Aberdeen set to outlaw airguns Executive supports use of municipal legislation ABERDEEN IS set to become the first UK city to ban airguns after growing support from the new Scottish government.
The Executive has said it would view any action against air weapons "sympathetically", prompting Aberdeen City Council to renew efforts to introduce a bylaw which could be in place as early as September. Registered gun users have claimed the proposals will be unworkable and unpoliceable.
Similar discussions are under way at Edinburgh city council as urban communities look to move quickly following several incidents in recent months, including a woman shot in the head in Rosyth while driving and a nine-year-old hit in the leg in Drumchapel.
More than half of the 1068 firearm crimes recorded by the police in 2005/ 2006 involved an air weapon, and it is estimated there are around half a million airguns in Scottish homes.
Despite this, in March former first minister Jack McConnell opted to delay any ban to give police more time to tackle the issue. Firearms legislation remains reserved to Westminster, but local authority bylaws are seen as a way to address the matter locally.
A motion put forward by Aberdeen City Labour councillor Norman Collie to ban the sale and use of airguns except for pest control and sporting activities has been backed by his colleagues, with a final decision due in September before the Executive rubber-stamps any bylaw.
Collie said: "I never heard any word of support from my own political party, but justice minister Kenny MacAskill has said he will look at it, which gave me the encouragement to do a bit more."
Collie first considered a ban after discovering Aberdeen was the city with the most airgun attacks on animals according to an SSPCA survey. The charity's Airgun Agony campaign found 40% of Scottish vets had dealt with at least one such case each year.
He added: "My concern is that those who are using these weapons illegally on killing and maiming animals may move on to humans. More needs to be done to stop the illegal use of these weapons.
"The newer models are designed to be even more accurate, which is frightening. The last thing I want to do is stand up at the next council meeting and say, I told you somebody was going to get killed'."
Changes to the law will start later this year, increasing the minimum age to purchase an airgun from 17 to 18 and restricting their sale to registered dealers.
Legal gun users have questioned whether bylaws are necessary, with more than 20 pieces of airgun legislation currently in place. Colin Shedden, Scottish director of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), said: "How can you ban something in a city when otherwise it is legal to purchase, use and store airguns everywhere else?
"To address the problems we need enforcement of existing legislation and education, both for young people and their parents. The reason there are still incidents is due to the fact people are quite ignorant about what they can do and some people treat them as toys."
The BASC is hopeful of Executive support to continue its education programme in inner-city schools, but David Grimason, whose two-year-old son Alistair was shot dead in his pushchair in Turkey four years ago, isn't convinced.
He said: "Gun clubs breed shooters, and if you are introducing children to airguns and teaching them about it, there is always the chance they take an interest after never even thinking about it before.
"Nobody needs a gun, and the more of them we can eradicate the better."
An Executive spokesperson said it was committed to taking action against the fear and harm caused by airgun misuse. She said: "Action against air weapons will be viewed sympathetically and supported if at all possible."
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Posted by: Va Gent, Richmond, Va. USA on 7:23am Sun 1 Jul 07
Come on people let us get real here. If a child or adult attends a gun club it will not "breed new Shooters". I will develop responsible people who will now know how to properly handle any firearm. How in the world will a passage of laws against firearms, long type knives, air guns, golf clubs, rolling pins, etc. help? It won't!! If these "laws" pass these weapons will be in the hands of the criminal to use against you.
Come on people let us get real here. If a child or adult attends a gun club it will not "breed new Shooters". I will develop responsible people who will now know how to properly handle any firearm. How in the world will a passage of laws against firearms, long type knives, air guns, golf clubs, rolling pins, etc. help? It won't!! If these "laws" pass these weapons will be in the hands of the criminal to use against you.
Posted by: Ian Croft, England on 7:58am Sun 1 Jul 07
I've never heard anything so ridiculous. Education and enforcement of current legislation is the only way to cut down on the current level of misuse. As for 'breeding shooters' the comment above is accurate - gun clubs breed responsible, safe users of airguns - maybe we should look to ban football, as it obviously breeds hooliganism and violence?
