I have mixed feelings about this. First I agree that antis and politicians and the uninformed, use these tragedies as an excuse to beat us up.
When Andrew Morton (aged 2) was shot and murdered by drug addict, Mark Bonini, he was being carried by his brother (aged 13). Bonini was reported as saying by his friend,'this is where I shoot school children in the morning' opening his bedroom window. I believe he fired indiscriminately from that same window when the kids were on their way to the chippy in the evening, hitting Andrew in the head. Bound to stir emotions, if it was our child or someone we knew.............
We, like many on here, run quite a well attended air rifle section at our club,where the kids (and adults) get properly instructed,often by Dads and Mums,taking an interest. If it takes membership of such, or other good reason, to clear irresponsible idiots of having air rifles off the streets, then so be it. I for one dont think its a totally bad objective.
Back in the day I believe youngsters were fortunate to being out and about with their gun without too much harassment.
Maybe more open spaces, look at where you used to play and see what's there now. There were no mobile phones for reporting to the police, often resulting in the ARU getting out for a bit of exercise, by busybodies who are mostly sad f*****s with nothing better to do with their time.
We are where we are, however this cluster**** pans out. It's the police with more pressure on them, who will have to make it work, which will be a miracle. We only have to look to killings and incidents that take place with FAC holders, who, if the bobbies had done the jobs, would not have had their firearms and probably not have happened.
Im sure I dont have to give events which we, legitimate law abiding holders, still suffer the consequences. john