Airguns

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 19 Mar 2005, 05:45

Like many people, I was appalled at Michael Howards's remarks regarding airguns following the tragic death of a two year old child recently.

Not only were his remarks insensitive, they were also just plain stupid.

We want those who have access to weapons to behave responsibly.

Wouldn't it make more sense for 'the party of law and order' to be saying 'We don't want people to have access to weapons'? Why does any citizen need a firearm of any description? And if that means a handful of people need to find a new hobby, so what?

I was home secretary at the time of the terrible tragedy at Dunblane. We did impose restrictions after that. I think the Government then went too far in banning handguns altogether.

Really? Not nearly far enough. Are you aware that imitation guns are still on sale locally to kids at pocket money prices?

Mothers Against Guns

Gun Control Network

Post by **wangi** » 19 Mar 2005, 11:37

He made a fair point that it not sensible to go banning things after each and every tragedy...

...And such bans (i.e. handguns) are ineffective because the "bad guys" still get the guns anyway,

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 19 Mar 2005, 11:47

I think they should make small guns made out of vegetables in order to encourage healthy eating amongst kids.

You could have a MAC-10 made out of sprouts, a turnip Glock, and a carrot AK-47.

Kids could trade magazines of bullets made out of healthy pulses and beans, and could perform raps about the vitamins they were unwittingly imbibing - so "A to the K" could be a funny but educational double reference not only to the presence of vitamins but the street cred of the AK-47.

They could also be taught that vegetables, just like guns, are readily available and cheap on most street corners.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 07 Apr 2005, 17:23

You're right. I'm over-reacting as usual. Let's wait until a few more kids are injured or killed before we take action. No point in rushing into things. There's also the human rights angle. Why should the 'nanny state' dictate how I spend my leisure time? It's my God-given right to bear arms, to defend my property and to, erm, shoot kids in the head.

Now is the time to act on firearms - 5 April

Boy, 6, shot in head by airgun pellet - 7 April

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 07 Apr 2005, 18:41

Kenny MacAskill's petiton calls for legislation on firearms to be handed from Westminster to Holyrood.

I recognise that Scotland Needs Powers Over Firearms and agree that legislative powers over all type of firearms should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament immediately and that a new Scottish Firearms Act is needed to create clear laws on who can sell, own and use real guns, replica weapons and air guns.

The petition is available to download here.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 07 Apr 2005, 19:24

Dadaist wrote:You could have a MAC-10 made out of sprouts, a turnip Glock, and a carrot AK-47.

..and pineapples would make excellent hand grenades.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 07 Apr 2005, 21:17

Bob Jefferson wrote:Kenny MacAskill's petiton calls for legislation on firearms to be handed from Westminster to Holyrood.

I misread that as K MacA calls for firearms to be handed from Westminster to Holyrood

. I don't think that would be allowed because doesn't the English national anthem say something about crushing the nasty scottish people, or something?

PS Are't you glad I'm back to share my mighty words of wisdom? <grin>

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 07 Apr 2005, 21:28

Has anyone else here ever been shot by an air rifle? I remember a dashing young chap once trying to attract my attention by firing at me. Fortunately, it hit a particularly well padded part of my anatomy so it didn't do any long term damage - apart from him losing any chance of ever getting a snog from me

On a more serious note, I see that this week's "Herald and Post" carries a report on the front page, of another incident, from last Saturday, concerning a young child being hit by a pellet from an air gun.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 07 Apr 2005, 21:37

There was something in the EN last week I think about a girl being shot in a park in Edinburgh; the police arrived but the family decided not to press charges, so the kids got away with it.

My (older) brothers used to ask me to stand by the back fence while they practised shooting their airgun...at me. But they weren't very good shots. One of them did however shoot a "friend" in the foot. I met said friend many years later, when I was no longer 8 but 19, and he was trying to pull me. His line was "Don't you remember me? Your brother shot me in the foot in your back garden!". Slick. Told my brother who said "Well, he said "Come on, then, shoot me in the foot"!...so I did." Fair 'nuff.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 08 Apr 2005, 18:54

Bob appears to have allies in high places: I agree with Bob

Marya and Bellybabe, I used to shoot the heads off flowers with my dad's airgun and my [younger] bro's air rifle!

How elegant compared to your childhood experiences of the blasted things!!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 Apr 2005, 19:51

Believe me, if the Deputy Chief Constable knows my name it will be for all the wrong reasons.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 08 Apr 2005, 20:42

Oooh! Wotcha bin up to, Bob???

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 09 Apr 2005, 12:18

I remember years ago a girl at PHS lost an eye when she was shot by an airgun.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 08 May 2005, 21:16

From yesterday's EN:

Police warn parents fake guns may end in child death

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 08 May 2005, 21:51

Epykat wrote:I remember years ago a girl at PHS lost an eye when she was shot by an airgun.

She lives on James Street now. Think she was at Brunstane at the time and she was shot by a Bay City Roller's relative. Anything else you want to know?

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 09 May 2005, 10:10

I agree with the (anti-gun) posters.