I've never heard anything so ridiculous. Education and enforcement of current legislation is the only way to cut down on the current level of misuse. As for 'breeding shooters' the comment above is accurate - gun clubs breed responsible, safe users of airguns - maybe we should look to ban football, as it obviously breeds hooliganism and violence?
Posted by: Guga, Rockall on 8:21am Sun 1 Jul 07
Totally agree with both the above comments.
Gun clubs teach people to handle guns responsibly. Shooting is a recongnised sport internationally, and attempting to ban it is pathetic. As post #2 states, maybe we should ban football as it breeds hooliganism and violence. Maybe we should ban all contact sports as they might be breeding violence as well.
There is adequate legislation in place to control all forms of shooting. If the legislation is enforced, then there is no need for further legislation.
Totally agree with both the above comments.
Gun clubs teach people to handle guns responsibly. Shooting is a recongnised sport internationally, and attempting to ban it is pathetic. As post #2 states, maybe we should ban football as it breeds hooliganism and violence. Maybe we should ban all contact sports as they might be breeding violence as well.
There is adequate legislation in place to control all forms of shooting. If the legislation is enforced, then there is no need for further legislation.
Posted by: Swilly Tisher, Loch Maree on 9:11am Sun 1 Jul 07
Well done , Aberdeen. It has its finger well and truly on the trigger of public opinion.Air weaponry has no place in Scottish society.
Well done , Aberdeen. It has its finger well and truly on the trigger of public opinion.Air weaponry has no place in Scottish society.
Posted by: ProleofPaisley, Scotland on 9:16am Sun 1 Jul 07
Well done to Aberdeen Council for have the cojones to ban the sale of airguns.
This is a fitting testament ot the parents of wee Andrew Morton who was killed with an airgun.
The intended victim of the assasin were fire officers who were attending an incident in his street. Nobody deserves to be attacked in carrying out their job and this is the reason why the sales of these lethal weapons should be banned.
Well done to Aberdeen Council for have the cojones to ban the sale of airguns.
This is a fitting testament ot the parents of wee Andrew Morton who was killed with an airgun.
The intended victim of the assasin were fire officers who were attending an incident in his street. Nobody deserves to be attacked in carrying out their job and this is the reason why the sales of these lethal weapons should be banned.
Posted by: David, Edinburgh on 11:21am Sun 1 Jul 07
Bans d0 NOT work. They banned handguns. Every week someone is shot with a handgun. In 1922 they banned sub machine guns and other automatic weapons but they are still used by criminals. Scum will use anything they can get to hurt people look at the use of catapaults and concrete blocks against firecrews. Enforce the existing laws and go after the scum. In fact politicians should be made to face up to the fact that they cannot get away with banning 'things' and depriving the law abiding of their sport they must tackle the real issue which is criminal behaviour. BAN SCUM !
Bans d0 NOT work. They banned handguns. Every week someone is shot with a handgun. In 1922 they banned sub machine guns and other automatic weapons but they are still used by criminals. Scum will use anything they can get to hurt people look at the use of catapaults and concrete blocks against firecrews. Enforce the existing laws and go after the scum. In fact politicians should be made to face up to the fact that they cannot get away with banning 'things' and depriving the law abiding of their sport they must tackle the real issue which is criminal behaviour. BAN SCUM !
Posted by: Jo, Glasgow on 4:38pm Sun 1 Jul 07
People who call killing anything "sport" are sick and they are just another type of hooligan. People who want to play with guns and kill things as a form of sport are even worse.
People who call killing anything "sport" are sick and they are just another type of hooligan. People who want to play with guns and kill things as a form of sport are even worse.
Posted by: Yok Finney, 281-377 on 10:29pm Sun 1 Jul 07
I support well regulated local militia though this a minority view in the UK.
