On June, 8th the Government published the Violent Crime Reduction Bill meant to prohibit the sale, manufacture, import and distribution of all replica firearms in the UK. The purpose of such measures is to target the misuse of realistic imitation firearms by criminals.
This Bill puts in jeopardy such popular hobbies as airsoft, paintball and other games, which use guns to play.
Airsofters have united to protect their “beloved hobby” and to “let the government know that the sport of Airsofting is a perfectly safe and respectable pastime that contributes to reducing crime by taking young people off the streets and giving them a safe, active and fun hobby that anyone can enjoy”. They inspire people to contact their local MPs and let them know their point of view on the problem.
As to MPs, their opinions are at variance. Some of them doubt about the power and effectiveness of the Bill: “I believe that this Bill fails to address the real problems of violent crime that we face in this country”. – Philip Dunne (MP of Ludlow) says. – “We already have laws on the Statue Book to combat the use of guns, knives and alcohol-related disorder. The Government should make better use of them instead of seeking to introduce more legislation.” On the other hand, many MPs hope that “the purpose of the ban is to make realistic imitation firearms less readily available for criminals to misuse”. Hazel Blears MP adds, that “it also seeks to increase the maximum penalty available to the courts for those people convicted of having an imitation firearm in a public place without a reasonable excuse. This sends a powerful message to those people who would misuse replica firearms that such behaviour is not to be tolerated.”
Anyhow, in its current form VCRB threatens to cause the damage of some of the most popular kinds of sports and games in the UK as well as to ruin the businesses dealing with retail and import of respective equipment.
www.saveairsoft.org is gathering signatures in favour of airsoft and airsoft guns. At the moment there are more than 7000 signatures from people all over the UK and from abroad. People are very creative and passionate in protecting their hobby:
“If I die up in ma loft
At least in Heaven I can ’soft
‘Cos right now in Britain
I can’t do jack
Without tony blair up on my back”.
What do you personally think? Are you for or against such measures? We believe that no one can stay indifferent to this unsettled problem and welcome your comments.