Antis now targeting young shotgun licence holders

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Antis now targeting young shotgun licence holders

Anti-gun campaigners are once again missing the point that legally held shotguns are not the problem when it comes to gun crime.

By Selena Masson

Friday, 24 August 2007

In the same week that 11 year old Rhys Jones was shot dead in Liverpool, the Western Daily Press published an investigation into the age youngsters are granted shotgun licences. As a result of a Freedom of Information request to five different police forces, it was discovered many youngsters had been granted a licence.

Unsurprisingly, anti-gun campaigners said they were shocked by the high figures of young licence holders and "have called for the practice to stop".

Anti-gun campaigner for national pressure group, Mothers Against Guns, Michelle Forbes, said: "I don't understand why we are encouraging youngsters to play with guns; they are not toys."

Predictably, the League Against Cruel Sports also jumped on the bandwagon, stating: "What is society coming to when children as young as nine are issued with shotgun licences?"

Jill Grieve, of the Countryside Alliance, commented the story fails to understand legally held firearms are not the problem: "The problem is the use and abuse of illegal firearms. The users of legally held guns for sporting, target or pest control purposes are among the most law-abiding and responsible members of the community, a fact recognised by both the government and the police."

The rest of this story will appear in the 30 August edition of Shooting Times.

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Comments

\judi Hewitt

Wed, 26th Mar 2008 22:14:47

What a pity shooters can't see animals and birds as sentient the way some of us (anti-hunt) do. Because if you could, you would not be able to shoot them. And just incase all your enthusiasts start screaming she must a Vegetarian. Damn right I am - for over fifty years and proud of it. The benefits being, at sixty one I am still incredibly young looking, healthy and scramble up mountains for fun. Killing animals and birds even for the table is wrong when there is ample food to be had without the need to take a life. Shooting targets is okay as long as they're not living. By the way, my husband used to be a shooter. Until one day we came across a wood pigeion that had been run over. When I insisted we stop the car to check it out, we found there were two of them. One was sat beside its dead mate and only flew off when I bent down to pick up what I thought was an injured bird. After moving the dead creature onto the grass verge, its mate flew back down and sat once more beside it. Now I don't expect you shooters to be as sensitive as my own 'mate' and me, but you can at least consider your actions next time you take a life without even thinking about the bird or animal in your sights.

Mrs S Mitchell

Fri, 31st Aug 2007 22:25:18

I can not see a problem with youngsters having a shotgun lience as long as they have got a responsable adult accompanying them when they are using a shotgun There are plenty of clay piegon shooting grounds for these youngters to have lessons on safty and respect of the use of a fire arm that inculdes air rifles aswell I clay shoot and game shoot and belong to basc which provides innsurance with every day sort of shooting for which it is not law to have any innsurance with a shotgun certificate you have to with a car why not a firearm

Shaun Freke

Tue, 28th Aug 2007 13:49:21

Unfortunately I live in Gloucestershire which is within the catchment area for the Western Daily Press. Despite perporting to be a countryside friendly publication, the WDP frequently shows it's true anti country sports agenda with ill-researched articles on hunting, shooting and fishing. As a supporter of the countryside first and foremost, and a responsible country sports member I look at it as my duty to put forward a more balanced view. Can I urge any reader of local 'rags' who cover and print loaded articles to make sure you write in reply. Be careful to get your facts rights, be clear in your letter why you object and put a strong argument forward for your case. We all need to make sure that PCism doesn't ruin our way of life.

Mr and Mrs F. Bretherton

Mon, 27th Aug 2007 19:30:34

Our grandson acquired his Shotgun Certificate at the age of 7 and his teacher had no qualms about signing the relevant forms for him. He knows, and has always known, that guns are NOT toys and should be handled with the greatest respect. He has joined various Wildfowling Clubs, which he could not have done without a Certificate, and this will give him more experience of the right way to behave with a gun. We agree with your comments that it is not legally held guns that are the problem and hope that no knee jerk reaction will be taken after the latest tragic event.

What's in this issue?

Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 1st February). FREE PRIZE DRAW - it is week 3 of our great "Gun a Week" competition, see P53 for further details and how to enter! Plus, who is top dog? Paul Rawlings reports on the 2012 Cocker Spaniel Championship. Get down to your newsagents and buy your copy today!