CALLING ALL UK SHOOTERS - Semi Auto & Home Office

[AdminMASTER]

Received yesterday ; Bold & highlighted by me...

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Thank you for your email. This subject is very complicated; however BASC’s position is clear;

The Section 5(1)(ab) prohibition does not include an exception for “air weapons” as defined by Sectin 1(3)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968 i.e. low powered air rifles, airguns and air pistols. Section 5(1)(ab) expressly prohibits “any self-loading or pump-action rifled gun other than one which is chambered for .22 rim-fire cartridges;” As such; it is clear that semi-automatic air “rifles” and “pistols” are caught within this provision under the term “gun”. However care must first be taken in defining each and every air weapon as to how it operates.

I have not seen the mechanism or any expert report in respect of some of the air weapons being talked about. My initial thoughts to contribute to the discussion (these are not fully developed nor intended in any way to be an official position) are that the interpretation of "self loading" is provided by section 25 of the 1988 Firearms (Amendment) Act which states "In this Act Self Loading ......in relation to any weapon mean(s)... that it is designed or adapted so that it is automatically re-loaded..."

It is interesting to review further what constitutes the critical term "loading" or being "loaded". To my mind the term "loaded" is practically used in a number of ways. "Self-Loading" when it is traditionally related to the context of a "self-loading" rifle would most usually refer to the automatic chambering of the round of ammunition. In armed forces terms however, to "load" is simply to place a charged magazine onto the firearm as distinguished from being "made ready" which would be to chamber a round. However this last use of the term "loaded" (i.e. placing a loaded magazine onto a firearm) is certainly not the action being referred to in the normal use of the term "Self-Loading Rifle."

There is of course an interpretation of a loaded air weapon under S.57(6) of the principal Act which for the purposes of the Act states (b) a shot gun or air weapon shall be deemed to be loaded if there is ammunition in the chamber or barrel or in any magazine or other device which is in such a position that the ammunition can be fed into the chamber or barrel by the manual or automatic operation of some part of the gun or weapon.

The above 57(6) interpretation of "loaded" is again not consistent with what is typically understood by the descriptive use of the term "self-loading" in connection with a mechanism.

With regard to true semi-automatic air weapons; Home Office Circular 68 from 1997 says; self-loading air weapons are not caught so long as they conform to the definition in Section 1(3)(b) of the 1968 Firearms Act i.e. they are not ‘specially dangerous’ (they are low powered under 12 ft lbs). The circular has not been revoked and cannot be, it remains public policy and relates to other matters within the Act.

The Crown Prosecution Service web site supports the circulars text as follows: "The Home Office regard self-loading or pump action rifled airguns (including paintball guns) as outside the scope of the Firearms Act, unless they are sufficiently powerful to fall within the category of a "specially dangerous" air weapon (Archbold 24.8a). Paintball guns could be considered imitation firearms. "

Anybody prosecuted for owning such a firearm can immediately rely on the circular and the CPS website, however it remains to be seen if any law change has been recommended. BASC has recommended to the law commission that the law be amended for semi-automatic air rifles as well as cartridge operated firearms to be expressly allowed in the Act.



We will not be releasing anything further for publication at this time nor entering into any debates on forums.


Best wishes

Matt Perring
Senior Firearms Officer
Firearms Ops

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation
Marford Mill
Rossett
Wrexham
LL12 0HL

Tel: 01244 573010
Fax: 01244-573013
Email: matt.perring@basc.org.uk
Department Email: firearms@basc.org.uk
Explosives legal advice EMail: explosives@basc.org.uk
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[AdminMASTER]

Interesting read - who's who ...

Credit: http://www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk/n ... f-shooting

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Monday 7th Jul 2014
Shooting is worth £2 billion a year (Gross Value Added*) to the UK economy and provides significant conservation benefits according to the results of independent research released today by leading shooting and countryside organisations.

The figures are outlined in a new report - The Value of Shooting - conducted by Cambridge-based Public and Corporate Economic Consultants (PACEC). It is the most comprehensive research into the economic, environmental and social contributions of shooting ever undertaken in the UK.

Read the Value of Shooting report at shootingfacts.co.uk

The Value of Shooting reveals that shooting supports the equivalent of 74,000 full-time jobs. People who shoot spend £2.5 billion each year on goods and services, bringing income into rural areas, particularly in the low-season for tourism. The research shows that an established shoot generates local economic benefits for businesses in a radius of up to fifteen miles.
The figures show that the amount spent on shooting (£2.5bn) equals almost 10% of the total amount spent on outdoor recreation in a year, which has been measured at £27bn by the Sport and Recreation Alliance**.

