Firearms UK is an online campaign aiming to protect gun ownership for law abiding citizens in the UK and to encourage unity and positive action within the shooting community. http://firearmsuk.wordpress.com Email: contact.firearms.uk@gmail.com

Firearms UK’s Response to the Gun Control Network’s (GCN) Stated Mission Statement

and Objectives

Version 1.0 Issued 18th June 2013

Firearms UK

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Introduction

Firearms UK have produced this document to respond to the mission and objectives of the Gun Control

Network (GCN) as stated on their website. It is our objective to provide counter arguments to their

listed statements in order to provide balanced discussion.

For clarity responses from Firearms UK are shown in Italic following the heading [Firearms UK

Response]

The original GCN text, contained in “quotes”, used as a base for this document was sourced from the GCN’s own website on 01/05/2013.

Sections from the GCN Website MISSION STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................. 3

OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................. 4

STRATEGY ................................................................................................................................................ 8

Fair Representation ............................................................................................................................. 8

TEXT FORM GCN TEMPLATE LETTERS ..................................................................................................... 9

TO COUNCILLORS ................................................................................................................................ 9

TO MPs .............................................................................................................................................. 10

SAMPLE RESOLUTION FOR COUNCILS .............................................................................................. 11

Firearms UK

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MISSION STATEMENT

“The Gun Control Network was established to campaign for tighter controls on guns of all

kinds and a greater awareness of the dangers associated with gun ownership and use.

All our activities and objectives are predicated on the belief that the interests of public

safety demand a reduction in the availability and attractiveness of firearms of all kinds. No

reasonable person doubts the fundamental connection between the number of guns there are in a society and the prevalence of gun homicide, suicide and accident.”

[Firearms UK Response]

There is no evidence to suggest that more guns in law abiding hands leads to more crime.

(1-5) In fact the evidence appears to point to the opposite. Since the handgun ban the

number of crimes where a handgun has been used has increased significantly, a fact which

highlights how despite stringent restrictions and vigorous enforcement of legislation

criminals will find ways to obtain weapons, circumventing any laws, which despite claims

to the contrary at their core target law abiding sections of society, and do so unfairly and

disproportionately.

Suicide and accidents may certainly occur with guns that are legally owned, a fact which

has never been in dispute. Suicide isn’t only possible with a gun, there are countless other

methods that an individual may use to take their life. It is our position that rather than

seeking to ban certain implements which may be used in cases of suicide we should seek

ways to detect those at risk and give them the support and access to services they may

require to help them work through any temptations they may have had to seek out suicide as a solution to their problems. (7-8)

Accidents can be reduced by good practise and training, organisation such as BASC and

the Countryside Alliance provide instructional material and supervised training and

certifications. Awareness of basic gun safety should be taught from an early age. Not only

because the practice of learning firearms safety teaches responsibility, discipline and safe

attitude, but it also helps alleviate an irrational fear which some people would seek to

promote. In contrast, we would rather see children who are aware of the potential dangers

of firearms and have a rational respect for them, rather than an outright fear of them.

There are some very good initiatives currently running that provide guidance to young people on gun and knife safety. (6, 9-14)

We take issue with the view that the attractiveness and availability of firearms should be

reduced, and in fact support the opposite view. We should encourage not just our children

but everyone to understand firearms, and specifically how to be around them safely and

responsibly. We should not limit a legal and responsible view point and encourage a grossly

exaggerated and largely illegal viewpoint portrayed in movies and violent video games,

such a stance only glorifies the illegal use of firearms and totally ignores the many benefits that the responsible use of firearms gives back to society and the individual. (15-18)

It is also clearly wrong to promote a policy which discriminates against others with different

interests or choices. If you don't like firearms don't buy one, don't allow your children to

use one whilst they are under your care, but don't try to force your views on every parent

or every child who doesn't share the same hatred of firearms and their legitimate and lawful use.

