So you make my point: once Police get involved it never goes away.
The Police have a notorious reputation for over reacting on gun related issues. Sometimes for good reason, and sometimes a little more thought might have helped. Tough call for the Police, they don't need the extra work when its not completely necessary.
Thankfully, they have generally stopped swooping down with swat team and helicopter on pigeon shooters sitting in a field protecting crops; all from some "report of people with guns in a field".
There have been other incidents too.
We all know the legislation on toy guns (airsoft replicas) was not for public safety but because the Police didn't want to ever have to shoot someone with a toy gun again; and have to explain it all let alone a policeman have to live with that fact. (Criminals will just spray the brightly coloured replicas with a £6 can of paint. The law abiding public are now denied the pleasure of collecting such toys, or joining a reenactment or airsoft club. The Police can now shoot with confidence that its not a toy )