Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
8 February 2011
14:4291964#1
In an attempt to save yet more money from their depleted funds two police forces are to issue gun licences either by post and telephone.This means no home visits from Police Officers to check out the individual,locking storage cupboard for the firearms ,question the applicant about his/her reasons for wanting a licence and details of weapons held and registered.
As the country reels from an increase in knife crime it would appear the police are being forced to weaken its gun restrictions.
Not sure what type of message this sends out about gun control.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
8 February 2011
15:2291968#2
A very disturbing message it sends out!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
8 February 2011
16:2791976#3
an outrage that anyone can get a licence without being vetted.
whether this is a ploy from the two forces to put pressure on for less funding cuts, only they will know.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
8 February 2011
18:4191991#4
I don't think this is a problem, in fact I'd rather we were like Switzerland where every home has one.
No-one can get a license without vetting, the application form is very detailed and very easy to check all the information given. When I had a shotgun license (I don't now) the home visit was only done on the initial application although you were always subject to a random visit, and the firearms officer was a civilian employee. All renewals and changes of guns held were done by post, and you don't have to give a reason for wanting a shotgun license. Rifles are different, you have to specify where you will be using them.
Criminals will always get guns whatever the restrictions, but there are hundreds of thousands of responsible license holders. It is estimated that up to 10% of cars driving around on a Sunday morning have a shotgun in the boot on their way to a shoot, bet you hadn't noticed.
I'll put my tin helmet on and wait for the flak
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
8 February 2011
18:4491993#5
You should not get flak Ray for providing well informed and a balanced viewpoint.
The important thing here is that indeed it is the illegal guns in the hands of criminals that are the real danger. It is very unusual that people who legally hold guns are involved in problems though there have been some horrible instances.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
8 February 2011
18:4991994#6
i think you deserve flak on this one ray, legally held guns owned by responsible owners can easily fall into the hands of criminals.
i have never understood why people with children have one in the house at all, it may be locked up in cupboard 99% of the time, but humans are fallible and do sometimes forget.
i would like to see everyone have a psychological check before being issued with a licence.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
8 February 2011
20:1292009#7
Ray, I was at a Swiss house-hold for dinner once, and the Swiss and I talked about Democracy. But they did not tell me that every household shoul have a gun!
We need Police, and not private guns!
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
8 February 2011
22:5092026#8
Howard - licenced legal guns have to be kept in secured cabinets that are not 'easily' stolen. It is easier for them to get an illegal gun so why would they even want to take extra risks to get a legal one.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
8 February 2011
23:5692030#9
I think we may be missing the point that should someone (crimbo) be found to be in possession of a properly licenced and secured firearm that those charges can be taken into consideration should other charges be dropped by the CPS or withdrawn on a technicality.
It's also important that members of the public feel 'protected' by restrictions being in situ with regards to the keeping of firearms.
Also guns need to be kept locked up so they don't fall into the wrong hands ie criminals and more importantly children who would treat them as play things,as has happened in the States where one son shot his brother for fun "just like on tv".
All illegal guns as BarryW puts it have to originate from somewhere they are not constructed on the back streets of Blackburn so the tighter control we have on the legal ones the less chance there is of them falling into the wrong hands.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
9 February 2011
01:1492034#10
A gun in the wrong hands (especially at close range) is almost as dangerous as a large meat cleaver you can buy at any cookstore. Or an axe or chainsaw from B&Q. When are such weapons going to be banned or made available only under the terms of a police permit?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
9 February 2011
05:4092035#11
Peter
I make no mention of banning guns but is that what your in favour of?
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
9 February 2011
07:4492036#12
Marek - most illegal guns are just that and did not 'originate' from legal civilian sources in the UK.
One of the most pointless and idiotic pieces of legislation was the ban on legal handguns including target shooting clubs. Since that ban statistics show that there are more and more illegal handguns around, the ban did nothing at all and only destroyed a hobby and sport.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
9 February 2011
08:2092039#13
Obviously I'm in the minority as it would appear that most Dovorians appear to be more concerned about dog #hit , dog licences, park benches , public bogs and Witherspoon drinkers etc than they are about some nutter walking around with a gun due to cuts and a relaxation in the laws. Silly Billy me...
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
9 February 2011
09:0192044#14
I agree Marek.
Roger
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
9 February 2011
09:3992051#15
All handguns are already banned, Marek. It's only shotguns and hunting rifles you can get permits for.
And yes, I think many of us feel that low-level antisocial behaviour and minor offending which go on all over Dover day after day ought to be tackled as a higher priority than getting upset about a slightly increased risk of a one-in-a-million event like Dunblane or Hungerford.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
9 February 2011
21:5992107#16
I'm quite surprised at this thread and also the comments.
Wich is the larger? gun crime or knife crime?
Yes people do get hold of guns and it's obviously hand guns because they are more easy to conceal,whereas a long weapon a rifle is not. Licence or no licence criminals will still get hold of them and they are easy to come by.
Knifes, lock knifes and fixed blades over 4 inches are illegal, yet you can go into ANY tackle shop or hobby or gun shop in the country and buy these things even in Dover, any size shape or form, even with knuckle dusters on them.
So if they are illegal to own then why are they being sold.
I never thought of you as a silly billy Marek.
The real shootists ( sportsmen and farmers ) are all being penalised for the odd nutter or two
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
9 February 2011
22:1592108#17
America. I have nothing else to say.
9 February 2011
22:1992109#18
Other than my Grandfather was imprisoned in Ireland for shooting the man who shot his dog. I'm with Grandpa. The man who shot the dog, by the way, was a Brit Black and Tan who shot the dog "because he could".
And other than if there had been a gun in our house when we were younger I would have been a widow long ago!!!!
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
9 February 2011
23:1792118#19
Sorry to hear that bit of bad history Bern.
I believe the Black and Tans were formed just after the 1st world war, a quick fix for a long term problem.
I don't blame your Grandpa one bit, I would have done the same.
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
10 February 2011
00:2292126#20
There is only one possibility, and that is, gun laws in Britain should be all the stricter!
My granddad once extracted a pistol, but he did so to save a man's life. He didn't fire the pistol, he didn't need to. The warning he gave was strict enough.