The ban on replicas, the sport of Airsoft and airgunning

I frequent a number of shooting forums on the Internet. Here is a copy of my most recent posting to my local Airsoft forum, the members of which are just beginning to realise what it feels like to be lead up the long stone staircase to the alter of sacrifice:

I frequent another forum which is about airguns. On that forum I've seen talk about how this bill isn't so bad. There seems to be a general lack of support for airsoft in the same way that there was a lack of cross disciplne support when handguns were banned. There is one thing I cannot stand and that is a lack of cross disciplne support. It has been and will continue to be the death of all shooting in England. Here is my reply to one poster:

Let me say why the ban on imitation firearms will affect airgunning in the mid term.

The press believe that replica handguns are being banned. This is false for two reasons. Firstly it is the sale that is being banned not ownership and secondly the press believe that all air pistols and c02 pistols are 'replicas'. They are not, they are classified as firearms.

Now, criminals will continue to use replicas, air pistols and 'real TV' guns regardless of what the law says. They can be excluded from the picture completely.

What can not be excluded is the kids and idiots that want to carry these things in public and generally fool around. They will no longer be able to get hold of items such as airsoft replicas through any legal means. Have a think about what this means and what they will then do.

That's right; co2 pistols. Just as realistic as airsoft and the real thing and that is where they are going to satisfy their desires. Never mind that it breaks the law, they were doing that by carrying their replicas around in public without good reason.

These pistols are far more lethal than the airsoft variety. Incidents of dangerous injury or even death will increase. Incidents of the police out on the streets being faced with these lesser firearms but greater replicas will increase.

The press will start sounding off about loopholes allowing lethal guns on the streets when toy ones are banned.

ACPO will get all political again, the politicians will follow suit and sporting airgun users will be sacrificed again at the alter of political expediency.

That is why we should never give an inch. That is why our shooting organisations should fight like lions for all minority shooting rights.

That is why all shooters should do likewise.

If they don't they will loose in the end game.

On the subject of the proposed ban on airsoft the way this is happening is another example of why all shooters need to stick together.

When the goverment banned pistol shooting they compensated the shooters for their equipment. This turned out to be expensive and prompted the government to use a different tact when they decided to ban air cartridge weapons. Instead of banning them outright the government licensed existing owners and banned the sale and manufacturing of the guns.

They have chosen a similar tact for airsoft (excluding licensing) now that this precedent has been set. It was virtually unchallenged in parliament at the time and now means that the government can destroy virtually any shooting sport for political expediency without having it cost them anything.

Airsofters are now in the frame. It won't be long until it is Co2 (and other) pistols.

On a more personal note; I have been in this game of shooting and politics for a long time to the detriment of my health. My journey to the dark side of disaffection with the government and the political process is now complete. I will no longer cooperate with the state or any agent of the state unless by withholding my cooperation I am seen to be breaking the law. That is the result of decades belonging to a politically incorrect minority group in this country.

Posted by John at June 13, 2005 12:40 PM | TrackBack