Air weapons scotland

[Woodsmoke]

Has anyone in Scotland heard the horrendous advert on the radio advertising this? "No Licence, not Airgun"

It gets worse. This was seen on a bus in Aberdeen. Blatant and insulting discrimination. I've already penned an email to my MSP, and I would hope others would feel enough outrage to do the same. Air rifle, centrefire, or shotgun. We're all in this together and need to present a united front to stop this outrageous nonsense being allowed to continue

 

[McKenzie]

It gets worse. This was seen on a bus in Aberdeen. Blatant and insulting discrimination. I've already penned an email to my MSP, and I would hope others would feel enough outrage to do the same. Air rifle, centrefire, or shotgun. We're all in this together and need to present a united front to stop this outrageous nonsense being allowed to continue

The original brief for these ads was for 2 versions, one young lad in an urban setting & one keeper or similar with empty hands in a shooting stance & I imagine that the ads will be placed to reach the 2 very different groups. Don't assume that the urban one will be the only option.

 

[Woodsmoke]

Don't assume that the urban one will be the only option

You can't assume anything with this idiocy, I'm finding. Regardless, the assumption made by many who see the advert in my post is that the young lad in question is no doubt taking aim at Tiddles, Fluffy, or Mrs Miggins bedroom window. The context is being deliberately manipulated to massage anti-firearms outrage from the uninformed public prior to the SNPs next anti-firearms move. And a separate advert aimed at the rural viewer is patronising in the extreme, given that we already appear to know more about this stupid piece of legislation and its repercussions than the SNP do themselves.

They ain't out to do US any favours, so don't be fooled into being complacent. If they weren't being deliberately manipulative, that young lad in the advert would quite clearly be shooting at a target in his garden, under suitable supervision . . . . . . .

 

[slider]

Further detail released today.

Info courtesy of SACS.

SCOTTISH AIRGUN LICENSING – FEES, FORMS AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFO - PLEASE READ AND SHARE
SACS does not support airgun licensing - we believe it is stupid and di...sproportionate - but we have to make members aware of important information.
We now have info on the fees, forms and other details of how airgun licensing will operate.
Whole document:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2016/188/contents/made
Link to fees section:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/…/…/188/schedule/3/part/1/made
Fee notes:
- Main AWC (air weapon certificate) fee is £72 for 5-year certificate
- Shorter certificates may be issued to smooth out peak flow demand. This will be on a pro-rata cost basis.
- Applicants under 18 will have lower certificate fees relative to the number of years under 18, at which point they will have to apply for a full AWC i.e. someone 17 years old pays less than someone 15 years old.
- Applicants who have FAC or SGC can apply for an AWC that expires at the same time as their other certificate(s).
- The AWC fee for FAC and SGC holders will be £5.
- The visitor permit cost is £20 for an individual and £100 for 5 to 20 persons - this is ludicrous and will harm airgun sports tourism, including matches and competitions


The document outlines:
- About air weapon certificates
- Photograph requirements
- Police permits
- Visitor permits
- Variations
- Event permits
- Approval of air weapon clubs
- Mandatory conditions
- Replacement certificates, permits and approvals
- Fees
- Duration of air weapon certificates
- Application forms:
AWL1 Application for the grant or renewal of an air weapon certificate
AWL1a Air weapon certificate (what it will look like)
AWL2 Application for the grant of a police permit
AWL2a Police permit
AWL3 Application for the grant of a visitor permit
AWL3a Visitor permit
AWL4 Application for the variation of an air weapon certificate, a police permit or a visitor permit
AWL5 Application for the grant of an event permit
AWL5a Event permit
AWL6 Application for the grant or renewal of an approval of an air weapon club
AWL6a Approval of an air weapon club
AWL7 Application for the variation of an approved air weapon club’s approvalOther points:-
- The full Act comes into force on 1 January 2017.
- Applications for AWCs will start from 1 July this year, though AWCs will not take effect until 1 January 2017.
- Existing SGC or FAC holders are covered to possess and use (not buy) airguns until their next renewal.
- Airgunners who are not FAC/SGC holders have until 1 November this year to apply for an AWC* [* It is not an offence for a person on or after 31st December 2016 to possess (but not to use, purchase or acquire) an air weapon without holding an air weapon certificate if the person has, before 1st November 2016, made an application for the grant of an air weapon certificate and the application has not yet been determined. This does not apply to FAC/SGC holders who are automatically covered to possess and use airguns until their next renewal date.]
Members should make themselves aware of the new law. We will try to distill and clarify confusing aspects. Any SACS members with questions should get in touch with us

 

[enfieldspares]

Slider. Thank you very much for that £72! We now have the Cats' Protection League calling for air gun licensing in England and Wales.

 

[Woodsmoke]

now have the Cats' Protection League calling for air gun licensing in England and Wales

Don't hear the RSPB calling for Domestic Cat Licensing, do we?