Politicians, civil servants, and police have to deal with the problems of local communities wherether it's guns, motor cars, loutish behaviour, noise, pollution etc. Good for Aberdeen to undertake a prototype scheme that we can learn from. Not all parents breed house-breakers but it's a problem that has to be tackled even when it causes some inconvenience to most of us. As with airgun hooligans. Losing the sight of an eye is not a trivial matter.
What age should kids be allowed to join registered gun clubs. That's for you to decide. I speak to many truckers who say that the new laws insisting on stringent MOTS and [bold]restrictions[/bold] on driving time are the best thing that happened to the Industry.
I support well regulated local militia though this a minority view in the UK.
Politicians, civil servants, and police have to deal with the problems of local communities wherether it's guns, motor cars, loutish behaviour, noise, pollution etc. Good for Aberdeen to undertake a prototype scheme that we can learn from. Not all parents breed house-breakers but it's a problem that has to be tackled even when it causes some inconvenience to most of us. As with airgun hooligans. Losing the sight of an eye is not a trivial matter.
What age should kids be allowed to join registered gun clubs. That's for you to decide. I speak to many truckers who say that the new laws insisting on stringent MOTS and
restrictions on driving time are the best thing that happened to the Industry.
Posted by: colorado coonass, Denver CO, USA on 7:56pm Mon 2 Jul 07
I grew up in a small town where most homes had at least a shotgun or two, a handgun for home defense, and several air guns. The only times we had a problem is when a criminal picked up a gun. And no legislation on Earth will keep criminals from hurting others - it's what they do.
My heart goes out to the gentleman who lost a 2-year old to someone who abused an airgun in Turkey, but it's unreasonable on the face of it to restrict the freedoms of all people because a depraved few abuse those freedoms.
This also points up the main problem with gun control laws - 20 laws in force already haven't eliminated airgun abuse, because criminals violate laws - more laws won't help that situation when the existing laws aren't helping.
I grew up in a small town where most homes had at least a shotgun or two, a handgun for home defense, and several air guns. The only times we had a problem is when a criminal picked up a gun. And no legislation on Earth will keep criminals from hurting others - it's what they do.
My heart goes out to the gentleman who lost a 2-year old to someone who abused an airgun in Turkey, but it's unreasonable on the face of it to restrict the freedoms of all people because a depraved few abuse those freedoms.
This also points up the main problem with gun control laws - 20 laws in force already haven't eliminated airgun abuse, because criminals violate laws - more laws won't help that situation when the existing laws aren't helping.
Posted by: Geo, Glasgow on 12:12pm Tue 3 Jul 07
I look forward to the banning of spoons when a ned attacks someone with one.
Its not the item that's the problem, its the animals who get away with (literally) murder. There is much more legislation in force than actually required to deal with the problem - just no police or cell space to lock the neds up.
no matter what laws are introduced, criminals will still break the law and they bother them not a jot. Its the rest of us that suffer from over zealous hysteria in the public and the subsequent pandering to that hysteria by politicians who need to look like they actually are doing something.
I look forward to the banning of spoons when a ned attacks someone with one.
Its not the item that's the problem, its the animals who get away with (literally) murder. There is much more legislation in force than actually required to deal with the problem - just no police or cell space to lock the neds up.
no matter what laws are introduced, criminals will still break the law and they bother them not a jot. Its the rest of us that suffer from over zealous hysteria in the public and the subsequent pandering to that hysteria by politicians who need to look like they actually are doing something.
Posted by: Stephen, Tonbridge on 4:49pm Fri 31 Aug 07
[People who call killing anything "sport" are sick and they are just another type of hooligan. People who want to play with guns and kill things as a form of sport are even worse]
These comments are offensive and obscene. Properly regulated hunting for food is a lawful activity that humans have engaged in for thousands of years. What is sick is spending £2.00 on a factory farmed chicken knowing full well the suffering that bird has gone through to give you your cheap supper. And how many of those raving about the cruelty of hunting with rifles have committed that offence?
These comments are offensive and obscene. Properly regulated hunting for food is a lawful activity that humans have engaged in for thousands of years. What is sick is spending £2.00 on a factory farmed chicken knowing full well the suffering that bird has gone through to give you your cheap supper. And how many of those raving about the cruelty of hunting with rifles have committed that offence?
