UK:call for tighter control on air guns

[rancid]

Originally posted by JohnJ
There are some really valid points coming out of this discussion but your preaching to the converted.
A couple of years ago, when the home office began to look at this issue, I went to see my local MP to discuss the issue with him.
I took along a letter outlining my views and explaining what the sport entailed. I also took along a copy of PGI so that I could give my argument some credibility and to show that the sport is not all about camo and woodland events.
He agreed to back me and shortly afterwards I received a letter from the home office saying that they were treating paintball guns differently to airguns as they had recieved no complaints about them and did not consider them a threat.
I've been an active trade union member since I was 21 and I quickly learned that you win more arguments being proactive rather than reactive.
Go and see your MP, believe me they will be glad to discuss the issue with you (most politicians will kill for the 'yoof' vote) and acting now will save a lot of persuasion in the future.
Spread the paintball gospel,
JJ

JJ,you're not suggesting that you singlehandedly saved paintball are you?

On what the general public deem to be 'firearms-related incidents' we have no say. No matter how we control or police ourselves; no matter how many mps we visit; no matter what they tell us and how well intentioned they are, if the Gov't/public/media want a remedy for paintball, they will have it.

Remembering the issue to which JJ refers, the word on the pro-gun-lobby street was that paintball would complicate classification matters, and therefore was side-stepped.

You know, if you want to worry consider the outlawing of bb & airsoft... now that's on our doorstep.

 

[Bully]

UKPSF

Only just looked ta this post - very interesting.

Yes the UKPSF are aware of the press release in March re tightening of the law and have been told that the aim is to increase the age of ownership (purchase) as most incidents are young kids shooting cats etc.... and of course one another.

The UKPSF has a good relationship with the Home Office, the Chief Constables Association and local firearms officiers. They all feel the problem is kids with air rifles AND people with replica guns that are BB guns, paintball markers don't look like guns and therefore they seem happy with the paintball marker.

Registration was tried several years ago and we had a handful of forms returned.

Yes the more members there are the more powerful the UKPSF is when negotiating with authority. Most goverment officiers and local authorities now use the UKPSF to supply information. Sites are being inspected by local authorities and the UKPSF site guidelines are used as the benchmark. Several trading standards officiers have contacted the UKPSF for help when they have a situation where a PB marker is involved.

The WORD is a good read so join now it is only £5, email steve@ukpsf.com and I will send you a membership form

Sorry web site has a server problem at present

Steve

 

[Dannefaerd]

Have to agree with Bully here - it is only be approaching "official anything" as a collective group can things be achieved. I am making the assumption that the UKPSF is a registered body (such as an incorporated society or the like)

We managed to have a long sit down with the official in New Zealand on paintball markers, and now if there is going to be any change in the law we are the official group that they will come and discuss it with as a matter of course.

You boys from the states must understand this type of thing - lobby groups are a major part of your political process as I understand it.

 

[Baca Loco]

I understand it fine

Originally posted by Dannefaerd
You boys from the states must understand this type of thing - lobby groups are a major part of your political process as I understand it.

which is why it pisses me off. Playing the game by the other guy's rules is a losing proposition. Y'all may have a voice now cus it was given to you. It can therfore just as easily be taken away or ignored.

 

[Hotpoint]

Originally posted by rancid
Registering a marker... are you bleedin mad? Showing that we are caring, loving, respopnsible citizens... jesus, has everyone got hotpointitis?

Hotpointitis - A (deluded?) state of mind which causes a desire for truth, justice and fair play

Just call me the Anti-Rancid

 

[FAMINE]

Just a quick thought,
How the hell can we register guns?

Great on some where they have a serial number, but like maike i have several boxes of OLD stuff. Kinda sentimental

But these have no form of number or anything...

What we do? write in and say i have 2 splatmasters, 1 woodstocked sheridan rifle blah blah blah.

And what happens when u sell a gun?

Also as a side note, someone should speak with UK suppliers and get their views. That way any new gun sold could be registered at point of purchase.

 

[Hotpoint]

UKPSF

Originally posted by Bully

Registration was tried several years ago and we had a handful of forms returned.

Well you live and learn. I must be more out of the loop than I thought... but that would predate my own Federation involvement I suppose... Great. Now I've got to interrogate Bully to find out what else I don't know

Oh yeah, the UKPSF Word is a good read (well worth the membership fee in itself)

 

[Walker (Nitro)]

Tighter controls

Originally posted by Scotty D
to buy a Paintball marker you had to be registered with the UKPSF.
No member number no marker.

£££

 

[Stan]

Registration was tried several years ago and we had a handful of forms returned.

What with the internet n' all hows about a trial run on marker registration via the website (if its sorted?)?

As for some markers not having serial numbers...

Surely that is not a major problem. The aim of this is to show that paintballers are a respectable, sensible group of people who shoot each other with paint. The fact is that by having a registration sytem with a large number of people on it who are registering a large number of markers will show UK ball in a good light.

The issue of what happens when you sell a marker is tricky and one that concerns me when you look at some of the crap being SOLD on EBAY. Some of the things being advertised are downright dangerous - eg. there have been a few pairs of the old JT Whipper Snappers for sale with (presumably) the original lenses in them... They must be at least 5 years old!?

Ideally, you should only sell your marker to a UKPSF registered player who then notifies the UKPSF about the change in ownership.

If we start a UKPSF based voluntary registration system now it could be turned into a mandatory system a few years down the line rather than a police based system with the bureaucracy that would invlove.

 

[rancid]

Originally posted by Stan


Surely that is not a major problem. The aim of this is to show that paintballers are a respectable, sensible group of people who shoot each other with paint. The fact is that by having a registration sytem with a large number of people on it who are registering a large number of markers will show UK ball in a good light.

At the risk of you campaigning to have me banned again, do you really think it would hold back the tidal-wave for more than a nano-second?

As for registering on site, we can't even get people to list what teams they play for.