 

[Sinistral]

(For those who may have missed it yesterday)

AITHISG OFIGEIL
Meeting of the Scottish Parliament 02 June 2016

First Minister’s Question Time
See more at:
http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10456#sthash.ecgRFUCv.dpuf

Question 5 - Air Weapons (Impact of Ban)

5. Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP): To ask the First Minister what impact the introduction of a ban on air weapons has had. (S5F-00033)

The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon): The Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, which gained royal assent on 4 August last year, sets out a new licensing regime that will allow the police to issue certificates only to those who have a legitimate need or use for an air weapon. That will help to reduce gun crime and improve public safety.

Advance applications for licences can be made to the police from 1 July this year, and, from 31 December, it will be an offence to use, possess, purchase or acquire an air weapon without the necessary certificate or permit, unless a person is exempt under the legislation.

Ahead of that, the police are running a three-week hand-in campaign, which runs until 12 June. There has been a good response so far, with more than 2,300 air weapons being surrendered in the first week alone.

Gillian Martin: In many areas, such as rural Aberdeenshire, which I represent, the use of air weapons is a part of life, particularly in land management. Can the First Minister assure me that the legislation will not change that, and will simply help to ensure that such weapons are only ever used in a safe and responsible way?

The First Minister: We have always acknowledged the important role that shooting plays in rural and agricultural life. In fact, the legislation makes specific provision to allow young people to continue to shoot to help protect crops and livestock, or to control pests.

As in all other cases, if a person can satisfy the chief constable that they are a proper person to have an air weapon, that they have a legitimate reason for having one and that they can shoot in a safe environment, they should be able to apply for and obtain a certificate. I think that that takes account of the legitimate concerns that Gillian Martin has raised.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con): Although over 2,000 air weapons have been handed in to the police already, it is estimated that there are 500,000 air guns in Scotland, and Police Scotland already faces a backlog of firearms and shotgun licences. What additional funding will the Scottish Government put in place to help Police Scotland deal with the new air weapons regime?

The First Minister: As I understand it, the police are satisfied that they have the resources in place to deal with the implications of the legislation. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to write to Oliver Mundell with the detail of the resource requirements and the resources that are available. I hope that all of us across the chamber recognise the objective of the legislation and the objective of the hand-in campaign, which is to get guns off our streets and make Scotland safer. The police have a crucial part to play in that and the Government has a crucial part to play in supporting the police to do that job.

 

[Haggis Hunter]

To be fair I think the amnesty has resulted in over 4,000 airguns being handed in so far, so that only leaves just over 99% of the airguns thought to be out there in Scotland still floating about.............

hh

 

[Heym SR20]

(For those who may have missed it yesterday)

AITHISG OFIGEIL
Meeting of the Scottish Parliament 02 June 2016

First Minister’s Question Time
See more at:
http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10456#sthash.ecgRFUCv.dpuf

Question 5 - Air Weapons (Impact of Ban)

5. Gillian Martin (Aberdeenshire East) (SNP): To ask the First Minister what impact the introduction of a ban on air weapons has had. (S5F-00033)

The First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon): The Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015, which gained royal assent on 4 August last year, sets out a new licensing regime that will allow the police to issue certificates only to those who have a legitimate need or use for an air weapon. That will help to reduce gun crime and improve public safety.

Advance applications for licences can be made to the police from 1 July this year, and, from 31 December, it will be an offence to use, possess, purchase or acquire an air weapon without the necessary certificate or permit, unless a person is exempt under the legislation.

Ahead of that, the police are running a three-week hand-in campaign, which runs until 12 June. There has been a good response so far, with more than 2,300 air weapons being surrendered in the first week alone.

Gillian Martin: In many areas, such as rural Aberdeenshire, which I represent, the use of air weapons is a part of life, particularly in land management. Can the First Minister assure me that the legislation will not change that, and will simply help to ensure that such weapons are only ever used in a safe and responsible way?

The First Minister: We have always acknowledged the important role that shooting plays in rural and agricultural life. In fact, the legislation makes specific provision to allow young people to continue to shoot to help protect crops and livestock, or to control pests.

As in all other cases, if a person can satisfy the chief constable that they are a proper person to have an air weapon, that they have a legitimate reason for having one and that they can shoot in a safe environment, they should be able to apply for and obtain a certificate. I think that that takes account of the legitimate concerns that Gillian Martin has raised.

Oliver Mundell (Dumfriesshire) (Con): Although over 2,000 air weapons have been handed in to the police already, it is estimated that there are 500,000 air guns in Scotland, and Police Scotland already faces a backlog of firearms and shotgun licences. What additional funding will the Scottish Government put in place to help Police Scotland deal with the new air weapons regime?

The First Minister: As I understand it, the police are satisfied that they have the resources in place to deal with the implications of the legislation. I will ask the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to write to Oliver Mundell with the detail of the resource requirements and the resources that are available. I hope that all of us across the chamber recognise the objective of the legislation and the objective of the hand-in campaign, which is to get guns off our streets and make Scotland safer. The police have a crucial part to play in that and the Government has a crucial part to play in supporting the police to do that job.

