Hundreds of primary school-age children have been granted shotgun licences over the past three years, figures have revealed on the day MPs are due to debate a possible ban.The Daily Mail just love a good scare story.
Between 2008 and 2010, a total of 281 children aged 11 and under were granted licences – one of them as young as seven.
Five licences were granted to eight-year-olds, 25 to those aged nine, while no fewer than 92 went to 10-year-olds. Another 158 licences were given to children aged 11.
How many of these children have used their guns for criminal purposes? None.
How many accidents have happened with these guns resulting in death or injury? None.
How many of these children are allowed to handle a weapon unsupervised? None.
How many of these children need to be supervised at all times by an adult with their own gun licence? All of them.
How many children have had a licence revoked in the past ten years? Two. (Not for gun related offences)
Of course none of this is mentioned in the article as it doesn't make for a good scare story.
The disturbing statistics – higher than previously thought – emerge on the day that the Commons is due to debate whether under-10s should be banned from being granted licenses to use shotguns.I would hardly call these figures disturbing. I find it quite refreshing that some young children are being given the opportunity to grow up in an environment of sensible gun ownership. They will be the next generation of responsible gun owners rather than the next generation of criminals.
Statistics I would find disturbing are those for the number of illegal guns in the hands of children.
Again, no mention of that. There is no point in calling for a ban on something that is already illegal, even though it is only those guns that we actually have a serious problem with.
At present, they may not be given licences for other firearms, such as revolvers, until they are 14.Come on DM, get it right. Revolvers, along with all other handguns were outlawed during Labours last round of illiberal gun control.
But there is no lower limit for shotguns. The decision to grant a licence rests with a senior police officer, and all under-18s must have an adult over 21 with a firearms licence to vouch for them.And it works just fine. The gun control network say that, "Guns and kids don't mix", yet they have no basis or evidence for that statement. There is no problem with the current system so it doesn't need changing.
If anything it should be relaxed.
8 Comments:
Our politicians seem to have little else to do other than invent solutions to problems that do not exist. They would do more good in the long run to sort out a repeal of our gun laws and replace them with something sensible.
I won't hold my breath.
I've not been able to find the results of this debate. You know what happeend?
I agree with everything you say... Over here (Cyprus) everybody owns a shotgun (you can just walk into a gun-shop and buy one - the licence follows later). Kids go out with their fathers to shoot just as a kid in the UK goes down the park with dad & a football...
Refreshing.
I grew up with guns, gun safety wasn't taught, gun safety simply was there, all the time. No rifle had the bolt inserted until you were actually ready to hunt. Your rifle wasn't loaded until the hunt began. There was one designated shooter, one back-up shooter and everyone else had a loaded magazine but an empty chamber.
We never even had an accidental discharge, never mind anything more serious.
Properly brought up and educated children CAN be safe with guns.
Oh, I lived in what was then Northern Rhodesia!
That's why raising ages and imposing further rstrictions will do more harm than good. Years of education will be denied and guns will become more alien.
From the Hansard website
Latest news on the Bill
The sponsoring MP has nominated 27 January 2012 for the second reading. As the House is not expected to sit on this day it is unlikely to be debated on this date. The sponsoring MP may choose another day for the second reading.
This Bill was introduced to Parliament on 20 January 2011 under the Ten Minute Rule. This allows an MP to make his or her case for a new bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes. An opposing speech may also be made before the House decides whether or not the bill should be introduced. If the MP is successful the bill is taken to have had its first reading.
This Bill is a Private Member’s Bill. These are often not printed until close to the second reading debate. If the text is not yet available here and you wish to know more about this bill please contact its sponsor, Thomas Docherty.
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