Firearms UK

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…. “Almost all guns start out legal and there is no clear demarcation between legal and

illegal weapons. Therefore what is needed is legislation to control the availability of legal weapons and law enforcement to control the illegal ones.”

[Firearms UK Response]

The handgun ban would contradict the above statement, unless all the illegal handguns

currently in Britain are actually from pre-ban days. Those intent on using guns for criminal

purposes will always be able to get their hands on them. But yet the bans have removed

guns from law abiding people who have no wish to cause harm to others. Also clearly any

firearm whether legally purchased or not, becomes an offensive weapon, and as such illegal when that that firearm is used to commit a crime. (19-21)

OBJECTIVES

“All our objectives are predicated on the belief that the interests of public safety demand a reduction in the availability and attractiveness of guns of all kinds.

1. The tightening of gun licensing into a single, more rigorous, system that

includes all firearms, shotguns and air guns. The onus should be on the

applicant to demonstrate their suitability to own a gun and a specific need for

doing so. Any opportunities for the spontaneous purchase of any gun, including air

weapons, should be eliminated.”

[Firearms UK Response]

We support a single certification scheme for firearms, shotguns and high powered

airguns. A system based, although amended somewhat, on the existing Section 2

Shotgun Certificate would be appropriate. There is absolutely no benefit in

licensing low powered airguns as existing laws more than adequately cover their

misuse. A background check and Police interview being part of the application

process will provide an opportunity to vet candidates who are unsuitable or otherwise barred from the granting of a certificate

The purchase of guns covered by a revised certificate scheme would only be

possible on the presentation of a valid certificate. The purchase/transfer would be

recorded in a similar fashion to that done under the current system. Currently, it

is impossible to “spontaneous purchase” any gun that is covered by a Firearms

Certificate, unless type of gun, and the quantity of, is already listed on the Firearms

Certificate. The purchase of low powered airguns is already covered under existing

laws. (22)

Firearms UK

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2. “A licence for every gun, renewed annually (as opposed to the current five-year renewal) and requiring two referees for each application and its renewal.”

[Firearms UK Response]

Presumably the GCN would expect the law abiding gun owner to pay for the

significant increase in Police work involved in renewing certificates on an annual

basis. The Police currently have the powers to revoke a certificate if the individual

is considered unsuitable to own guns.

To reduce the cost to both the tax payer and individual law abiding gun owners we

would propose no requirement to renew certificates after a probationary period of

two years since the initial granting of a certificate. The Police would retain the

authority to revoke the certificate at any time they believe the individual to be

unsuitable to own guns. There would of course by an appeals process.

With the authority to revoke and temporarily suspend certificates already well-

established there is no benefit to public safety by such a change in licencing laws.

Such a stance would only ramp up costs both for the public tax payer and the

applicant. Legislation should not be based on the agenda of a bigoted organization

who seek to make life difficult for law abiding people, which is what the GCN are proposing here.

3. “An increase in the licence fee in order to cover the cost of policing a more rigorous system.”

[Firearms UK Response]

While it is acceptable that people wishing to obtain a certificate/license should

contribute financially, it is also to serve the public interest that authorities retain

details of who owns guns, therefore there should also be a public contribution. By

simplifying the certificate application and grant process significant costs savings

can be made to the tax payer. It may be appropriate that a lifetime certificate

costs more than the current five year certificate. Clearly the GCN's objective here is to make the certificate fee itself an obstacle to an applicant pursing a licence.

Firearms UK

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4. “Lifting the secrecy about gun ownership, making it possible for certain

professionals and members of the public to find out who has a licence and for what purpose.”

[Firearms UK Response]

It is currently possible for those with access to the Police National Computer system to gain information regarding an individual’s firearms ownership details.

Members of the public obtaining details of who holds a certificate/license may

actually permit criminals to target households where they know for sure that the

occupants are not a certificate holder and therefore don’t have guns. However, if

criminals are actively searching for guns then perhaps they would actually target

those houses where they may be able to steal guns. This could in fact increase the

number of illegal guns in the hands of criminals, something that no reasonable person wants to happen. (23)

There is also no secrecy about gun ownership it is just private information and as

such should be afforded the same respect as other private information such as an

individual’s address and tax information. People join clubs, people take part in

organized and publicized shoots, people share photos and discuss firearms on social networks, etc.

