On Saturday morning, I had a very good meeting with Bill Lewis, Captain of a local gun sports club. Bill has been a gun sporting enthusiast since he was a youth and has a great passion for the sport. He had written to me about the problems that gun sportsmen face because of the bans on certain types of guns. The problem is that Government restrictions on handgun use are so tight that gun sportsmen are not permitted to use .22 pistols, even in sporting activities and at supervisory club level.
The result of this ban means that the British Olympic .22 pistol team, have to train abroad in order to participate in the sport at the 2012 Olympics, in which a special dispensation will be given so that this particular competition can go ahead. The irony of the British team forced to travel overseas, in order to participate in the Olympics in Britain, should not be lost on anyone who believes just how restrictive elements of gun-banning legislation has become.
My own view is that there needs to be a reform of the law - with modest relaxation of the ban on .22 pistols shooting for sporting purposes only - provided the pistols are kept at licensed clubs and only used for specific sporting activities. Above all, the British Olympic Team should be able to practice in the UK.
The result of this ban means that the British Olympic .22 pistol team, have to train abroad in order to participate in the sport at the 2012 Olympics, in which a special dispensation will be given so that this particular competition can go ahead. The irony of the British team forced to travel overseas, in order to participate in the Olympics in Britain, should not be lost on anyone who believes just how restrictive elements of gun-banning legislation has become.
My own view is that there needs to be a reform of the law - with modest relaxation of the ban on .22 pistols shooting for sporting purposes only - provided the pistols are kept at licensed clubs and only used for specific sporting activities. Above all, the British Olympic Team should be able to practice in the UK.
P.S. This article is quite interesting from the National Shooting Association. You could also read HERE, HERE and HERE.
