The idea
References to the work of the Gun Control Network (control, really?!) confirm the old adage: to keep repeating the same action 'though it always fails is a sign of lunacy. As for referring to wikipedia ….! Comment is free, facts are sacred. No firearm law has yet passed an independent cost/benefit analysis. None are proven to have worked. However, there is much research evidence by several (non-firearm owning) academics to provide more than enough evidence to substantiate this fact. Seek and ye shall find.
In 1997/98 tens of thousands of people with legally held pistols suffered the ignominy of being made scapegoats for policing failures and, without being charged with nor found guilty of any crime, had their property seized by a Conservative Government then New Labour. But then our Bill of Rights has been amended and circumvented since 1689.
For political ends these people were seen as easy fodder and treated shabbily, disgracefully and unethically. I believe this is now generally recognised and consider competitive shooting with cartridge pistols can be re-instated. I require a repeal of New Labour's Firearms (Amendment) (No.2) Act 1997 to help achieve this.
Why is it important?
The National Associations, mindful that public safety is paramount, will develop the
security, training and coaching infrastructure for the Licensed Pistol Clubs. Coaching
for national shooting success is already being developed in conjunction with Sport
England and it is anticipated that similar programmes will be introduced in Scotland
and Wales.
The British Shooting Sports Council notes that, according to NaBIS, .22 rimfire firearms and ammunition are only rarely used in crime, despite the very widespread use of .22 rifles for target shooting, small game hunting and vermin control. Similarly so before .22 rimfire pistols were banned (sic) by the incoming Labour government in May '97. It is patently clear that the failed both Firearm (Amendment) Acts 1997 have had no effect on the growth in the criminal use of firearms in recent years. Even Home Office figures show a marked increase in the criminal use of 'handguns' since the 'ban'. Many responsible voters want the return of a well-controlled competitive sport which is, and always was, far removed from criminality.
Contrary to the Olympic Charter, the Firearm (Amendment)(2) Act effectively prevents many from representing their country in Commonwealth and Olympic Games .22 cal pistol competitions. The Charter states that everyone should have equal access to training and competing in all events.
The current generation of Target Pistol Shooters was destroyed in 1997 and many of those qualified to officiate are long in the tooth. Where does the next generation of target pistol competitors come from and who would teach them? I want younger people once more to be able to learn to shoot competition pistol and achieve a standard of expertise that will enable them to compete at world class level, with every possibility of being a World Champion, and become responsible citizens. Unlike today when even the few, who may be granted a exemption, are not be able to train efficiently due to lack of authorized ranges, as is required at this level of competition to have a fair chance.
Repealing the Firearms (Amendment) (No.2) Act 1997 can be done with no threat to “public safety”. This would adhere to the policy position of the 1996 Conservative Government and is judged to be straightforward and quick to achieve in terms of Parliamentary process. It would allow the re-commencement of .22 pistol shooting in ‘Licensed Pistol Clubs’. Subject to agreement on details of implementation and licensing, it would allow the re-development of a proper performance pyramid at the grass-roots level, essential if we are to put our athletes on a level, fair playing field and to achieve long-term podium success at Olympic, World Championship and Commonwealth Games levels. (It should be noted that the present Commonwealth Games medal record holder (15 medals) is Mick Gault, an English pistol competitor, who along with others, has had to train in a foreign country; unsurprisingly, this makes for seriously unfair competition with other countries)