5. “A National Gun Hotline for those wishing to record their concerns about a gun

owner. This should be a well-advertised free phone line for those concerned about their own or another’s safety or the behaviour or well-being of a gun owner.”

[Firearms UK Response]

There is already a National Hotline available, its number is 999.

It would be immensely costly to implement a new hotline dedicated for gun related

issues and would serve no additional benefit to the existing services available to

those who are a victim of crime. It would also be extremely confusing for members

of the public to determine which number they should call if they are concerned

about a gun related matter. This is just another tactic to further demonize lawful

gun owners and to promote an atmosphere of fear to further their own anti-gun agenda.

Firearms UK

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6. “Refusal or revocation of a gun licence where there is evidence of domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse, misuse of a gun, when a relevant misdemeanour

has been committed (e.g. shooting of wildlife, threatening behaviour or negligent storage of the weapon) or when an applicant has a significant criminal conviction.”

[Firearms UK Response]

We agree that individuals with a record of violent behaviour and those who are

persistent offenders should be subject to an increased level of investigation and

review during the application process. The Police already have powers to revoke certificates if they deem the individual unsuitable to own guns.

7. “Mandatory notification to GPs at the point when a patient becomes a legal gun owner.”

[Firearms UK Response]

We do not see any requirement for this. Many people see multiple GPs, despite

having a notionally nominated GP. Whilst we can understand that people’s mental

state may change throughout their life we believe there are existing procedures in

place for advising authorities if an individual becomes a danger to the general public

or themselves. We would also be concerned in case the individual’s GP happened

to hold an “anti-gun” position and could therefore unfairly influence the individual’s application. (24-26)

8. “Mandatory private and discrete notification to former and present partners

of new and repeat applicants. Evidence from Canada and Australia shows that

gun-related domestic violence has decreased as the legal frameworks on gun

licensing and domestic violence have become harmonised.”

[Firearms UK Response]

Currently during the application process partners living with the applicant are

questioned about their views relating to the possibility of guns being on the

premises, despite this potentially being an infringement of the individual’s privacy

rights. We do not agree that former partners who no longer live with the applicant have any right to know the personal business of the applicant.

Firearms UK

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…. “We recognise the existence of a significant minority interest in shooting for sport,

and our proposals are aimed at striking an appropriate balance between the sport-shooting interest and the overriding interest in public safety.”

[Firearms UK Response]

We welcome the Gun Control network’s acknowledgment of the existence of interest in

shooting for sport. We don’t agree that it is a minority sport given that millions of law

abiding people partake in legal shooting sports and activities. We believe the wording of

the above statement is deliberately set out to allow for further restrictions based upon

what they would define as “in the public interest” rather than what would be proportionate and justifiable.

STRATEGY

Fair Representation

“The GCN calls for the routine representation of the victims of firearms crime

and of gun control organisations on any government and quasi-government

body, always in equal numbers with any representatives of the firearms industry

or shooting associations. We had particular concerns about the Firearms

Consultative Committee, which has now been disbanded and want to ensure

that no future body gives undue weight to the narrow sectional interests of the

shooting fraternity.”

[Firearms UK Response]

We support fair representation and the rights of law abiding individuals to pursue lawful

professions, hobbies and activities without hindrance from those that may disagree with

that particular activity. Everyone has the right to an opinion, however only verifiable facts

and figures should be used when attempting to influence legislation that would restrict

current lawful activity.

Legislation should be discussed calmly and logically, it is not to be used as a soundboard

for very emotional and distraught people who have suffered through tragedy, as with jury

duty including the victims of a crime on the jury would be unfair to the political and lawful

process of establishing well-reasoned law and is of an unfair bias. Opposition to shooting

is already represented often to a weighted bias by the GCN and its supporters.

