If you can't answer the question you are asked, then answer one you can

Why then has the Government chosen to provide a platform for the anti-gun lobby to push for restrictions on legitimate firearms which they know will have no impact on their stated objective? It probably comes down to the old political fallback - "if you can't answer the question you are asked, then answer one you can". Gun crime is a social problem - its solution lies in tackling the educational and social failures which have created a disadvantaged underclass in our inner cities. There is no quick fix and while the social problems persist gun crime will continue to rise. For a Government desperate to be seen to be tackling the issue this is not a happy scenario. They need to be able to point to 'something' they are doing about guns - and that is why legitimate gun owners are facing illogical, pointless restrictions.