Emphasis on the words - "as I understand it" allows a wide difference of opinion. Ask the same question of an FLO and he/she may also start the response to the question with same words, indeed he/she (yes being politically correct) may use most all of the words in that sentence but they may add a couple of small words. (a hint - the letters of the two word are DONOT)

Its good to see that there is now an opposition starting to ask hard questions.

 

[Harry mac]

: Why not and where is that written?
If I have an open FAC and want to shoot targets in my back garden that is good reason enough.

where the issue is lies with people with no obvious place to shoot
join a club sharpish!

I saw that written in (I think) Gun Mart, and it was a direct quote. It went something like, " I realise that many people use air guns quite safely in their gardens, but under the new laws this will no longer be allowed. This is unfortunate, but in this day and age, guns have no place in our inner cities."

 

[Dalua]

I saw that written in (I think) Gun Mart, and it was a direct quote. It went something like, " I realise that many people use air guns quite safely in their gardens, but under the new laws this will no longer be allowed. This is unfortunate, but in this day and age, guns have no place in our inner cities."

This is the bit that stuck in my mind, found here: Proposals for Licensing Air Weapons in Scotland


28. While this may well be the case, the practice of target shooting in urban or built up areas concerns Ministers, the media and the general public. Apart from immediate public safety concerns, the visibility and ease of access to a weapon in such an environment can lead to alarm or to misuse. While Ministers are very aware of the history of such domestic and hobby shooting, the Scottish Government has a wider responsibility for the safety and reassurance of the public. The sight of guns in residential areas is no longer acceptable.

 

[le.bouc.de.trambly]

A Licence for a puny airgun... !!! SNP etc, I'm so glad I left Scotland 14 years ago. Now I'm just off to the range with my Stag 3tm AR-15 and my Sig Sauer 9mm.

 

[LuckyEddie]

a licence for a puny airgun... !!! Snp etc, i'm so glad i left scotland 14 years ago. Now i'm just off to the range with my stag 3tm ar-15 and my sig sauer 9mm.

but it still was lethal enough to kill a young boy!

 

[le.bouc.de.trambly]

So do knives, hammers etc but they are not worthy nor needing to be licenced either. More children are killed by their parents than by guns. See the sick lesbian couple from Fife if you need further proof. An airgun (aka UK 12 ft/lb type) rests a puny tool not requiring any restrictions other than common sense...

 

[Highlandsjohn]

A Licence for a puny airgun... !!! SNP etc, I'm so glad I left Scotland 14 years ago. Now I'm just off to the range with my Stag 3tm AR-15 and my Sig Sauer 9mm.

Our land is the better without you. I do hope the door didn't hit you on the AR.E INTRODUCTION PLEASE. Welcome to the form.john

 

[le.bouc.de.trambly]

Been on the forum for a long time so no introduction needed but thanks for your ar**y comment. Sorry that you don't consider these laws are uncessary unlike the majority of keen shooters from within the UK and outside. It was lack of effort that led to the UK losing so many rights. I tried to fight hard when they banned handguns. The response was apathy. The future for shooting sports in the UK is likely to be further restricted. Other people than me have voiced these opinions.

 

[LuckyEddie]

An airgun (aka UK 12 ft/lb type) rests a puny tool not requiring any restrictions other than common sense...

Aye and that kind of mentality went out with the dark ages.
Unfortunately Britain has lost it's common sense along time ago.
Times change and it seems to me that some shooters still live in the dim and distant past!

To stay relevant things must evolve or be consigned to history.
Sadly to say we shooters have been lax believing that our shooting organisations (I include all organisations not just BASC!) would stand up for our rights.

This just another step change in gun control that in the history of firearms is small but the change in the last 40-50 years has been dramatic.

Oh and by the way an intro is required doesn't matter how long you have been on the forum!!!!

 

[le.bouc.de.trambly]

Very, but the criminals don't follow the laws. We have seen so much of that recently. Decent sportsmen/women are having to fight hard to justify they are not criminals just to go about their sport/job. BASC and others have as you said failed their members.

 

[LuckyEddie]

I tried to fight hard when they banned handguns. The response was apathy. The future for shooting sports in the UK is likely to be further restricted. Other people than me have voiced these opinions.

So which organisation were you in charge of when you voiced this concern?
As shooters we have very little power ourselves - it has to come from the organisations?
When each law has been introduced how many shooters thought
"Hang on a second I don't like this and I'll make sure I have bigger voice next time around by joining a shooting organisation and getting into the sections that have contact with ministers!"
very few I would say!

 

[le.bouc.de.trambly]

When I was in Scotland I was with BASC and I wrote to my MP as well as trying to drum up support from friends the public etc. Now I choose several forums and groups like all4shooters.com and firearms-united.com I am member of the hunting federation in France. The FFTIR and a lifetime member of the NRA. I do believe strongly in pushing the rights of decent people. I do detest laws that are uncessary and have no bearing on where the real problems in the world lie - international crime and terrorism and not 12ft/lb airguns...