Firearms UK

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TEXT FORM GCN TEMPLATE LETTERS

TO COUNCILLORS

“I am writing to express my support for further gun controls and to urge the council to

take what action it can to reduce the opportunities for shooting in [your area].

I very much hope that the Education Committee will take the view that the introduction of CCFs in state schools is entirely unacceptable for the following reasons;

1. Guns are dangerous weapons and have no place in educational

establishments; children should be protected from guns not encouraged to

develop an interest in them. 2. Arsenals of guns pose a quite unnecessary risk to the safety of children

and teachers. They are susceptible to criminal attack and require a level of

security that is inappropriate to a school. 3. If the Ministry of Defence has public money to spend on encouraging

discipline and teamwork in children and young people then it should

transfer that money to schools to be used for more suitable extra

curricular activities e.g. outward bound courses or

community/environmental service.

This is an issue about which parents all over the country feel very deeply. Guns are made for killing and do not belong in schools.”

[Firearms UK Response]

It is disturbing that the GCN believes that young people should not be educated about safe

gun use if they show an interest in responsible shooting activities. Many top sports men

and women started their sporting careers shooting at an early age. There is absolutely no

evidence to suggest that introducing children to the legal, safe and responsible use of guns

increases risk in fact Firearms UK would suggest that the opposite is true, well trained gun

users reduce risk. If society respected our young people and instilled a level of

responsibility in them perhaps we would be in a better place. Shooting sports gives young

people discipline, responsibility, and awareness of their environment, focus and

confidence. Firearms UK believe these are all positive attributes. Many of the young

people who attend CCF go on to serve in the UK armed forces. These are the very people who protect our country and freedom to live our lives as we wish.

Firearms UK

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TO MPs

“Control of Guns I write to express my growing concern about the number of ‘look-alike’ guns that

are currently flooding the market. Some of them are sold as toys, such as BB

guns which shoot pellets, and others as non-functional replicas manufactured

under an agreement with the companies who make the real guns such as Colt

and Smith & Wesson.

These look-alikes are all freely available in toy shops, camping shops, markets

and other high street outlets; they are not certified and can be owned by anyone

including children. Since they cannot be distinguished from the real thing they

pose a significant threat to the general public, to shop workers and bank clerks,

to the police and to the owner himself who may mistakenly be thought to be

carrying a real gun. …. Public safety is being threatened by these guns which have no sporting

purpose and which should be removed from circulation …. I urge you to bring the matter up with the relevant government minister and

request that a ban on ‘look-alikes’ is introduced as soon as possible.”

[Firearms UK Response]

Realistic replicas are controlled items within the UK, they are most definitely not sold as

toys.

Firearms UK

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SAMPLE RESOLUTION FOR COUNCILS

"This council welcomed the decisive action taken by the government in November 1997

to ban all handguns but notes that the large majority of the law-abiding public wish the

government to go further. In particular, we urge the government to introduce a

minimum age limit of 18 for all guns, and to introduce a ban on all “lookalike” weapons, be they toys or replicas.

All councillors are urged to pledge themselves not to sign applications for firearms certificates.”

[Firearms UK Response]

There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that introducing young people to the legal, safe and responsible use of guns poses an increased risk to public safety.

There is no evidence that the “law-abiding public” wish the Government to “go further”

with restrictions on gun ownership. Firearms UK believe that the “law-abiding public”,

including law abiding gun owners wish the Government to concentrate on deterring

criminals from carrying out crimes in the first place, and there is a growing attitude within

the British public that legislation that unfairly and disproportionately targets lawful people should come under review. (27)

We find the GCN’s attempt to influence Councillors not to sign Firearms Certificate

applications appalling. The Firearms Certificate process is set down in law and provides a

means for individuals to pursue their professions, hobbies and sports in a lawful manner,

for this reason we would support the adoption of a “shall issue” style amendment,

whereupon without justifiable legal reasons for denial the granting of a certificate would

be automatically assured.

Firearms UK

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