Posted by: tongfukjohn, Aberdeen on 2:54pm Wed 12 Sep 07
A totally knee jerk reaction for people that obviously do not have the slightest idea how to deal with the real problem, the scumbags not the weapon. As previously stated by others banning HANDGUN has not stopped their use, over the years since their banning them, the use of handguns has increased dramatically.
This is a social problem, prehaps the return of corporal punishment might be the answer, if someone new that they where likely to recieve 40 lashes then mabye they would think twice!!
A totally knee jerk reaction for people that obviously do not have the slightest idea how to deal with the real problem, the scumbags not the weapon. As previously stated by others banning HANDGUN has not stopped their use, over the years since their banning them, the use of handguns has increased dramatically.
This is a social problem, prehaps the return of corporal punishment might be the answer, if someone new that they where likely to recieve 40 lashes then mabye they would think twice!!
Posted by: Graham Ellis, Aberdeen on 9:36pm Sat 29 Sep 07
Having been brought up around guns of all calibres since I was a child I find the notion that "Gun clubs breed shooters" totaly offensive. The clubs I have belonged to have brought education and a sense of understanding and responsability to all those who have attended. Peolple in the rural comunitty have always used firears to control Vermin and hunt they do not deserve the brand of "shooter" and "crimnal" so many are quick call,save that for the criminals who abuse weapons of all sorts. What everyone seems to forget is there was a reason that air wepons have power limits and those are to reduce risk to people (12 ftLb for Rifles and 6 for Pistols) a "real" gun is in the reagion of 400 ftlb even a bow and arrow is 40-90 ftlb.
Yes an aigun can kill but only under very specific conditions.
More people are killed in domestic accidents than are injured with airguns.
Time to educate the puplic and get a little reality in the discussion. Take a hard look at the ban on hand guns, what was achieved, Nothing, handgun crime is higher than ever, all that happened was law obiding citezens have been deprived of a hoby and pastime.
Having been brought up around guns of all calibres since I was a child I find the notion that "Gun clubs breed shooters" totaly offensive. The clubs I have belonged to have brought education and a sense of understanding and responsability to all those who have attended. Peolple in the rural comunitty have always used firears to control Vermin and hunt they do not deserve the brand of "shooter" and "crimnal" so many are quick call,save that for the criminals who abuse weapons of all sorts. What everyone seems to forget is there was a reason that air wepons have power limits and those are to reduce risk to people (12 ftLb for Rifles and 6 for Pistols) a "real" gun is in the reagion of 400 ftlb even a bow and arrow is 40-90 ftlb.
Yes an aigun can kill but only under very specific conditions.
More people are killed in domestic accidents than are injured with airguns.
Time to educate the puplic and get a little reality in the discussion. Take a hard look at the ban on hand guns, what was achieved, Nothing, handgun crime is higher than ever, all that happened was law obiding citezens have been deprived of a hoby and pastime.
Posted by: v for vandetta, someware on 4:07am Tue 11 Dec 07
THE DAILY MAIL AND THE LIKE NOW MAKE THE LAW IN THE UK NOW....LETS BAN AIRGUNS.....SO THIS COUNCIL WANTS TO BAN AIRGUNS...BUT I COULD STILL GET A SHOTGUN OR A 7.62MM RIFLE INSTEAD.....WHICH HAS MUCH MUCH MORE KILLING POWER...THOSE THIS MAKE SENSE??????????? THE HANDGUN BAN HAS NOT WORKED...HANDGUN CRIME HAS SKY ROCKETECTED!!!! SO PLEASE DO TELL ME IF THE HAND GUN BAN HAS NOT WORKED AND THE CRIMINAL BY THEY NETURE DO NOT ABAY THE LAW HOW THE HELL IS THIS BANNING AIRGUNS GOING TO WORK?? ANYONE??
