The
following letter sent by Gun Control Network was published in the
Daily Post published in North Wales
One
more reason for airgun control
September 1, 2009
THE attack on the kittens in Llanfigael you reported on
August 28 is yet another example of the harm being caused by the
irresponsible use of airguns. Despite the warnings being issued by
organisations such as the RSPCA, the targeting of pets and other animals
continues to occur all too frequently.
And it is not just animals who are suffering.
The tragic death of a 5-year-old in Wiltshire last week
shows just how lethal airguns can be.
In 2007/08 more than 8,000 offences, about half of the
total gun offences in Great Britain, were committed with air weapons.
They are responsible for more than a quarter of all gun injuries to
people, including a fifth of serious injuries, and there have been two
fatal shootings in 2009.
to 150 forget to address number, be edited Access to
these guns, especially by young people, remains too easy. It is time for
them to be subject to the same legislation as other firearms: a
registration system is long overdue. Only then will the right message be
sent out that these are dangerous weapons.
Those opposed to registration claim that the criminal use
of airguns is comparatively rare. However, the incident you report is
not a rarity, and if anyone doubts the scale of the problem they should
look at the list of incidents collected by Gun Control Network at
www.gun-control-network.org.
Misuse of airguns is leaving a trail of misery: while we
all wish for current laws to be enforced they have clearly failed to
stop thousands of these weapons getting into the wrong hands.
The
following letter sent by Gun Control Network was published in the
Express & Echo published in Exeter
Airgun registration scheme is overdue
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
I MUST take issue with
Helen Shuker from the British Association for Shooting and Conservation
that the criminal use of air weapons is "comparatively rare", Points of
view, April 25.
More than 8,000 airgun
offences were committed in Great Britain in 2007/08, hardly a rarity, in
fact almost half of all firearm offences.
Airguns kill and
injure and are responsible for more than a quarter of all gun injuries,
including a fifth of serious injuries, including two fatal shootings and
two suicides in 2008.
It is time for them to
be subject to the same legislation as other firearms, and a registration
system is long overdue. Only then will the right message be sent out
that these are dangerous weapons.
BASC's attempts to
reduce airgun crime through education are misplaced. The unnecessary
introduction of more young people to airguns simply perpetuates the view
that these are boys' toys. Every attempt should be made to discourage
this.
If anyone doubts the
scale of the damage being caused by airguns they should look at the list
of incidents collected by Gun Control Network at gun-control-network.org.
In April, we know of
16 people, including two young girls, who were shot with airgun pellets,
and as well as the cat shot in Exmouth at least 14 others around the
country were hit by air rifle snipers.
Misuse of airguns is
leaving a trail of misery, and while we all wish for current laws to be
enforced they have clearly failed to stop thousands of airguns getting
into the wrong hands.