Shooting is involved in the management of two-thirds of the UK's rural land area. Almost two million hectares are actively managed for conservation as a result of shooting. Nearly £250 million a year is spent on conservation and habitat management which benefits a wide range of wildlife. People who shoot put in 3.9 million work days on conservation every year - the equivalent of 16,000 full-time conservation jobs.

At least 600,000 people in the UK shoot live quarry, clay pigeons or targets and existing industry information shows that there are at least 1.6 million individuals who shoot live quarry with an airgun.
Lindsay Waddell, chairman of the National Gamekeepers' Organisation (NGO), said: "This detailed report demonstrates gamekeepers deliver truly effective wildlife conservation across the uplands and the lowlands on a scale that the managers of most nature reserves can only dream about. It is clear gamekeeping safeguards a lot of jobs in the countryside and helps keep the rural economy alive, especially so in remote areas."

What the others said:

Richard Ali, chief executive of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), said: "These figures show that shooting is good for the economy, good for jobs and good for the countryside - and we're good at it as Olympic gold medals show. The contribution of shooting to the UK is clear. This should be recognised and policy should support and encourage the good which shooting does."

Sir Peter Luff MP, chairman of the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC), said: "This timely report reminds us of the vital contribution shooting makes to the economy, to rural jobs, to conservation and to building strong communities. It does so on the basis of solid research and strong data. It is a document that should be read with an open mind by everyone interested in the future of shooting."

Henry Robinson, president of the CLA, said: "The figures in this comprehensive, independent report are striking. Worth around £2 billion to UK businesses and supporting the equivalent of 74,000 jobs, it is clear that shooting adds a vital stimulus to the rural economy. Many rural businesses found the trading environment challenging as a result of the 2008 financial crisis - shooting provides a shining example of how resilient the rural economy can be. More than that, shooting providers spend nearly £250 million on protecting the landscape and are integral in ensuring the most effective management of the land."

Nick Fellows, chief executive of the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA), said: "It is great to see the value of our wider industry identified so comprehensively in this new report. We know that target shooting sports are increasing in popularity all the time, particularly clay shooting, and this is a reflection of our recent Olympic success and the greater visibility of our sport at a local level. With the broad club base and new initiatives to encourage and support young talent, it is a sport that embraces all ages and abilities and it is really encouraging to see it in the wider context of a thriving and valuable industry."

Sir Barney White-Spunner, executive chairman of the Countryside Alliance, said: "This is the most comprehensive research ever to be carried out into the shooting industry and its message is clear - shooting is a crucial part of our rural economy and plays an essential part in managing and conserving the countryside for the millions of people who enjoy it each year."

James Horne, from GunsOnPegs (GoP), said: "The role of shooting and its importance to the countryside is clearly expressed by this valuable report. Shooting encourages improved stewardship of our woodland and moorland, provides jobs and wealth creation and above all brings enjoyment to the millions that visit every year."

Edward King, chairman of the Gun Trade Association (GTA), said: "We commend this report for its open and honest approach to the subject of shooting in the UK. As a nation, we lead the world in the manufacture of fine guns and our trade provides a continuation of skills and craftsmanship, as well as employment for thousands."

Amanda Anderson, director of the Moorland Association (MA), said: "This thorough report tells us that environmental work undertaken by shooting people covers more than ten times the total area of all national and local nature reserves. The largest type of land by far over which beneficial management takes place is heather moorland managed for grouse accounting for a significant proportion of the 3.9 million conservation work days. Grouse shooting is a major contributor to the health of our countryside."

Andrew Mercer, from the National Rifle Association (NRA), said: "This report confirms what the shooting community has long understood - that shooting is a major sport of national importance both in terms of the number of regular participants and economic worth to the UK. The rich diversity of shooting often means we operate in small groups, unnoticed and quietly enjoying our sport responsibly and with passion. Together shooting sports are a force for good; we are law abiding, strictly regulated, safety conscious, enthusiastic environmentalists, whose passion for shooting can literally last a lifetime. He added: "Support for target shooting is growing rapidly; from grass roots to international competitions such as the Commonwealth Games. Shooting can genuinely claim to be a sport for all ages, sexes, budgets, and any physical ability."

Tim Baynes, director of the Scottish Moorland Group (part of Scottish Land and Estates), said: "Scotland is a special place for all types of shooting sports, most notably red deer stalking and grouse shooting which have shaped large parts of the landscape. This new report sets out their important contribution to the rural economy and biodiversity of the UK as a whole."

Notes to Editors
*Gross Value Added (GVA): The standard monetary measure of the value of economic activity. Equal to the sum of employment costs plus profits. Equivalent to the value of goods and services produced minus the inputs (raw materials, services etc) required to produce them.

**(source:"Reconomics" report http://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/po ... reconomics)