Moray Outfitting
Well-Known Member
I was involved in a debate over on Bushcraft Uk recently - in my persona as 'Oakleaf'.
Its here - Scottish air gun licence
It was very interesting - not least because one of the Moderators - Toddy - really made an effort to engage in the discussion. Part of what she writes is playing Devil's Advocate, but much of it isn't. Needless to say I disagreed with much of what she did say - politely! Regardless of that, what she had to say made for great reading.
So often such threads are the usual arguing of semantics amongst ourselves. This thread gave an insight I've not seen anywhere else, into the thought processes of the general public. As I have noted in the thread, it makes chilling reading. For me it drove home just how far 'WE' have let things slide in terms of the public image of us. Every time self interest and ego won out, every word we spent bickering like children amongst ourselves, every time the other cheek was turned - not through moral righteousness but because it was SEP ( Someone Else's Problem ) or just too much trouble. Every time we bemoan how XYZ Organisation is jobs for the boys, aren't doing anything, but make not one effort to vote at meetings or write demanding change - or just fail to support another shooter because they shoot DTL and that's nothing to do with me.
Please read the thread linked above. Please just read it - I post it as a positive, not a criticism of anyone ( except ourselves ). I would be personally very disappointed if some pleb on here uses it as an excuse to mouth off at Toddy or BCUK... and I mean VERY
Prompted by the thread, I went and read the Bill ( here - http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Bills/Air%20Weapons%20and%20Licensing%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b49s4-introd.pdf ) . Its freely available as a PDF. Whether you live in Scotland or not, be clear this is nothing to do with the Independence Vote - its everything to do with bad politics, unfit for purpose Politicians who are not held to account, leading to bad laws and all progressing because as a group we've taken head in sand burying to an art form!
Read it and if you are still not motivated enough to write a letter to your MP/MSP and one to the editor of a Red Top - then we are all truly in the twilight time of this sport as we know it. What to write? See - http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Bills/Air%20Weapons%20and%20Licensing%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b49s4-introd-pm.pdf - and compare their own stated objectives with the actual result - the two halves just simply do not join up.
Please, please guys, if this fires you up - then before posting here, send that e mail to your MP/ MSP.
But beyond that - you at yourself. What personal things can you do to rebuild the image of shooting. Dont gas about it here - go do it!
Its here - Scottish air gun licence
It was very interesting - not least because one of the Moderators - Toddy - really made an effort to engage in the discussion. Part of what she writes is playing Devil's Advocate, but much of it isn't. Needless to say I disagreed with much of what she did say - politely! Regardless of that, what she had to say made for great reading.
So often such threads are the usual arguing of semantics amongst ourselves. This thread gave an insight I've not seen anywhere else, into the thought processes of the general public. As I have noted in the thread, it makes chilling reading. For me it drove home just how far 'WE' have let things slide in terms of the public image of us. Every time self interest and ego won out, every word we spent bickering like children amongst ourselves, every time the other cheek was turned - not through moral righteousness but because it was SEP ( Someone Else's Problem ) or just too much trouble. Every time we bemoan how XYZ Organisation is jobs for the boys, aren't doing anything, but make not one effort to vote at meetings or write demanding change - or just fail to support another shooter because they shoot DTL and that's nothing to do with me.
Please read the thread linked above. Please just read it - I post it as a positive, not a criticism of anyone ( except ourselves ). I would be personally very disappointed if some pleb on here uses it as an excuse to mouth off at Toddy or BCUK... and I mean VERY
Prompted by the thread, I went and read the Bill ( here - http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Bills/Air%20Weapons%20and%20Licensing%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b49s4-introd.pdf ) . Its freely available as a PDF. Whether you live in Scotland or not, be clear this is nothing to do with the Independence Vote - its everything to do with bad politics, unfit for purpose Politicians who are not held to account, leading to bad laws and all progressing because as a group we've taken head in sand burying to an art form!
Read it and if you are still not motivated enough to write a letter to your MP/MSP and one to the editor of a Red Top - then we are all truly in the twilight time of this sport as we know it. What to write? See - http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/S4_Bills/Air%20Weapons%20and%20Licensing%20(Scotland)%20Bill/b49s4-introd-pm.pdf - and compare their own stated objectives with the actual result - the two halves just simply do not join up.
Please, please guys, if this fires you up - then before posting here, send that e mail to your MP/ MSP.
But beyond that - you at yourself. What personal things can you do to rebuild the image of shooting. Dont gas about it here - go do it!
