The PH Gun Cabinet - Shooting Matters
Discussion
Update on the Offensive Weapons Bill.
The second reading happened yesterday in Parliament and the firearms part (mainly the threat to .50 cals) didn't sit well with quite a few MPs.
Lever release and MARS rifles were hardly mentioned and when they were it was clear nobody in the House understood what they are.
Bottom line is there will be a lot of questions asked when the Bill goes to Committee and I wouldn't be surprised if the proposed ban on rifles over 13,600J gets thrown out or at least heavily amended so they can be kept.
Unless those interested in keeping lever release and MARS rifles put a lot more effort in by lobbying MPs and shooting organisations supposedly representing their best interests, then I can see them moving to Sec. 5.
The justification for all of this was that supposedly the National Crime Agency think there's a demand for higher power weapons amongst criminals and terrorists.
The second reading happened yesterday in Parliament and the firearms part (mainly the threat to .50 cals) didn't sit well with quite a few MPs.
Lever release and MARS rifles were hardly mentioned and when they were it was clear nobody in the House understood what they are.
Bottom line is there will be a lot of questions asked when the Bill goes to Committee and I wouldn't be surprised if the proposed ban on rifles over 13,600J gets thrown out or at least heavily amended so they can be kept.
Unless those interested in keeping lever release and MARS rifles put a lot more effort in by lobbying MPs and shooting organisations supposedly representing their best interests, then I can see them moving to Sec. 5.
The justification for all of this was that supposedly the National Crime Agency think there's a demand for higher power weapons amongst criminals and terrorists.
aeropilot said:
This HO pushing this, not Police in general.
Certainly when I attended the Met.Police Club Sec's meeting held a few months ago, their head of Firearms openly stated the opinion they are as perplexed as the rest of us in respect of the .50cal issue specifically.
Just to touch on this again, I saw this on another forum recently which points to where this all started (at least in relation to the MARS rifles):Certainly when I attended the Met.Police Club Sec's meeting held a few months ago, their head of Firearms openly stated the opinion they are as perplexed as the rest of us in respect of the .50cal issue specifically.
ACPO said:
ACPO FELWG minutes from the meeting on 05 February 2015:
8. NABIS Update
c. Recent attacks in France
Martin Parker provided an update on questions that had come out of the recent incidents in France.
Action: Martin Parker to review classification with regards to the MARS rifle
(Martin Parker is the Lead Scientist at NABIS)8. NABIS Update
c. Recent attacks in France
Martin Parker provided an update on questions that had come out of the recent incidents in France.
Action: Martin Parker to review classification with regards to the MARS rifle
The .50 cal/high energy part has supposedly come about because of some "intelligence". From the second reading in Parliament the other day, Victoria Atkins came out with this little gem, cleverly using a London landmarks analogy:
Victoria Atkins said:
A number of colleagues mentioned clause 28, which is on high-energy rifles. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary said at the start of the debate that we will listen to colleagues’ concerns. I reiterate that this is not an attack on rural sports; it is a response to the threat assessment of the National Crime Agency and the police.
Given the strong concerns expressed, I will take a moment to explain how clause 28 came into being. For those who are not familiar with such weapons, they are very large and heavy firearms that can shoot very large distances. One example I have been given is that they can shoot the distance between London Bridge and Trafalgar Square—some 3,500 metres. I can share with the House the fact that there has been a recent increase in seizures at the United Kingdom border of higher-powered weaponry and ordnance. The assessment is that those weapons were destined for the criminal marketplace, and that the criminal marketplace is showing a growing demand for more powerful weaponry.
Given the strong concerns expressed, I will take a moment to explain how clause 28 came into being. For those who are not familiar with such weapons, they are very large and heavy firearms that can shoot very large distances. One example I have been given is that they can shoot the distance between London Bridge and Trafalgar Square—some 3,500 metres. I can share with the House the fact that there has been a recent increase in seizures at the United Kingdom border of higher-powered weaponry and ordnance. The assessment is that those weapons were destined for the criminal marketplace, and that the criminal marketplace is showing a growing demand for more powerful weaponry.
creampuff said:
^ Back in the real world, does anybody know if there really have been any seizures of these 'high powered' rifles at any UK border? Has there been a .50 BMG or any >13kJ rifle or whatever energy it is they want to limit it to ?
No, of course not otherwise they would cite it as an example of what they're trying to stop.FurtiveFreddy said:
creampuff said:
^ Back in the real world, does anybody know if there really have been any seizures of these 'high powered' rifles at any UK border? Has there been a .50 BMG or any >13kJ rifle or whatever energy it is they want to limit it to ?
No, of course not otherwise they would cite it as an example of what they're trying to stop.
Not sure how I will set this one up yet will have to see how it shoots first!
red_slr said:
I agree. I think in another 20 years we will be left with nothing.
I like your optimism. The Scottish model awaits. 
During my spell in England I was always blown away by the general cheerfulness of the English club shooters, 99% great guys who loved a good bit of banter and made me feel more than welcome in the clubs I joined. Even turning up at 3pm on a Sunday at Churchhills Derham would involve a great chinwag with about a dozen folk just about any shooting type/style and a cuppa tea
Now back home it's terrible, It's like shooters are nervous and watching over their shoulder all the time, shops are few and far between and there is a general air of despondency about the whole shooting scene.
I’ve just had my SGC approved (in Scotland) and I have to say, my experience has been very pleasant.
I’d read much about difficult firearms officers trying to find reasons not to give you a licence and so on, but mine were absolutely superb. Really nice pair of blokes who came to visit, asked sensible questions and were pretty pragmatic about it all.
The application went through with no hitches and yesterday I collected a secondhand Browning 425 waterfowl.
I’ve only shot clays with it thus far but it seems a superb gun and it fits well and I hit things with it so very happy indeed
I’d read much about difficult firearms officers trying to find reasons not to give you a licence and so on, but mine were absolutely superb. Really nice pair of blokes who came to visit, asked sensible questions and were pretty pragmatic about it all.
The application went through with no hitches and yesterday I collected a secondhand Browning 425 waterfowl.
I’ve only shot clays with it thus far but it seems a superb gun and it fits well and I hit things with it so very happy indeed
Nothing like some of the stuff on this thread but spurred on by my brothers recent purchase I have bought a Weihrauch HW100. This is my first air rifle for a long time and I'm very much looking forward to doing some plinking.
Pics shall follow in a few days once it has been delivered.
Pics shall follow in a few days once it has been delivered.
Thanks 
I've been considering getting back into it for ages as my father and brother shoot but not had the impetus to buy until my brother bought himself a hw100 the other day. After a few hours, half a tin of pellets and a good few recharges I just had to get one for myself.
My sister still humiliated us though. She's a very, very good shot
I've been considering getting back into it for ages as my father and brother shoot but not had the impetus to buy until my brother bought himself a hw100 the other day. After a few hours, half a tin of pellets and a good few recharges I just had to get one for myself.
My sister still humiliated us though. She's a very, very good shot
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