3 replies to this topic

[Deek]

Does anyone have any new info on what the nats are up to now concerning ban

[thisdudeisgood]

Deek, on 08 September 2010 - 07:52 PM, said:

Does anyone have any new info on what the nats are up to now concerning ban

Hi, I cant find any more info at present. The topic seems to me to have be put on the back burner for a while, all I seem to be hearing about with regards to the Nats in the media is how they intend to go about delivering the Independence referendum in a minority government.

Lets hope that with all the more serious issues that the Nation faces with the looming cuts and Job losses and dire financial times ahead that the whole idea of banning airguns will be postponed for a good while yet.

From what I can see the general consensus is that if you buy or own an airgun now you won't be much affected as an outright ban would require massive amounts of compensation to paid to owners of the hardware in exchange for turning the weapons over. I can't vouch for this but its what some say.

Apparently they are looking at licencing new weapons purchased after X date but again we will wait and see. I feel an outright banning of all airweapons is probably unworkable and given the budget cuts arriving soon unfordable too! So lets hope we are still some way away from any potential banning.

For what It's worth I think an outright ban won't happen but that airweapons will be regulated in much the same way as shotguns are currently, which I suppose does make sense and responsible people have nothing to fear from this, only the minority of lunatics who make the headlines.

Hope this helps

[Dave66]

Not just lunatics mate. I have shot airguns for 30 years and never been in trouble with the police in my life. A couple of years ago I was refused a shotgun certificate as I have been treated for depression in the past. My illness never caused any hint of violence or anti social behaviour. Now I'm worried that the new law may stop me owning an air rifle.

Cheers

Dave.

[Andy]

I go with whit thisdudeisgood is saying Dave. Banning is unworkable and they could not afford to compensate every owner who might turn in a weapon or a collection of weapns. They jist could not afford to do it, there`s too many weapons in legitimate ownership in Scotland alone. With times bieng so hard and set to get worse, i think Alex Salmond and the other partys will come to realise (if they have`nt already) the revenue thats generated from air weapons in Scotland, not from manufacture as there are none left in Scotland apart from custom builders, but retail of air weapons has rocketed in Scotland over the past few years. Hence why we need to buy our weapons and other bits n bobs from Scottish retailers, it`s worth paying the wee bitty extra and support our retailers and our economy. Figures like those involved will have a positive influence on the politicians when the discussions do eventually get debated in the Scottish parliament.

As for the minority of eejits and youngsters who own and abuse ownership of air weapons, there`s no easy answer and they are certainly not going to hand anything in if it came to that. They should look at past examples like Dunblane (God rest them) and try and learn from it. Because an automatic hand gun was used they thought banning them in Scotland was the way to deal with it, as if it stopped the circulation of hand guns, i dinnae think so.

It`s a shame that you were refused a certificate because of your past depression Dave, i think people should at least be asessed who have suffered such afflictions/illnesses and as long as a person holds a certificate have intermittent asessment to keep it, or something along those lines. Recent events in Cumbria and suchlike dinnae help any in these situations.


Keep yer fingers crossed, sign the petition against the ban and get ony others ye can to sign to.

Andy.