Violent Crimes Reduction Bill.

[Gyroscope]

Just commenting on the fatalism of most posters in the UK when it comes to the notion of attempting to influence their representatives in government. Sorry if that came off nasty, but I was under the impression that parlimentarians were reliant on public support to hold office. Mobilizing vocal proponents is a pretty common way to influence our government here. Sometimes it has no effect, sometimes a loudmouthed minority wields undue influence.

Is there no attempt to influence the government there by citizen lobbying? I am asking in all sincerity- I am not versed in the relationship you have with your government, although I was under the impression that it was a representative democracy. It seems wierd that all the ability to get things done rests with a Steve Bull.

 

[Nickyboy]

Originally posted by ollytheosteo
The only thing is- it isn't true. Thanks a lot for proving my point how the media can mislead us with impunity though. There have been a few blank firers around that were built in ex weapons factories and could, with some work, be converted into a firearm if you didn't mind risking blowing your hand off. If you've ever held an airsoft gun or similar you'd know the thought of converting a plastic gun that fires plastic pellets using an ickle spring into any kind of firearm is laughable, but this is the idea the papers are currently selling, and it seems people are buying it

Most of the replicas being targeted by this bill can never be converted into anything deadly, including the scenario markers and RAM markers that bring paintball into the picture whether we like it or not.

I don't think you really seem to know the true size of the problem, and none is talking about converting airsofts into working pistols. Deactived, or even some replica guns are easy to get hold of if you know where to ask, and the work to convert them to take real bullets is easyish, so I've been told.
I've never read an article about the threat of converting airsoft into real guns. As you say it's laughable, and I've not heard stories in the papers about converting paintball markers into real guns. That too is laughable.
But, search for real metal replicas on the net, and there are so many websites offering to ship these to the UK. Some of these are the ones that can be converted, and that is the issue the papers are selling. From the papers I read anyway.
There was two guys big in that game arrested in London last year, do a search on the net for it, I'd post links but my works funny about me searching for gun information.

 

[ollytheosteo]

Reactivating deactivated weapons and converting metal replicas into "firearms" are already illegal. A little more web searching reveals that you can build a gun from scratch with a reasonable home workshop and a few bits, but banning airsoft and sceanrio markers won't stop that being the case. Metal replicas and deacts that can be converted- ie made of proper steel, working actions etc are already controlled by the firearms act and trying to convert a pot metal or zinc cast blank fire/replica will result in a "gun" that explodes if you pull the trigger. If people are getting real guns sent over with plugged barrels and then changing the barrels over etc they are already comitting an offense, and this bill isn't trying to control that; it's trying to ban anything "that any reasonable person might mistake for a firearm".

 

[Nickyboy]

agreed, I was drifting off topic, good pull back!

 

[robtattoo]

Why would you want to convert a replica hand gun to fire real live rounds in the first place, when getting hold of a real hand-gun is so simple. I just can't understand the point of making something harmless illegal. The Government seem to have missed the point here, the people who use handguns to BREAK THE LAW are CRIMINALS. CRIMINALS don't care if they break the law, so making something illegal, seems stupid. If a criminal is thinking of getting a replica handgun to hold up a Post Office, is he really going to think 'Hang on, I'd better use something else to try & kill this old lady, replica hand guns are illegal.'


The whole point is that criminals break laws. That's what they do. Why are they going to be bothered about breaking another one, by getting a replica hand gun? At the moment, the Powers that Be are also trying to ban the sale of ALL knives with a blade length of more than 6". This will include kitchen knives, gardening sickles & scythes etc...... Would they not be better off giving everyone 200lb of cotton wool & getting us to wrap ourselves up?!?!?

 

[Rosie]

Originally posted by ollytheosteo
A little more web searching reveals that you can build a gun from scratch with a reasonable home workshop and a few bits,

LOL http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/sim-explorer/explore-items/-/0873649834/0/101/1/none/purchase/ref=pd_sxp_r0/002-7476178-9470403

haha "For Academic Study Only " yeah Ok

 

[Gyroscope]

*EDIT: didn't see Rosie's post*

Spoken like the American National Rifle Association. A favorite slogan: "If guns are criminalized, only the criminals will have guns."

The law is aimed at preventing people from being threatened with guns, or rather, gun-like things. The intent seems to be to make it harder to get hold of something used to make threats, regardless of its utility in actually shooting someone.

Liz, this brings me back to the orange muzzles. If the simulated gun is clearly marked as "not-a-gun," then the same goal is realized, so long as everyone is informed of the designation. No one feels threatened by squirt guns, so long as they are obvious in appearance. There is nothing to stop a criminal intent on disguising his gun as a toy, but for that matter, there is nothing to stop him from glueing a feedneck on the top and bolting an air bottle on the back. Or just hiding it until he intends to shoot someone.

 

[Headshot Apoc]

Awaiting reply from my MP......wonder how long that will take.....when is the next ice age???

Me, have faith in the UK Democraticly elected government......never!

 

[Collier]

Originally posted by mad dog
If you mean "grounds", scary very scary but at least its a way of showing we are educating potential players for a sport, with a club basis comes a better angle to show we care and are professional.

Maybe an angle working with offenders, or even showing the potential of what we could become is a way forward.

I know this I am beginning to lose faith in it all, everybody wants it cheap and some people want to cash in on gimmicks, and can't be bothered with the lets think about the players and let them have there say.

Well After building scenes like an adventure park for a paintball site in the midlands, you begin to realise that the game is for enjoyment as well as competition.

Back to the grass routes, safegaurd us all and even bring in a control board of members in this country using the UKPSF as backing and hold proper meetings, letting every team or players
have there say.

Like the MM commitee possibly!

Sounds like a plan! Self regulation is certainly where it's at.....

 

[Matski]

Armed police shot some guy carrying a table leg 14 times not so long ago. Ban table legs too in my opinion, or paint them day-glow orange.