Calling ALL Shooters!

 This is a call to anyone who has, over the past 10 years encountered difficulty in having heir FAC processed. This may take many different forms, but most common is delaying the process, then refusing an extension in order to complete the process. This means the individual concerned has to dispose, or, lodge their Firearms, usually at great expense.

Another, is medical information not being supplied, in time to fit in with their time scale. Questioning land over which permission to shoot has been granted, and many many other spurious reasons in order to delay the process.

So, if you have been affected by your FEO making your FAC renewal less than straight forward, please contact via this page in the first instance, relating your experience. If we are able to use your information we will get back to you, to discuss the matter further,

Consultation on firearms licensing.

                The latest consultation on firearms licensing, could lead some of you to believe that that there was some underlying agenda by those in a position of power. Not so many years ago, this kind of thinking would have you labelled as a conspiracy theorist. But, over the past four years, more and more people are starting to think this way. Those who are still able to use independent thought.

                There have been so many occasions in recent history that a view point has been put forward, only for the establishment to close ranks, and roundly denounce the opposing opinion. No rationale, no evidence, nothing, just we say it’s not so.

                This latest consultation is just the latest in an effort to ultimately remove all firearms from civilian ownership. But it has to be done in stages, with more and more of the population seemingly behind and supporting the seizure. The current list of proposals have been put forward time and again, and each time a bit more gets added on. But why do we need more restrictions? Currently the UK has laws way beyond what the rest of the world deem necessary to ensure those in society who should not have firearms, are obstructed in their acquisition. Criminals, as we have said before, do not obey the law, and more draconian ownership laws do nothing to prevent this section of society from obtaining them.

                And so we arrive at the conspiracy theory! This latest debate has been brought about by the coroner’s inquest to the shootings in Plymouth, where the assailant killed a number of his family, before turning the gun upon himself. The coroner Mr. Ian Arrow listened to what the jury in the case had to say, and in his report made recommendations that more rigorous restrictions were needed in order to prevent this sort of tragedy from re-occurring. In his findings, and subsequent comments, there was no reference to the laws that are in place being ineffective. He did however, blame the incompetent and slap dash approach by the local police authority who had issued the licence, revoked it, and then re-instated it.

                All of the failings by the police contributed to the terrible incident. And yet, Mr Arrow’s thinking appears to be that, as the current law was not applied, that law must be ineffective. Therefore, more stringent laws must be implemented.

               In a recent statement issued by the Countryside Alliance on this matter, reference was made to the U.S.A., and its gun owners. I feel this comment was to say the least, disingenuous. Despite what you have been lead to believe, there are over 20,000 laws in the U.S. in relation to firearms and their ownership. All purchases through legitimate businesses have to have a background check, and, contrary to misinformation, you cannot buy a firearm on the internet and have it sent to your house. As here, the transaction has to be completed with a face to face meeting.

                There are so many commonalities between the U.K. and U.S.A. regarding this subject, but they approach the matter in a different way, to achieve the same result. The result of the laws on law abiding members of society is the same, no problems. But, here, as in the U.S.A. the main arbiters are the police, and as here they are advised of individuals who should have their firearms removed for the sake of public safety. And, as here, all too often these firearms are returned, only for the individual to then go on to perform an horrendous act of violence. And, as here, after every event of this nature, the police and politicians call for even more stringent controls on firearms. This is despite those charged with the job of enforcing the existing laws, failing to so.

                Current laws in the U.K. are more severe than most of the rest of the world. The law abiding firearms owner has submitted themselves to background checks, photographic I.D., and that they have, and do live, an honest and law abiding life style. Which is more than can be said for any other sector of society, including the police. Gilding the lily will have no effect on the criminals, and failure to enact current laws, will not be remedied by these proposals.

                So, in closing please contact you M.P., or, the shooting organisation that you are a member of. If you do not already belong to one, join now! Failure to support your sport will result in all shooting sports being curtailed until they are finally legislated out of existence.

Impossible position!

 

I recently watched a re-run of the television serial Downton Abbey. For those not familiar with show, it revolves around the class and hierarchy of the British life at the turn of the 20^th century. Those that own and live in the big house, and those that that work there, the servants.

                In this particular episode, Branson, the chauffer, was instructed by one of the daughters Lady Sybil, to drive her to a political rally. Branson, made protestations to Lady Sybil, pointing out that it was not a good idea for one of her class to be down with the sort of people likely to be at the rally. Whilst these two characters have an underlying romantic storyline, the position of power was used to override the objections.

At the rally a fight breaks out, and Lady Sybil receives a nasty blow to head. Branson extricates her unconscious body, and eventually returns her home to her family. Later the Lord, father of the family, confronts Branson. He chastises him, and lays the blame for the whole incident squarely at the chauffeur’s feet. Despite protestations from Branson, and an attempt to define mitigation from Lady Sybil, the chauffer is deemed to be responsible for the whole incident.

 

                This is a situation that continues to play out in the real world. Those in position of authority, make the rules and hand out the punishment. Those without the power, follow the rules. Branson protested but was over-ruled, he had no choice but to obey. But, when things go wrong, he is blamed for doing as he had been ordered to do. Assuming he had refused, he would have been dismissed from service without a reference, and therefore made virtually unemployable for that period in history.

