill not affect so they may not respond .

And just because it says there's 41.000 members ,A lot of those members have hardly been online for years .

Yes, 41k is the headline, probably far fewer that are active airgun members.....but probably a lot more than 70 (latest poll)!

[bighit]

Yes, 41k is the headline, probably far fewer that are active airgun members.....but probably a lot more than 70 (latest poll)!

There will be more than 70 yes , But they may just think it will blow over as it has in the past . More fool them if it does change and they will be affected. The same happened up here .