Support UK Firearm Users and help give them more freedom!

[STORMZOMBIES]

Hello i am here today to promote more relaxed laws on firearms in the UK i am an avid airsoft player and since the UK government somewhat class RIF as firearms this is a relevant topic we need more people to understand that the gun laws don't stop gun crime at all, so please help not only airsoft community but the firearms community by allowing the government to reform the laws and allowing the UK to have a wider variety of firearms.

https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-the-uk-parliament-repeal-the-uk-firearm-laws?signed=true

 

[Rogerborg]

I agree in principle, but in practice we're fighting a rearguard against ever stricter laws.

The petition makes no argument for loosening firearm laws other than "We want".  It ignores that recent crackdowns happened after guns are used for nefarious purposes, most recently when airguns were licensed in Scotchland.  Heck, we're about to lose legally held .50 cals, despite one never having been used in a crime.

Can you make an argument actively in favour of loosening laws?

 

[AK47frizzle]

Let's not turn this place into a shit show that America is in currently.

 

[Jedi_Master]

Moved to Off Topic, this not directly airsoft related.

 

[Adolf Hamster]

whilst there are many arguments that could be leveraged in the adjustment of current firearms legislation, sadly with the way that petition reads i can't support it.

i don't think i can say this without sounding really condescending but it's the kind of spiel you see the NRA chanting and as much as i'm very much a "gun guy" this is not the way i want firearms and their owners to be viewed in the public image because it just reinforces stereotypes.

if you want to make change it'd be better to try and point out how responsible gun owners in this country are, that the licensing thing isn't a problem because it makes an effective deterrant against nutters with guns (then cite some proper data on crime involving legally owned firearms).

and drop the self defence thing, the public is against police officers being given guns (y'know, the people who have an actual justification for needing a self defence firearm) so they sure as **** ain't gonna accept private citizens "needing" them.

the argument should be that "the current licensing works, any firearm is dangerous in the wrong hands so it's better off focusing on restricting who and how easily a person can obtain a firearm than what that actual firearm is"

 

[Rogerborg]

cite some proper data on crime involving legally owned firearms

About that:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungerford_massacre

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkseaton_shootings

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunblane_massacre

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Williams_(spree_killer)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbria_shootings

As above, if you can't even acknowledge the shootings with licensed guns that led to restrictions, how can you argue against them?

 

[Adolf Hamster]

About that:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungerford_massacre

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkseaton_shootings

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunblane_massacre

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Williams_(spree_killer)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbria_shootings

As above, if you can't even acknowledge the shootings with licensed guns that led to restrictions, how can you argue against them?

this is a fair point, i've always argued when talking about american gun laws is legislation is like any other market entity- supply and demand.

the motivation for stricter gun laws dissappears in proportion to the number of firearm incidents, counter to the "slippery slope" argument a lot of the nra types like to tote.

certainly i wouldn't argue that the current "may grant" licensing is in need of change, although it would be nice to see more firearm types available as an option with increased procedures, for example allowing semi-auto's  only on the proviso they are stored in a police station or something to that effect. although granted the actual "need" for such weapons is kind of defunct given a bolt action rifle or lever action will provide more than enough firepower for any legitimate need (that is to say any need that isn't plinking on a range for fun like hunting or pest control).