THE VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION BILL HAS (AMAZING) RAISED THE AGE FOR AIRGUNS TO 18 BUT (WAIT FOR THIS BRILLENT IDEA) 'SHOT GUNS OR ANYOTHER FIREARME.....IS 17 YEARS TO OWN OR BUY' HOW DOES THIS WORK OUT??? SO A 17 YR OLD KID CANT GET A AIR RIFLE BUT CAN GET A LIENCE (WHICH IS NOT THAT HARD TO GET THEN U MAY THINK) AND GET A SHOT GUN OR RIFLE THAT CAN KILL 3 MILES AWAY....BUT LETS BAN AIRGUNS (DANGERIOUS T0 3OO YARDS)
BANNNING DOES NOT WORK...AS ONE MP SAID WHEN THE HANDGUN BAN WENT THROUGH 'THERE WILL BE NO MORE HANDGUN CRIME' ENOUGH SAID!
ALSO IF THIS COUNCIL DOES SOMEHOW PASS THIS LAW
THE BYLAW WILL BE STRUCK DOWN BY THE UK GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THE COUNCIL WILL BE ACTING 'ULTRA VIERS' (BEYOUND THE POWERS) OR DELCARED SO BY THE HIGH COURT QUEENS BENCH DEVISION!!!!
IF THE CRIMINAL KNOWS THE LAW ABIDING HAVE GUNS AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED THE LAW ABIDING PEOPLE MABY THE SCUM MAY THINK TWICE AS THEY WOULD GET SHOT AND THE POLICE WOULD NOT TAKE THEY SIDE...JUST A THOUGHT!!!
THE DAILY MAIL AND THE LIKE NOW MAKE THE LAW IN THE UK NOW....LETS BAN AIRGUNS.....SO THIS COUNCIL WANTS TO BAN AIRGUNS...BUT I COULD STILL GET A SHOTGUN OR A 7.62MM RIFLE INSTEAD.....WHICH HAS MUCH MUCH MORE KILLING POWER...THOSE THIS MAKE SENSE??????????? THE HANDGUN BAN HAS NOT WORKED...HANDGUN CRIME HAS SKY ROCKETECTED!!!! SO PLEASE DO TELL ME IF THE HAND GUN BAN HAS NOT WORKED AND THE CRIMINAL BY THEY NETURE DO NOT ABAY THE LAW HOW THE HELL IS THIS BANNING AIRGUNS GOING TO WORK?? ANYONE??
THE VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION BILL HAS (AMAZING) RAISED THE AGE FOR AIRGUNS TO 18 BUT (WAIT FOR THIS BRILLENT IDEA) 'SHOT GUNS OR ANYOTHER FIREARME.....IS 17 YEARS TO OWN OR BUY' HOW DOES THIS WORK OUT??? SO A 17 YR OLD KID CANT GET A AIR RIFLE BUT CAN GET A LIENCE (WHICH IS NOT THAT HARD TO GET THEN U MAY THINK) AND GET A SHOT GUN OR RIFLE THAT CAN KILL 3 MILES AWAY....BUT LETS BAN AIRGUNS (DANGERIOUS T0 3OO YARDS)
BANNNING DOES NOT WORK...AS ONE MP SAID WHEN THE HANDGUN BAN WENT THROUGH 'THERE WILL BE NO MORE HANDGUN CRIME' ENOUGH SAID!
ALSO IF THIS COUNCIL DOES SOMEHOW PASS THIS LAW
THE BYLAW WILL BE STRUCK DOWN BY THE UK GOVERNMENT BECAUSE THE COUNCIL WILL BE ACTING 'ULTRA VIERS' (BEYOUND THE POWERS) OR DELCARED SO BY THE HIGH COURT QUEENS BENCH DEVISION!!!!
IF THE CRIMINAL KNOWS THE LAW ABIDING HAVE GUNS AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED THE LAW ABIDING PEOPLE MABY THE SCUM MAY THINK TWICE AS THEY WOULD GET SHOT AND THE POLICE WOULD NOT TAKE THEY SIDE...JUST A THOUGHT!!!
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