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.
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...
On NOW at RadioFR!
Join AnnaZ, Mercuria and Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson for a
A DAY AT THE RACISTS!
The Lott Thing!
The Byrd Thing!
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Funniest comment of the day bump.
Make raspberry ripple !
I'll bid you goodbye now, because its very late here and I must work tomorrow.
All the best,
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.....
Stay safe; stay armed.
When's your birthday?
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