The pistol ban came at a time when I had a life changing offer to move for a new executive position to the US, it was a great opportunity and the ban certainly made the decision easier. At the time I ran a rifle and pistol shooting club in the UK and owned a large number of pistols, I was able to take many with me but even the US restricted short barrel handguns and silenced weapons. I flew British Airways with about a dozen handguns in a suitcase, and a dozen long guns. I had acquired a US import permit and local US pistol purchase permits. I was warmly welcomed in the US by both customs and the local police who had to inspect my handguns. I had several "tuned race guns" that came from practical shooting and the US guys were most interested.
I continue to split my time between the UK and the US and still enjoy the regular use of my original pistols in the US and another dozen or so that I acquired in the US over the years. I own a carry permit and spend a lot of time in the woods where we have bears, I nearly always carry a handgun in the woods and generally in the car on longer road trips. It's a different life where guns are welcome but the US does have a significantly higher misuse of firearms.
I remember handing in my other handguns and accessories, I believe my compensation payment was about £12,000, it included hundreds of .45 mags that I purchased for about £1 each and thousands of rounds of hollow point ammunition that I had loaded to make sure I got most compensation possible. The police guys involved could not believe that anyone could own that much in accessories and ammunition my comment was simple, "it was all legal and I did not create the law change".
Having recently retired, I now have more time for my shooting, stalking and international hunting trips, I'm shooting more than ever in the UK for driven birds, clay pigeon and stalking. In the US I'm planning on getting back into long distance rifle and recently went to look at several nice rifles, I still find it quite amazing that in the US I can walk into any gun shop and leave with anything that I want, either long gun or pistol, I think my latest addition will be a Barret MRAD in .338 Lapua, I always wanted a Barret M82A1 in .50 cal , I don't have a use but as a keen shooter you just want one because you can!
I feel lucky to have continued pistol shooting in life, however, I firmly believe that pistol ownership will never become legal again in the UK, not even in .22. As shooters we remain too fragmented and do not support each other's type of shooting, we have never become organized into one strong body with a unified voice. While BASC have made a good effort, real organization requires significant financial support and continual political lobbying. We are prepared to let small things go without a fight and because it may not directly affect us, we have allowed the thin end of the wedge on so many issues and overwhelming public opinion and outcry to impact UK gun ownership and shooting sports. As many have commented on here, many of the gun related tragedies over the years involved a failing in administrating existing firearms legislation. We will be lucky to hold on to the current situation in the UK regarding firearms and shot gun ownership.
Back in the early 1980's I joined the Shooters Rights Association, none of my fellow shooters joined, they all felt it was a little "too far to the right"! In my opinion the SRA are still fighting hard for shooters rights in the UK and defending many law abiding shooters in the courts. The UK needs strong fighting bodies to just hold things where they are at, these shooting associations need members and financial support. Shooting is not a cheap sport, make sure you find the small cost required to be a member to associations that are truly fighting for our sport and rights. It's down to every one of us to remain vocal with our MP's and be proud to be a shooting person.
