8 replies to this topic

[SARPA]

Below is the latest feedback from BASC on the SNP "Airgun" position .
SARPA will continue to build on its relations with all the major organisations to protect our pastime.

Regards
Graham @ SARPA
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Dear Graham, Firstly thank you to you and SARPA members for supporting the BASC Political Campaign Website. Over 40% of all elected MSPs stated their support through the site which is a fantastic result and has hopefully served to raise the profile of shooting. Secondly I thought you might be interested in the response that we recieved from some SNP candidates on the subject of airguns... We do believe that a licensing system for airguns is necessary as action must be taken to ensure that only those who have legitimate need for them have access to them. BASC members would count under this definition, and it would be a priority in drafting legislation to ensure this was the case. We simply cannot however continue with a free-for-all where any individual can buy these potentially dangerous weapons.



I believe that it will be vital for our organisations to work closely together throughout the Scotland Bill to ensure that if/when the power to legislate on airguns is transferred to the Scottish Parliament we can acheive something sensible for our members. If you were willing we could put together a memorandum of understanding between BASC and SARPA?



Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you soon.



Best regards,



Nicolle

Nicolle Hamilton LLB (Hons)

Press and Policy Officer

BASC Scotland

[Davie_M]

so being in BASC is a good reason to own an air gun pull the other one

[Strike Team]

Davie_M, on 12 May 2011 - 06:56 PM, said:

so being in BASC is a good reason to own an air gun pull the other one

If we've got this in writing we can use this to hold the SNP to their word in due course if the Scottish government decides to licence air guns.

[Scoch]

Strike Team, on 12 May 2011 - 09:16 PM, said:

If we've got this in writing we can use this to hold the SNP to their word in due course if the Scottish government decides to licence air guns.

Sorry, you will not hold any politician to their word as it is irrelevant to their job.

As I read this it is a good thing but would appear to be a memo of understanding between BASC and SARPA nothing to do with any political party.

The SNP have said in their manifesto that they INTEND to license air weapons. When I asked their candidate re this he did not appear to have a clue about anything to do with air weapons at all and the Calman report passed straight over his head.

The SNP like any political party will try to do the thing that they think the majority of their voters want, wether its right or wrong doesnt really make any difference to them. If they think it will get them votes they will do it, as would any other party.

Davie_M, on 12 May 2011 - 06:56 PM, said:

so being in BASC is a good reason to own an air gun pull the other one

I see where your coming from here Davie, BASC are trying to suggest that if you have paid your membership to them you will get a licence. If only, I cannot see why being a member of an organisation other than a shooting club or syndicate can give be a good reason.

Anyone else got any ideas re this?

[Projmanraz]

IMHO and if / when licensing comes in then it seems to me that folk who own air rifles should have a reasonable reason for doing so. Being a member of a shooting club or shooting organisation may be reasonable. Folk who aren't members of shooting clubs or organisations may need to join one or justify ownership by vermin control or hunting. So good old BASC, SARPA, RAC, AA, WI, Scouts, BB, Masons, Co-op whatever - get in there so we aren't too restricted on which organisations count to give a reasonable reason for having an airgun!

I don't think that getting a license initially will be difficult. It will give our lords and masters information on how many air weapons there are and in whose hands. Their agents (plod) will be able to stop anyone with a gun and ask for their license, FFD's presumably won't be able to sell you a gun without a license (unless they are South of Gretna) and woe betide anyone that doesn't have one after the amnesty period.

Whilst I am dead set against restriction of sub 12ftlb air weapons if / when licensing comes in then I don't think legitimate users have too much to fear other than the cost of a license. I know in my heart of hearts that this won't stop the neds from shooting cats, swans and each other but perhaps (and hopefully) not having a license may mean that they are dealt with harshly and properly by the law and the news media can state 'did it using an unlicensed air weapon' so we don't all keep getting tarred with the same brush.

Ralph

[Scoch]

Funnily enough Ralph Im not against the licensing part jsut can't see how it can be administered.

I would have been much more supportive of any party that came to the table with a promise that the current strict legislation is actually enforced and those caught breaking these laws are dealt with by the courts with the full powers at their disposal.

[Rick O'Shea]

hear, hear. if the present laws are not aministered correctly / enforced, then bringing in new laws does not make sense. as far as the licence goes - not a bad idea, but if made too difficult then people will get rid of their guns to whoever will buy them (most likely with no licence) and then we have hundreds, if not thousands of weapons in the wrong hands.

[Projmanraz]

Steve

I've always been against more legislation and having the current laws applied but we have to face facts - the SNP have a majority and control of airguns by whatever means is going to be popular with the electorate and will happen. It will be imposed and we, the responsible owners, will pay for it however it is administered. Remember what happened when CB radio became legit? The £27 CB licence came in overnight and legit users just bought legal kit and paid the fee. A lot more gave up their much better illegal sets and stopped transmitting.

I'm for lobbying by individuals, any and all shooting organisations so let them have their memos of understanding - with luck and hard work they may be able to influence the legislation in our favour. Keep up the good work!

Last weekend we were hosts to the Scotland / England HFT competition. I wonder if we'll be able to invite them up again once licensing comes in without our English friends being in danger of flouting the Scottish air gun laws?

Cheers!

Ralph

[Kenny]

I still think that SCAC (brococks) was a test!
You simply restrict a weapon and make it legal but only if you apply for a licence!!!

The vast majority won't bother, those who do (probably less than 5%) have to shell out for a cabinet and admin costs, whilst the idiots, neds & criminals just carry on as normal!!!

Licensing won't work & the police don't and can't make it work!

Don't give in and erode more of your rights!!
Forget the Scottish government, the power still lies with Westminster, start lobbying them to retain firearms legislation!