Handgun Laws

Ok, in order to stop the derail of the 33bhp thread:

Originally Posted by Philbo

What planet are you on? Who, in this day and age, needs a hand a gun? They are made to kill, and inevitably that's what they're used for. I for one am glad to live a country with a hand gun ban.

And I really don't care if a few folk don't get to play soldiers any more...

Originally Posted by timwilky

Philbo, please don't annoy me. I was one of the many legal and compliant fac holders who had their hobbys destroyed by the incompetence of the police and the resulting knee jerk reaction of politicians.

How would you feel if some clown said, bikers get killed, there are no need for bikes, lets ban them.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Nice to hear the opinion of someone who's obviously never been anywhere near shooting sports or responsible gun owners.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Here is my pet hate. That guy would never have been granted FAC if police had actually read his application before signing it. Dodgy references, previous medical issues etc etc etc.

It is a sore point because I quite enjoy shooting pistols. And I cannot do it in this country.

What are peoples views on this?

I know people who used them responsibly and enjoy it, as i do with airsofting but a real weapon is deadly and so doesnt appeal to me.
But the real issue is a better system to stop the nutters getting their hands on them.

Might not be the right time to discuss this

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/10214661.stm

[timwilky]

I had

0.45" ACP, colt pistol
0.44" magnum ruger Redhawk
9mm Browning Highpower
0.357" Smith & Wesson model 28
0.22" DES Unique target Pistol

Also 0.22" Anchutz match 54, H&K G3 (lost after Hungerford), Parker Hale T4 and 18" barrelled Remington pump action shotgun.

Never once did I commit any offence in the 20 years I held an FAC, I have shot all over the country and I resented that the actions of two people who should never have been issued a certificate screwed up the legitimate sport of thousands.

My wife/children were all taught how to handle a firearm safely, they used to go down to my local range with me most weeks. The argument was that if legally held firearms were withdrawn nobody would be killed by handguns etc.

Well history has shown that to be complete bollox. Plenty of illegal guns still out there. It is only the law abiding that don't have them any more.

[Viney]

I cant make my mind up on this one bit, for every reason i come up with saying yes, i find one that says no. If they were all spud guns then that would be funny.

I like guns, dont know why, but i do. More target stuff than clays and the times i have used a gun, i was pretty darn good, even if i do say so myself!.

[ophic]

Originally Posted by MrTom

Might not be the right time to discuss this

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/10214661.stm

Originally Posted by timwilky

The argument was that if legally held firearms were withdrawn nobody would be killed by handguns etc.

Well history has shown that to be complete bollox.

QED

I'm not sure what you are asking in your poll - I am certainly for laws covering the ownership and use of handguns, but probably not the current one.

Few people need to own guns these days, but I can understand that some people enjoy shooting as a sport/hobby. The guns used at Hungerford and Dunblane were legally held (some doubts about quantities of ammunition, but one bullet can be enough) so the knee jerk reaction was to ban handguns. As ever 99.99% of handgun owners were responsible and are not likely to run amok in such a way.

I see no reason why people shouldn't be allowed to own and keep licensed guns if they so choose - the law should be about the storage and management of it, not an overall ban.

Mr Tom, I hadn't seen the news so posted this completely unaware of the incident in Cumbria.

Originally Posted by simesb

I'm not sure what you are asking in your poll - I am certainly for laws covering the ownership and use of handguns, but probably not the current one.

Few people need to own guns these days, but I can understand that some people enjoy shooting as a sport/hobby. The guns used at Hungerford and Dunblane were legally held (some doubts about quantities of ammunition, but one bullet can be enough) so the knee jerk reaction was to ban handguns. As ever 99.99% of handgun owners were responsible and are not likely to run amok in such a way.

I see no reason why people shouldn't be allowed to own and keep licensed guns if they so choose - the law should be about the storage and management of it, not an overall ban.

I am asking if people are for or against the current laws.

Originally Posted by Milky Bar Kid

Mr Tom, I hadn't seen the news so posted this completely unaware of the incident in Cumbria.

Fair enough. I was just highlighting the coincidence of this thread starting when some maniac with a gun is on the loose at the very same moment.