A while back I posted a British newspaper article which described firearms owners as "gun obsessives".

I find that a trifle rich given the loony attitudes expressed by the idiots quoted in this masterpiece of "objective journalism."

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Source:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2266095.stm

Wednesday, 18 September, 2002, 11:46 GMT 12:46 UK
Families press for airgun crackdown


Incidents involving air weapons are rising

The families of youngsters killed or injured by airguns joined MPs and campaigners to press for a change in the law governing use of the weapons.
Members of the umbrella group Campaign for Airgun Control are calling on the government to make it illegal for under 17s to buy, sell or use "lethal" airguns.

My son had gone to see his friend and while he was waiting he was shot in the face

Linda Mitchell
They want the guns to be registered and a ban placed on the sale, import and manufacture of imitation weapons and their possession in a public place.

Hundreds of children are injured and some killed by airguns and thousands of birds and domestic animals are used as target practice, the campaigners say.

Victims' families, including Dr Mick North whose daughter Sophie was killed in the Dunblane shooting, made impassioned pleas for government action during a press conference on Wednesday at Westminster.

'Scarred for life'

Dr North's daughter was five when gunman Thomas Hamilton walked into the Dunblane Primary School gym on 13 March 1996 and opened fire.

"Many people in the gun lobby seem to dismiss airgun crime rather too easily - that's dismissing 10,227 offences in England and Wales in 2000/01," he said.

"Things just can't be allowed to continue the way they are.


Anything that looks like a handgun should be banned, says Dr North

"Too many people are being scarred, injured and killed by weapons that some people choose to dismiss as no problem at all."

Dr North was joined by Linda Mitchell, whose son Micah was 12 when he was shot in the mouth a year ago.

Mrs Mitchell, 38, a leading light in the Survivors War against Airgun Terror (SWAAT), said her family will never get over what happened to Micah.

Kids with guns

"My son had gone to see his friend and while he was waiting he was shot in the face," she told BBC News Online.

"It took two of his front teeth out and of course, he faces a lifetime of dentistry. He had perfect teeth before.

"I thought he was dead. He was shot by another boy.

"Children just shouldn't have airguns. They shouldn't have any kind of access to them.

"My son is not as confident as he was. His peace of mind will only be restored when he can go out and not worry if children are carrying airguns."

Converted weapons

Mrs Mitchell, from Sunderland, who is pressing the government for a registration scheme, said: "We don't want to alienate responsible gun owners or sports people, we simply want to take guns out of the hands of children.

"It is youths that are using these guns irresponsibly."

In a statement read to the gathering, Mark and Wendy Sheffield, whose 14-year-old son Matthew died after being shot in the head by his friend, offered their support for the campaign.


Matthew Sheffield died in an airgun incident

"We find it incomprehensible that use of a fishing rod, the purchase of a new TV and obtaining a driving licence is subject to greater regulation than the purchase and use of a firearm that is capable of causing death," they said.

Reporters were shown 15 airguns that had been seized following robberies and threats of violence, many of which had been converted to fire real bullets.

Amnesty

Supt John Sweeney, deputy operational commander for Operation Trident, London's specialist team focusing on crime committed by black criminals against black communities, said more than 10% of the weapons seized were air weapons that had been converted into section one firearms.

"The use of air weapons and all other types of converted weapons, which is blank firing weapons, is recognised as a problem," he said.

Home Office Minister Bob Ainsworth is set to discuss with the Association of Chief Police Officers the possibility of restricting the age of ownership of airguns.

The government rejected proposals in April 2000 by the Commons home affairs select committee for certification and a minimum age limit for airgun possession and use.

Ed Chicken, of Middlesbrough Council, said 40 airguns were handed in during the first week of a localised amnesty on the weapons.

Ban call

Guns could be obtained by mail order to children as young as 12, he said. "We desperately do need that change in legislation," he added.

Labour MP Julia Drown questioned why airguns could not be banned altogether.

But Labour MP John Austin warned: "I think we shouldn't under-estimate the strength and power of the shooting lobby."

He added: "Unless the government is on board, the kind of major change we want to see is not going to happen."

When did every one in brittan become a total wuss? except for the criminals really.

i agree wit the control, maybe youd have to be 16 to by one, cause i dont trust 12 year old, especially if i know they have an airgun, fuck 12 yrs old and the have a gun? somethings fucking wrong in brittan. if that has any impact over in the us, im going to get my paintball gun and go to brittan and shot all these motherfuckers in the eyes!

airguns shouldnt be restricted more than they already are. i like the quote that claims kids are carrying airguns. how many kids do you know that carry airguns? and for that matter what air pistol is capable of killing someone (there are a few rifles but you cant really carry them)?

i think you will notice that in almost every case that a death results is from assholes who dont watch their kids. blame lame ass parrents, not guns.

quote:

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Originally posted by syphon detonator:
airguns shouldnt be restricted more than they already are. i like the quote that claims kids are carrying airguns. how many kids do you know that carry airguns? and for that matter what air pistol is capable of killing someone (there are a few rifles but you cant really carry them)?

i think you will notice that in almost every case that a death results is from assholes who dont watch their kids. blame lame ass parrents, not guns.

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I've said that for years, once a kid wandered away from his parent in the grocery store and hurt himself, I found him, turned him over to his parents, who promptly threatned to sue the store.

Parents will never admit they are bad parents.

You can kill someone with those pussy ass british airguns? I thought you couldn't dent cardboard with those things.

From my understanding some of those air rifles can propel a projectile up to 1,100fps. So a well placed shot.... well you'd still have to be lucky as shit. I don't think a .177 caliber bb would expand and penatrate well enough in human tissue to hit anything vital.

let the brits write away their own rights...who gives a fuck over here that just leaves us with more weapons anyways.

since when are airguns lethal?

Next thing you know those damn redcoats will ban farting in church.

quote:

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Originally posted by [RaTm]:
since when are airguns lethal?

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since the government realized people are dumb enough to buy it.

im british and i thinks it sucks we're not allowed guns over here. we have rifles and shotguns, and now air guns are restricted to 18 yr olds. im a real gun fan i would like to take a rifle or hand gun to a shooting range i think it releases tension. ppl do get hold of handguns over i dont know how but i heard of a fatal shooting in a nightclub near to where i live this bloke got plugged with a handgun, i dont know whether it was a assassination, or just a gang thing, but ppl do get hold of guns in britain, but i think they should be made legal for our safety

WOW hired gun that is the first thing you've said that has actually made perfect sense to me. You're right on target!