The 'High Muzzle Energy' restrictions have been in the pipeline for a while, if I recall correctly this was almost conceded by 'the orgs' in order to avert a ban. I guess it will be rather hard for them to argue against it now having suggested that was the solution to the perceived risk which was going to have them banned. That said, the evidence which suggests these rifles are actually a risk to the public, rather than a theoretical one, is lacking. Anyway, the police already have this power in reality. I wonder how many .50 cal owners have been allowed to renew/obtain a 50 without having level 3 security?
I can't see what they're getting at with reloading components. 'Make it an offence to possess reloading components with intent to manufacture more than permitted amounts' (or some such). I'd have thought that is an offence already as you're not permitted to have more ammunition than authorised, which for an FAC holder is your permitted amount for for Joe Bloggs is none at all! If the police have evidence that you intend to do this then you're likely to get nicked.
To be honest, if that is all they want to do then I don't care as it really would be a case of restating the existing law. However, I'd be more worried that it then transpires into a ban on mail order of brass and bullets, inevitably pushing up the price.
The airgun bit is the most worrying to my mind. I have a theory that the powers that be know that most people get into shooting by using an air rifle as a teenager (I did). The vast majority do so responsibly. I can't help but think the idea is to strangle off new people coming into shooting by getting it to the point that you can't get into shooting without first going through the rigmarole of getting a license, club probation etc.
I don't doubt that there is an issue with 'yoofs' mucking about with airguns. However, I would be surprised if those who do so already are not committing offences under the existing legislation. If that hasn't worked, and there is plenty of it, I'm really not holding my breath that this will. Delinquents will still get cheap air rifles from irresponsible adults (many of them wouldn't be behaving as they do if the adults in their lives weren't), I fear all this will do is mean that law abiding parents will be unable to let their kids use an air rifle as it won't be practical to provide 1 on 1 supervision. I spent hundreds of hours of my teenage years in the fields and woods with my air rifle. My Dad is into shooting but I can't see he would have had the time to supervise it all!