I think the long sentences pretty much reflect the fact that the men jailed were career criminals and gang members, one was already out on licence yet went and committed this serious crime. Focusing on the .22 weapon/ammunition misses that these men are serious gang members and multiple offenders/career criminals. And as been pointed out by others, .22 weapons and ammo are not quite as weak as posters are making out.
I have no problem with the sentences. BECAUSE they are for the men’s continued criminal acts, not this single crime. Had the men not been career criminals with criminal records, they I can assure you would never have got anywhere near 16 yrs. Jailed yes, but probably a sentence of a third of what was handed out. Probably 6 rather than 16.
What "serious crime"?
You think buying a rifle is a serious crime?
Seriously?
You think 6 years in prison is an appropriate penalty for the "serious crime" of buying a rifle?
Seriously?
Underneath all the blather about whether these guys were or were not dirtbags lies the complete disconnect with reality.
A .22LR rifle is NOT a 'sniper rifle'.
A .22LR rifle is the least powerful rifle commonly available anywhere.
The idea that buying a .22LR rifle (or any other rifle) without the government's permission constitutes some sort of heinous crime is insane. Nuts. Whacko. Bonkers. Mad.
You can come on this forum and make apologies for, and try to explain away, the UK's insane and idiotic firearms laws if you like. It's a Free Republic.
But it's increasingly discrediting both you and your country.