PMQ's

[Bully]

http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/cm021106/debtext/21106-03.htm#21106-03_spnew14

For those who believe the world of paintball is safe from legislation have a look at the above link.

This is a question asked at PMQ's on Wednesday. Below the link is Tony Blair's response.

Steve

 

[Pinky_81]

Unless the poor boy choked in a paintball I would believe it to be a bit other subject - But I can see how it may affect all you paintball-brits... But as your prime states - They'll be carefull not to overregulate (He says )...

Pinky

 

[Liz]

Careful not to over-regulate - like they did by insisting that any dog that someone could mistake for being a Pit Bull terrier had to be put down; like they did by banning hand guns completely, due to some nutter going crazy with one & thereby banning a sport the UK were world leaders in. I'm sure a few more examples of "not over-reacting" can be recalled by others here!

 

[Pinky_81]

I totally agree (see the ?) - And unfortunately most governments in Europe (At least the danish) often have an eye on the english laws when making their own... Damn I hope it goes away!!

Pinky

 

[Hotpoint]

There is seldom anything more predictable than the infamous political knee-jerk reflex

 

[Jones the Paint Magnet]

From the sounds of it "airgun accident" implies this fatal injury may have been self-inflicted.

I know the MP's question is phrased to make it sound as if society as a whole is to blame for putting this weapon in the hand of this person, but sympathies to the family notwithstanding, I don't think the world lost a rocket scientist.

I'm divided on the issue. I don't want to see my sport and pastime banned, or regulated to the point where new members are driven away (thus strangling the support base) and the image of paintball is further pejorated in the minds of the general public.

Then again, this airgun debate is only part of a larger incidence of events where - for the majority of cases - young kids are shooting people. I know this doesn't reflect the majority of airgunners out there - and although an age restriction wouldn't affect me, I know lots of young 'ballers out there would feel unduly discriminated by having to play at supervisesd sites (or unable to play altogether until age whatever), when they have done nothing wrong.

That said, my own aunt was shot point-blank in the lung by a kid with an airpistol. Kids who live near me have an anti-social habit of throwing eggs at passers-by. I wouldn't want them getting their hands on paint markers or airguns and turning the walk to work into Sniper's Alley.

Little hope, I suppose that any knee-jerk legislation would be so discriminating. I personally think firearms being illegal in the UK is a good idea - compare lethality figures for homicide and suicide with countries where they aren't - but as Liz pointed out the hasty way in which it was done meant a legitimate group of responsible users (sporting marksmen/women) lost out - they now have to train outside the UK, I believe!

Hmm - rock . . . hard place.

 

[Cube]

Originally posted by Jones the Paint Magnet
From the sounds of it "airgun accident" implies this fatal injury may have been self-inflicted.

I muttered my usual November rant on another thread, but here I go again
I cannot believe that someone killing themselves by "accident" can cause an MP to stand up in PMQ's and call for airguns and their like to be tightly controlled when I can walk down to my local newsagent and quite legally buy a f*&^%$g explosive device and happily use it in a public place.

How many people are seriously injured or killed by air weapons or paintball markers per year in the UK.

How many are injured by fireworks?

Why aren't these politically "correct" idiots trying to get these things banned? I'm paying for every young idiot with a fireworks medical treatment, disability payments etc, etc.

Or I'm paying for the poor unfortunate injured by one of these cretins playing with explosives in the street.

This country has an absolute obsessions with making mountains out of molehills and ignoring the true issues.

They should leave us alone and look after the real issues, where people get realy hurt, all the time and stop trying to look good by tackling the dangers of people with "Guns" by dealing with the "Gun", 'bout time they started dealing with the paeople themselves.

As the saying goes, a weapon in itself isn't dangerous, it only becomes dangerous when put in the hands of a person.

 

[Jones the Paint Magnet]

If you think that's bad - look at the deaths and injuries caused by smoking and alcohol abuse! But looking at the "party line" on these things one would be forgiven for thinking that only illegal drugs caused death and crime

 

[manike]

My god politicians are generally full of **** aren't they

I find it reads much easier if you change 'my honorable friend...' to 'the stupid ****er...'

Try reading it with that in mind. Makes the conversation seem much more credible.

England is known for stupid knee jerk reactions. One reason we want to work on the non-lethality issue of paintball markers and the discerning differeces between them and fire arms and air guns. I have one or two thoughts on the matter and how we can do that

manike

 

[HERMITT]

The problem is that whatever the law brings, and there is definately going to be one, we have to be very careful that paintball markers do not become classed along side other air weapons. Current firearms laws are in for a major shake up and we have to be aware of this.

These following points maybe unpopular but it is better to be seen to be takling any issues proactively rather than waiting for the rules to be imposed:

1) Have a register of paintballers that own their own markers.

2) Have the UKPSF represent the paintball sport an ensure that the legislation is specific.

3)Make sure the UKPSF search out proper legal advice and representation, they will need it!

4)Sign petitions in support of any suggestions the UKPSF make regarding the legal wording of any governmental bill.

5)Paintball companies from the supplier to the manufaturer must take a more responsible attitude to who they sell equipment to and make it mandatory for safety equipment to be bought at the same time. Any ban will be more of a blow to retailers than refusing to sell a coupla markers to some kids.

6)Each individual player must take their responsibility to paintball seriously, we cant have a repeat of last years campaign cup when pro ballers shot up a hotel car park and across a main road. Not to mention other incident involving pros abroad.

Thats just my suggestions they may not be right but they have to be a start