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Replica guns to be outlawed
Reuters/MSN ^ | 08/01/2003 | Pete Harrison

Posted on 01/08/2003 6:01:11 PM PST by David Hunter

The government has tightened its clampdown on a rising gun culture, promising a ban on airguns and replica firearms. The proposal to outlaw replicas, which are often converted to fire live ammunition, comes hot on the heels of a suspected gangland shootout last week, which left two girls dead, cut down in the crossfire.

"Our crackdown on airguns is part of the government's wider commitment to tackle the anti-social behaviour which blights some of our most vulnerable communities and breeds a fear of crime," Home Secretary David Blunkett said in a statement on Wednesday. Carrying the weapons in public without a licence would become illegal, and the age limit for buying them would be raised from 14 to 17.

The proposal is the second instalment of tough new gun laws, and follows a pledge by Blunkett on Monday -- later partly retracted -- to introduce a mandatory five-year jail term for gun possession. Particularly dangerous were types of replicas most easily converted for live ammunition, and the Home Office said it was examining the possibility of banning their sale. Home Office minister Bob Ainsworth said replica weapons would still be available under licence for legitimate uses such as theatre and film-making. "Air guns can be lethal and are being used increasingly by louts to damage property and terrorise their local community," he added. Blunkett's proposals followed what he called "an unacceptable increase in the flagrant use of guns", with figures on firearm offences due on Thursday expected to show a 20 percent increase in England and Wales over the past year.

Firearms offences in Britain totalled 12,410 in 1997, according to government figures. The figure rose by 42 percent to 17,589 in 2001. The plans came in the wake of the fatal shooting of two teenage girls, Charlene Ellis and Latisha Shakespear, at a New Year party after becoming caught up in a suspected gangland shootout in Birmingham.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: banglist; britain; british; england; gun; law
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To: Bogey78O
Why would you convert an air pistol?

Because when Johnny, the neighborhood crack cocaine dealer, who drives a $110,000 Hummer but doesn't have a "job," refuses to buy illegally obtained guns he will be caught at the firearms dealer when he has his background check run on him. It sure is nice of Johnny to never do anything illegal except sell crack and shoot people dead...

21 posted on 01/09/2003 5:43:06 PM PST by 69ConvertibleFirebird
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To: zcat
You know the only thing keeping me sane in this bastion of left-wing statism is corresponding with you lot. Thanks to media brainwashing and lack of imagination, most of the people around me in England can't see anything wrong with more gun laws!
22 posted on 01/09/2003 5:45:05 PM PST by David Hunter
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To: David Hunter
When are they going to do something useful and ban Britain's bad food and warm beer, or insist that dental hygiene be taught in elementary schools?
23 posted on 01/09/2003 5:48:28 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: David Hunter
David,

Leave Britain now. Come to America for the final stand of civilzation. I have a British sister-in-law whose done just this, even if she can't admit it to herself. We need good immigrants - think about it.
24 posted on 01/09/2003 5:48:53 PM PST by WorkingClassFilth
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To: Eaker
My, those Brits are cheeky...
25 posted on 01/09/2003 5:49:32 PM PST by humblegunner (Molon Labe!!!)
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To: WorkingClassFilth; David Hunter
Good advice. Come on, David. The girls are cute, the beer is cold, most states allow you to carry concealed weapons, shooting ranges abound. Problem is, you're not an Arab/Muslim or a Mexican, so you might have difficult getting in.
26 posted on 01/09/2003 5:55:23 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: WorkingClassFilth
Actually, I am considering working in the USA in the future. I have a PhD. in Microbiology and work as a researcher in an English University. I am looking around for research places in the US now, when my current contract runs out I could come over. If I didn't have to wait for my contract to run out then I would already be on my way.

Best regards,
27 posted on 01/09/2003 5:56:42 PM PST by David Hunter
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To: All

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28 posted on 01/09/2003 5:57:00 PM PST by Bob J
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To: Prodigal Son
With the way things are going here I might have to go "William Tell" in order to protect my home.

Funniest comment of the day bump.

29 posted on 01/09/2003 6:00:16 PM PST by zoyd
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To: David Hunter
Yeah, Baby! We'll make room for you.

Even though many of us consider our government to be increasingly managed by bloated thieves whose only purpose is to fleece the employed largely on behalf of our criminal classes. By comparison, you'll think you entered paradise.

The problem is that freedom grows on you, and you'll soon feel the same way.
30 posted on 01/09/2003 6:08:10 PM PST by WorkingClassFilth
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Comment #31 Removed by Moderator

To: Henchster
"Pointed sticks? What are you going to do when an assailant comes at you with.... ...a bowl of raspberries?!"

Make raspberry ripple !

32 posted on 01/09/2003 6:16:35 PM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK (The Fellowship of Conservatives)
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To: WorkingClassFilth
Britain's unwritten constitution is the reason our gutless government can get away with this sort of nonsense. The USA's constitution is its most precious possession. Never let the left/liberal statist scum erode it. Good luck to you all.

I'll bid you goodbye now, because its very late here and I must work tomorrow.

All the best,

33 posted on 01/09/2003 6:17:47 PM PST by David Hunter
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To: David Hunter
If I didn't have to wait for my contract to run out then I would already be on my way.

Declare Free agency, have your new U.S. employer pay off your remaining obligation to your current employer and get your but over here. While your health care and dental coverage may be free there, your employer here will pay for same and the quality of such services is astronomically better! Besides, we've got a better selection of autos here too.....

Oh, and don't forget to choose a gun friendly state.......While you may not be able to purchase until you are a citzen, at least pick a state filled with good old boys who dont care where you get your gun just as long as you hunt with it.....

34 posted on 01/09/2003 6:27:19 PM PST by Hot Tabasco
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To: David Hunter
"When toy guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have toy guns."....Hey, wait, I think maybe we're onto something here!
35 posted on 01/09/2003 11:50:51 PM PST by Still Thinking
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36 posted on 01/09/2003 11:51:23 PM PST by Mo1 (Join the DC Chapter at the Patriots Rally III on 1/18/03)
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To: humblegunner
Cheeky Hell, The gov over there is crazy!!!!


Stay safe; stay armed.


37 posted on 01/10/2003 3:11:47 PM PST by Eaker
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To: Eaker
You need a Versa-pod!

When's your birthday?

38 posted on 01/10/2003 4:12:35 PM PST by humblegunner (Molon Labe!!!)
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