Airgun crackdown?

Burnsy2023 · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:18

Recently, I've seen a lot in the news about airgun related crime. There's no doubt it's on the climb, but what is quite disturbing, is the fact that a lot of the associated crime is committed by younger and younger individuals.

I'm my view, there is no need to the widespread ownership of air rifles by the vast majority of young people; so maybe it's time to tighten regulation of airguns?

This article illustrates my point perfectly: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/5352338.stm

Your thoughts?

Burnsy

Glaucus · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:27

Nope, people who live in the countryside or have some land can enjoy air guns. Its cheap and very fun. I used to do it as a child. Why ban it because a few morons miss use it. Should we ban everything else that could be misused.

Its just like banning guns. Done a lot of people out of there hobbies and done nothing to stop or even reduce gun crime.

Cybermyk · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:28

It would be very sad for us to lose yet another sport or passtime due to the actions of one person. The current laws are more than adequate.

Burnsy2023 · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:39

Cybermyk said:
The current laws are more than adequate.

Are they?

I'm not talking an outright ban, just restrict young people from getting hold of them so easily.

And just to add, I went shooting with an air rifle on the weekend, I just think that they're too readily avaliable and are not treated with the respect they need.

Burnsy

Glaucus · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:41

burnsy2023 said:
Are they?

I'm not talking an outright ban, just restrict young people from getting hold of them so easily.

And just to add, I went shooting with an air rifle on the weekend, I just think that they're too readily avaliable and are not treated with the respect they need.

Burnsy

Don't you have to be 18 to buy one?

Burnsy2023 · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:52

AcidHell2 said:
Don't you have to be 18 to buy one?

17 apparently: http://www.cheshire.police.uk/modules.php?module=faqs&action=showmain&faqIndex=F

But maybe a strict licensing scheme should be imposed? I just think something needs to be done.

Burnsy

Glaucus · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:54

burnsy2023 said:
17 apparently: http://www.cheshire.police.uk/modules.php?module=faqs&action=showmain&faqIndex=F

But maybe a strict licensing scheme should be imposed? I just think something needs to be done.

Burnsy

17's fine.

I disagree. How many crimes are actually involve an air rifle. If you look at the statistics, I would have thought it would be way way down there. It's just the media just focus on it.

benjo plz. · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:55

AcidHell2 said:
17's fine.

Bull****. A mate of mine got shot in the head by a pair of ****** who were hiding in a block of flats shooting at people.

Glaucus · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:56

Phnom_Penh said:
Bull****. A mate of mine got shot in the head by a pair of ****** who were hiding in a block of flats shooting at people.

Then get them arrested. Where they 17 or over?

Do you think a tightening in the law would actually change anything?

benjo plz. · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:58

AcidHell2 said:
Then get them arrested. Where they 17 or over?

Do you think a tightening in the law would actually change anything?

They got arrested. And let out with no punishment. And they were 17. Tightening the law would stop ****** and chavs picking them up for £50 and going round acting like idiots.

D.P. · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:58

I really don't see the need for airguns at all in todays society and a tighter control is really needed. The number of cats and dogs shot by neds with airguns is horrific, in that espect they should just be made ouright illegal. They are a form of firearm which should just be stopped.

Glaucus · 17 Sep 2006 at 13:59

Phnom_Penh said:
They got arrested. And let out with no punishment. And they were 17. Tightening the law would stop ****** and chavs picking them up for £50 and going round acting like idiots.

no it wouldn't. What needs changing is the way the courts deal with idiots. There was evidance they should have been punished, that's what will stop crime. Not stricter laws. The laws are there but until you start to crack down on kids then nothings going to change.

Cybermyk · 17 Sep 2006 at 14:11

burnsy2023 said:
Are they?

I'm not talking an outright ban, just restrict young people from getting hold of them so easily.

It's against the law for a child (under 17) to be given an air rifle and against the law for them to use it without the supervision of an adult (over 21).

I think a knee jerk reaction to one death, however sad, is not called for.

burnsy2023 said:
But maybe a strict licensing scheme should be imposed? I just think something needs to be done.

That will only inconvenience the vast majority of people who enjoy the sport legally. It won't stop their illegal use.

How about catapults, knives, hammers, chisels, axes?

Stolly · 17 Sep 2006 at 14:20

Ban them. Ban knives. Ban axes, catapults and forks.

Because all these inaminate objects just keep jumping up and hurting people.

Or

The criminals that use them really do care about the law, and will stop using them if they are outlawed.

Cybermyk · 17 Sep 2006 at 14:23

I could do more damage with a box of pencils than with an air rifle. Ban them too.

Stolly · 17 Sep 2006 at 14:38

Don't forget screwdrivers. Nasty men use them for all sorts of evil acts.

Mark A · 17 Sep 2006 at 14:50

Banning them wont stop chavs getting hold of them, there are millions of them in circulation already. All banning them or tightening in the law would do is put responsible people like me out of a fun pastime.

VeNT · 17 Sep 2006 at 17:55

burnsy2023 said:
Recently, I've seen a lot in the news about airgun related crime. There's no doubt it's on the climb, but what is quite disturbing, is the fact that a lot of the associated crime is committed by younger and younger individuals.

I'm my view, there is no need to the widespread ownership of air rifles by the vast majority of young people; so maybe it's time to tighten regulation of airguns?

This article illustrates my point perfectly: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/5352338.stm

Your thoughts?

Burnsy

I don't think any change in law will effect kids getting hold of airguns
their perents need to be made to understand that the law is there for a REASON, and that children under 17/18 should NOT be alowed to use air guns unsupervised.

Mark A · 17 Sep 2006 at 18:06

VeNT said:
I don't think any change in law will effect kids getting hold of airguns
their perents need to be made to understand that the law is there for a REASON, and that children under 17/18 should NOT be alowed to use air guns unsupervised.

True, theres no way i would have been allowed to use an air rifle unsupervised when i was younger. I wasn't even allowed to buy a Gat gun.

Amp34 · 17 Sep 2006 at 18:20

Don't ban airguns due to a couple of inconsiderate idiots. They are an excellent sport. TBH age doesnt really make a difference. I was using Air rifles under the age of 12 (with parental supervision) and around 15 without supervision (after I showed intelligence and sense and my parents know I wouldnt do anything stupid with it). I didnt go round shooting random things and people as I was taught that was bad. Similarly I know one or two people who shoot random things/people all the time thinking its fun (over 18 and I really frown upon them when they do it). The kids that are going to use airguns stupidly are also the kids who's parents will buy them an airgun and not teach them how to use it properly in the first place.

Just get used to the fact that unfortunatly there are idiots out there and you have to live with the occasional problem/death they cause. Its not guns that pull the trigger.