 

                A real world example of this hypocrisy, enacted by the state, is that of gun licensing authorities. They create many, many laws, regulations, and restrictions, all in the name of public safety. Do not misunderstand, these rules, in general, are not a bad thing. But the hypocrisy when things go wrong is legion.

There have been, mercifully, few such incidents over the years. But with each atrocity there are more calls for more restrictions and regulations. And in so many of these incidents, after all the knee jerking and calls for more control, there is an underlying commonality. Those that make the rules, do not follow the rules. Yet, those that abide by the rules, have made representation to the rule makers, only for their concerns to be ignored. Are to be blamed later for the outcome.

 

                In recent times, those committing crimes with legally held firearms, have overwhelmingly had their licence revoked and their firearms removed, only for them to be returned at a later date. The reason in most cases is domestic abuse, ABH, GBH, or, other acts of violence or threatening behaviour. In all these instances, the authorities are well within their remit to prosecute and permanently deny the ownership, or, possession of firearms. But they fail to carry out their responsibilities. Choosing to pass the blame onto those that were not culpable, and had no control over the situation. Much like the Lord, in the television series.

 

                In short, rules are made for a reason. And, in general we all live by these rules. But when the creators of the rules fail to abide by them, blame those that follow them; and then endeavour to make more rules, in order to deflect from their failure, we all lose!

Arming Ukrainian civilians. Too little too late?

 The recent invasion of Ukrainian territory by Russia is a terrible event; a show of brutal strength by a superior state over a smaller state. And as such, is wholly condemned here.

It is however interesting to see how the Ukrainian state decided to bolster its armed services. After many years of state control over civilian firearms ownership, they had a change of heart.

The population of Ukrainia is about 45 million people. Civilian ownership of firearms' is permitted, but is regulated by the state. There are many regulations to ownership, of which some are listed here.

• an individual is 25 years of age for rifle ownership, 21 years of age for smoothbore weapon ownership, 18 years of age for cold or pneumatic weapon ownership;
• has no criminal record;
• has no history of domestic violence;
• has no mental illness or history of mental illness;
• has a good reason (target shooting, hunting, collection).

All responsible firearms owners are accepting of restrictions on violent, mentally unstable, or, criminal individuals ownership of firearms. And, always ensure that their firearms are kept away from minors, or, persons un-familiar with safe handling practices.

Restrictions on the type of firearms allowed to be owned are also regulated by the state. this also covers operating systems, magazine capacity, and ammunition quantities. The ownership of pistols, and self load, semi-automatic firearms of any sort are illegal. (a semi-automatic firearm only fires once with every trigger squeeze. The operating system will then cycle, placing another round in the chamber).

Ownership for personal defence, and concealed carry, are only available in a limited capacity, and only then if it can be proven that a threat to that individual can be proven.

According to the  National Police of Ukraine database, and they should know, there are 892,854 registered firearms in Ukraine as of July 31, 2018. Although, some anti-gun organisations estimate there to be in excess of 3,569,000, or, maybe more. But by their nature these firearms would be illegal, and no-one can say for sure how many, or, how much of any illegal commodity there is in any country.

Therefore, based on the official figures, rounded for ease and convenience, there are approximately 50 citizens for every firearm in the Ukraine.

That was then, 23/2/2022. Now we are one day further into the Russian invasion, and the Ukrainian government has reportedly issued 10,000+ fully automatic firearms to any civilian who will take up arms to defend the country. (fully automatic firearms work in a similar way to that described previously, with the exception that once the trigger is squeezed, the firearm will continue to fire until the trigger is released, or, the magazine is empty)

There are two issues here worth looking at. Firstly, the state has restricted their citizens ability to become proficient with the armament they are supplying. And secondly, the state thinks that civilian owners must be heavily restricted, but now are willing to hand out firearms to anyone who is willing to pick one up, in order to defend the state that restricted them in the first place.

Our prayers are with Ukrainians in their bid to defend their country. They are also with all of those who will lose a loved one because of one tyrannical individual.

Freedom is not free, and it appears that more will have to pay the ultimate price before this current situation is resolved.

UK propose even stricter controls.

 We as a community are again facing more government legislation in our sport in order to address the misuse of, and acquisition of, firearms by the criminal fraternity. From what I have been able read so far, there is little evidence to suggest a balanced approach to any of the proposals.

Please follow this link, FIREARMS SAFETY-GOV.UK to read the government, National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NBIS) wish list.

The following link gives you access to the NRA response, along with guidelines on how to respond NRA- HOME OFFICE CONSULTATION

The multi-pronged approach is put forward as a public safety exercise. Nothing that I have read would suggest that any of the changes would make a difference to public safety.

Do not leave it to others to do your bidding! Rest assured that all the anti-shooting organisations, including most of the main stream press and media, will be out in full force to help promote these issues using the public safety mantra.

If you see, or, hear any mis-information from these sources, do the right thing, and contact the outlet to put the facts forward. As a wise man once said, "A lie left unchallenged, becomes the truth".

Thank you for your time.