Four things happened that increased the number of illegal guns in the UK.

1) The USSR imploded on itself - Result - Lots of poor people with access to saleable guns.

2) Northern Ireland found peace - Result - Lots of people who previously had a lot of power when they had a cause wanted to keep the standard of living they had become used to equals lots of saleable guns. Why do you think they never agreed to decommision all the weapons? Worth too much money perchance?

3) Eastern European countries allowed into EU - Lots of poor people with access to saleable guns with the added bonus of free movement of people and goods across borders.

4) It became fashionable to be a W****R (sorry I meant Gangsta). Disaffected kids living on sink estates with no future feel empowered by by a 9Millie in the waistband.

I do believe that none of the above situations was caused by anyone in Britain who wanted to do a bit of pest control or put some free range organic meat on the table.

Please feel free to agree/ disagree/discus.

Off my soap box now.