FIREARMS REVIEW - CALL TO ARMS

Now’s the time for airgunners to voice their thoughts about keeping sub-12ft/lb airguns off ticket in the UK. Following the recent incidents in Cumbria and Northumbria, the Home Affairs Select Committee has announced it intends to hold a thorough inquiry into wider firearms law - and although there’s no evidence to suggest the government might bring in new licensing laws, it’s still important for the airgunning community to put its own case forward for ensuring it’s not even considered.

PM David Cameron - who has been much more rational in his reaction to the incidents than previous goverments have - has already stated that the situation calls for a well-thought out response. The BASC - Britain’s largest shooting organisation with over 130,000 memebers - is collecting evidence from the shooting community to present – and hopefully stand before to do so – the Home Affairs Select Committee. They are therefore are calling for the public to come forward and assist in encouraging the inquiry’s members to remember the value of airgun use in safe, responsible situations. These include promoting safe gun use at an early age – such as in schools or scout groups – pest control and in target tournament shooting.



Please be aware that the deadline for written evidence is later this month - 27th August.

Airgun Shooter’s own Ian Barnett has submitted the following (reproduced with his permission):

Dear Sirs

I would be grateful if you would consider the following evidence for maintaining the status-quo regarding firearm legislation and control.

I am a 53 year old Public Sector senior manager, responsible for delivering all front line services (refuse collection, grounds maintenance, street cleansing etc.) for Great Yarmouth Borough Council. I am accountable for over 200 personnel, many of whom (like me) find release from the rigours of public service in shooting or shooting-related activities. I consider myself to be a 'pillar of society'. Law abiding, mature and hard working.

I have enjoyed the privilege of being able to shoot air rifles (both legal limit and FAC rated) to control vermin on behalf of local landowners for many, many years .. having first picked up an airgun under supervision at the age of 14. I am a member of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). The air rifle and itís use has provided me with endless hours of enjoyment and has allowed me access into some of Norfolks most hidden corners at the bequest of landowners, to control vermin species and observe the songbirds and wildlife I help to conserve.

I also happen to be one of the UK's leading writers on airgun vermin control, contributing regularly to Airgun Shooter, Sporting Rifle, Countrymans Weekly .. and historically Airgunner and Shooting Times. I am proud to be associated with both BASC and the shooting press, who jointly promote responsible and safe shooting practice at all times. In my own articles, I always prescribe safe shooting principles and firmly believe that there is no such thing as a shooting accident. There can only be negligence .. or mis-use. Thankfully, the latter is rare and should be the subject of severe punishment. It should not pre-curse increased legislation against the 99.9% of compliant and responsible shooters.

It frustrates me that in enjoying spending my spare time shooting air rifles, I risk being stereotyped. Stereotyped by an uninformed media, public and (alas) some government departments who mistakenly associate ownership of a gun with criminal and anti-social behaviour. Recent events involving quite obviously 'disturbed' individuals haven't helped this, but I hope the Committee notes that there is no direct correlation between legitimate gun ownership and the 0.3% of reported crime pertaining to firearms. With regard airguns .. and you must forgive my bias towards evidencing the good safety record surrounding their ownership .. with over 4 million estimated to be in the public domain there are very few reports of mis-use. In every reported case which leads to conviction, there has never been evidence that legitimate users (competition shooters or pest controllers) have been responsible. In all cases that have come to my attention, the perpetrator has been a stereotypical individual .. normally urban, anti-social and not necessarily young. On that note, the last Governments move to raise the age of airgun ownership from 17 to 18 years of age was irrational, but was nevertheless accepted. How many deaths on public roads are attributable to 17 year old 'boy-racers' ? Yet the legal age for driving hasnít moved. Check your own evidence and you will find that not a single human death is attributable to a 17 year old with an airgun. So why such legislation?

The HAC will hopefully also consider other factors which would make further legislative change un-necessary, unachievable and unproductive. The shooting industry supports over 70,000 jobs and introduces a £1.6 billion revenue stream to the UK. Target shooting is a recognised Olympic sport .. and we're actually quite good at it! The shooting fraternity, from top to bottom, contributes hugely to conservation of wildlife and habitat .. including funding those habitats to the tune of £250 million per year.

Those 4 million or more airguns? How could a retrospective ban be enforced or policed? The potential criminalisation of so many law abiding owners (by proxy) would not serve the public interest. Nor is it necessary. Licensing of all airguns would be equally unachievable in a time when the Government is proposing further cuts to policing budgets .. and no doubt the task would fall to the police. Current licensing of airguns with power above 12 fpe (i.e. needing a Firearms Certificate) is understandable and accepted by the shooting community. Any firearm with the potential to definitely cause harm ought to be acquired subject to registration and enquiry .. I know few shooters who would deny this and the law as it stands is quite adequate. My own experience with FAC applications supports this, with several very informative visits from the Norfolk police and advice from the Firearms Officer on safety and storage. However, low power (sub-12 fpe) airguns are fit for the purpose of safe short-range vermin control or target competition shooting and need so such licensing.

On the subject of guns in general, David Cameron quite rightly stated after Whitehaven that you cannot legislate against the irrational or unpredictable.

Would we ban (or license) Stanley knives, carpenters hammers, icepicks, pickaxe handles, pillows (yes .. pillows) or any other implement that has been used occasionally and insanely to cause harm to another human? Of course we wouldnít. There is no sober reason to legislate further than we already have around firearms in the UK.

I am passionate about my sport. I write passionately about my sport. I promote the safe, responsible use of air rifles. I firmly believe that the majority of airgun owners are safe too. I am available to talk to any Committee member on the phone and am also willing to give verbal evidence (day job allowing!) at this inquiry.

Ian Barnett