British Gun Control Activists Want to Ban Air Rifle

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 9/20/02 | Mike Wendling


London (CNSNews.com) - British gun control advocates have launched a campaign to strengthen laws restricting the use of airguns by children and teens, but shooting associations call the new restrictions unnecessary.

The Campaign for Airgun Control wants to make it illegal for kids under age 17 to use air rifles. The umbrella group, which includes the Gun Control Network and Survivors' War Against Airgun Terror (SWAAT), also wants airguns to be registered, and it advocates a total ban on air pistols that look like real handguns.

"We don't want to alienate responsible gun owners or sports people, we simply want to take guns out of the hands of children," said Linda Mitchell of SWAAT. "It is youths that are using these guns irresponsibly."

The Campaign for Airgun Control says that the number of crimes involving the guns has increased from about 7,500 five years ago to more than 10,000 in the most recent British crime survey.

Labor Party member of Parliament Julia Drown, who attended this week's launch of the anti-airgun campaign, said she was in favor of more licensing and perhaps a total ban on air rifles outside of registered shooting clubs.

"I see the damage that's being caused, and something has to be done about this," she said. "Is there any excuse for having these things when people are getting injured and possibly killed?"