Off course the question they should be asking is how many illegal firearms there are; instead of worrying about the registered stuff.
Yep but thats too obvious, the amount of .50 cal shooters must be very small in the UK due to the restrictions on clubs etc and I just can't see why thats in the proposal, the VZ58 type rifle is an other kettle of fish......... always had my doubts on the lever release rifles but if you look at P Moore on youtube with the VZ58 its plain to see he isn't using the "Marksmanship Principles"
Here's where you can make a real difference directly to the Home Office Department who read all contributions on the subject, scroll down and hit ways to respeond and fill in the questionairre :
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Yes agreed, the vz58 is a particurlay nice rifle with its nice Israeli pieces added.
Slightly over priced in my book, but certainly a challenge for the Firearms team at the Home Office to throw legislation at.
.50 Calibres are, in this country like Sherman Tanks, not many people own them and they are fairly rare, but those that do, currently have the correct permissions and lawful authority in place to own such weapons if they so wish, and one has to assume those Police Forces that have granted permission for such weapons to be used, looked carefully at the land and reason they were to be used on as part of that process.
Clearly, we have not had an incident, where British law needs to be knee jerked through, to ban these weapons at this stage. Is it because there are not many out there, that they have decided on this path...........which will inevitably lead to MARS weapons too?
I don't want to start a big political thing here, but would be interested in views from anyone using these types of weapons, and strongly advise they fill in the Home Office questionaire, as other bans will almost certainly be coming, including air rifles in the future, so read the text carefully and respond to defend what we have left in this country, in the hands of responsible shooting club owners, not the 1% intent on criminal activity with unregistered firearms.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Doesn't need to be political Gil were only discussing the proposal at present, just reasonable answers etc would suffice, if someone wants to write a template which others could copy and paste etc and adjust to there own needs would or could help and send to the link above and also to there local MP.
The consolation documents that Gil posted also appear to show that the sale of knives over the internet maybe restricted to some degree as well. The documents appear to suggest that this could include the banning of sending knives through the post, that have been purchased online, to private addresses because the vendor hasn't physically seen the purchaser to know that they are over 18 years of age. When they say knives do they also include bayonets/bayonets that can be used as knives??? Perhaps the Home Office are suggesting that you get your knives/bayonets that you have ordered online sent to your local post office so that the purchaser's age can be verified??? One can imagine the host of problems that could ensue if this is the plan.
Sadly, As always, they try to "kill off" a lot of non related questions on the same paper for ease of reply.
I don't blame them for asking, as they have probably been chucked this mess to sort out by someone intent on descimating the legimate shooters out there and not the NRA or BASC!!
Except for a couple of questions there on bullet firing weapons, the rest IMHO are aimed at the Gun shop or retailer who sells everything including acids and knives, and the concerns surrounding ages to be able to buy the stuff.
I think bayonets could fall under "Lawful Excuse" and prescribed for being held by a specific age group and above, which would cover collectors displaying them in a secure cabinet for instance!
Last edited by Gil Boyd; 10-19-2017 at 05:57 AM.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
One of criticisms in the past of how "interested parties" object/raise concerns over pending new legislation is that they only argue about the points of the proposed legislation that may/could affect them. While this may be understandable and seem reasonable perhaps it would be better for "interested parties" to object to the proposals as a whole with a unified voice?
Some parts of the proposals seem reasonable such as controls over who can purchase acid/corrosive substances and where it can be legally carried. Some industrial processes may require strong acids which is a reasonable excuse for having it but carrying it on a night out with your mates is clearly not a reasonable excuse for it's possession.