Friday's letter
Issue must be taken with the contents of the article Huge number of guns in county is revealed (ET, June 8).
To possess a firearm there must be "good reason" in law which is either for vermin control, deer management or target shooting. An application has to be completed and two referees given. Each must be "a person of standing" such as a doctor or magistrate.
These "countersignatories" must complete a separate form which they must send direct to the police. The applicant must also file four passport photographs and pay a fee.
The police will then conduct inquiries as to the suitability of the
applicant to possess a firearm which may include a medical report.
Reasons will be scrutinised as will security requirements. The latter must include approved security cabinets bolted to the structure of a building with separate ammunition storage: An alarm is usually required.
The requirement in law is that the police must be satisfied the applicant may possess a firearm without danger to the public.
The police will inspect any land over which the applicant has permission to shoot and, in the case of target shooting, the applicant must first have joined a club and served a probationary period before the club will support the application.
The applicant will also be assessed by his or her club for suitability.
In the case of a land owner, to humanely manage wildlife, as required by other legislation, he/she will require at least two rifles in different calibres and two shotguns, again in different calibres.
Target, field and clay shooters have a similar requirement.
Air guns: Contrary to urban myth, the ownership and use of air guns in the UK is heavily controlled and subject to the above acts. The law was tightened in 2007 to outlaw imitation BB guns.
Illegal guns: 99.99 per cent of gun-related crime in the UK is with illegally-held guns. Since the pistol ban in 1997, armed crime with handguns has increased until shootings are now common in many parts of the country, particularly large towns. This demonstrates there is little connection between licensed firearms and the illegal use of guns. Bans do not work.
Finally, a democracy is judged by the way it treats its minorities. Judged by the subject under discussion, we do not fair well.
John Mander,
Nene Valley Shooting Centre,
Woodford
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Weather for Kettering
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
