The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Dear Stuart,

Thank you for your email. As an occasional, if not particularly talented, clay shooter, happy to respond to your question below. A number of your questions are rather absolute, but I have added some nuance where it may be helpful. As rural dweller, I support the right to conduct sustainable shooting, within the bounds of the law. On the other hand, I am concerned about increasing knife and gun crime in urban areas, and belive the the UK's approach to gun laws have prevented us seening the terrible scenes we have witnessed in other countries. But, LibDem policy is that gun and knife crime have complex roots, and that need to be addressed at the broader socio-economic level than through knee-jerk legislation. I'd be happy to meet with BASC members in the constituency at some point during the campaign.

1. Do you support sustainable shooting conducted according to the law and the current codes of practice?

Yes
2. If elected, will you join the All Party Parliamentary Group on Shooting and Conservation?

I would need to find out more about this APPG's remit and activities before committing either way, but would certainly be open to considering this.
3. Do you believe in a total ban on private firearms ownership?

No
4. Do you believe that private firearms ownership should face greater restrictions?
5. Do you believe the current system is balanced/there is no need for change?

I think the current system and restrictions regarding sports/hunting/clay shooting are about right, and maintain the balance of allowing those who have a legitimate interest in owning and using firearms to do so, while ensuring the safety of the broader population.
6. Do you support all forms of currently legal shooting in the UK? (If there are exceptions
please state)

Yes
7. Would you oppose any moves to further restrict private firearms ownership/use in the UK?

I would consider any possible new restrictions or legislation on the detail and whether it would be an effective way to reduce gun crime while protecting the rights of legitimate firearms users.

8. Do you believe that our firearms laws are in need of reformation and sensible relaxation?

As it stands, no. But I would be happy to discuss this in more detail with BASC and to look at the evidence.
9. If you support UK citizen’s rights to participate in shooting sports do you also support changing the law to permit .22 rimfire pistols to be used for competitive shooting thus allowing ordinary UK citizens to properly train to enable them to compete in international events such as the Olympic and Commonwealth games

I am instinctively lean towards this, but again would need to consider the evidence before making an absolute decision. Any move to do so would need to need to provide cast iron guarantees that such firearms could not leak onto the black market or be repurposed to present a danger to the public.

Regards,
Patrick

Leak onto the blackmarket ?

I presume he means through theft rather than anything more nefarious. The thing is, an individual MP can have whatever views they like but when the party cracks the whip it counts for little if they aren't in cabinet positions. As far as I can ascertain the Libdems aren't a mile off the views of the Greens when it comes to firearms so thats basically an outright ban when the slightest opportunity presents itself.

Blackstuff wrote:I presume he means through theft rather than anything more nefarious. The thing is, an individual MP can have whatever views they like but when the party cracks the whip it counts for little if they aren't in cabinet positions. As far as I can ascertain the Libdems aren't a mile off the views of the Greens when it comes to firearms so thats basically an outright ban when the slightest opportunity presents itself.

Pretty much took the words right out of my mouth.

They'll say what you want to hear now but things all change when his ar*e hits the bench in the HoC.

LL

My presious MP was an avid twitcher - even when walking the dog locally he has binoculars round his neck!

However, he was actually PRO-shooting sports and we could discuss both his and my hobbies when we travelled to work on the same train. I still see him walking past here too.

Still do not know who the current bunch will be around here - except BJ himself.