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Centrepunch
Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Great Britain
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Hello. |
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Hi to you all, from a shooter in the United Kingdom
Ian. |
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| 2005-07-17 11:32:39 |
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Chuckster
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 11
Location: The "Group W" bench.
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Welcome Ian!
What types of shooting keep you occupied there in the U.K ?
_________________
Sometimes...a little brain damage is beneficial. |
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| 2005-07-17 14:01:28 |
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rob
Joined: 06 Jul 2005
Posts: 11
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I was under the impression that guns were basically outlawed in the UK, with the exception of shotguns for farmers? |
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| 2005-07-17 14:16:51 |
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Centrepunch
Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Great Britain
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Hi Guys.
Here in the UK we have to have a licence for our guns. Semi-auto rifles were banned in 1987 and pistols were banned in 1997 at same time the government imposed much tighter controls on what we can own. 
In the past, after 14 years of pistol shooting i have competed in HV benchrest,BPCR and informal competition but now i shoot purely for fun.
I have been hanging around at Long Range hunting for about a year and thats what gets my bag. Informal target shooting, gongs and varmints from 100yds out 1000+ yds with my custom 243 AI and my Win 70 stealth in 300WSM, of which there is a picture in the gallery. 
Ian. |
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| 2005-07-17 16:48:46 |
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Chuckster
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 11
Location: The "Group W" bench.
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As rob had mentioned, I thought that firearm related fun was pretty much a thing of the past there in the UK, but it sounds as if we were misinformed.
Im more into the stalk...trying to get as close as possible to game, even if it involves tangling with the man-eating rabbits found here in northern Ohio!
Obviously, the dinner table isnt relying upon my skils,otherwise I might have checked into the "reach out and touch someone" tactics earlier on!!
_________________
Sometimes...a little brain damage is beneficial. |
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| 2005-07-18 03:58:38 |
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Centrepunch
Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Great Britain
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Chuckster,
At the time of the pistol ban in 1997 the government put in place legislation through the back door, that enables them to put any restraints on firearms ownership that they want to, without passing through parliament and we have no right to appeal.
The critera to obtain a Firearms Licence is stricter then that for becoming a police officer 
BUT, and this a big BUT, our group of shooting buddies are a die-hard bunch and will not give up our fight to carry on shooting, untill our guns are physically removed from our hands and that wont be without a fight.
Them rabbits sound good, should'nt mind a pop at them i will say.
Long range shots on dear in the UK are frownd upon regardless of the skill of the shooter, the sport being in the stalk, much like what you are doing.
The Highlands of Scotland are notoriously difficult to stalk but the Red Dear Stags are magnificent.
Cost has stopped me from having a try at this but i am happy with long range rabbits, fox's, crow's etc.
Ian. |
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| 2005-07-18 10:45:26 |
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Chuckster
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 11
Location: The "Group W" bench.
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Well Ian...Im sure we can all rest easy, knowing that in the past 8 years,since the handgun ban,crime has taken a serious decline there in the UK! 
Keep fighting the GOOD fight as you mentioned, and know that if it gets TOO rough,you can pull up a shooting bench next to mine anytime!
_________________
Sometimes...a little brain damage is beneficial. |
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| 2005-07-18 14:11:24 |
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Centrepunch
Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Great Britain
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Thanks for the support guys.
Ian. |
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| 2005-07-21 14:25:08 |
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DesO'Neile
Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 41
Location: Northern Ireland
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I am not involved in pistol shooting other than as a means of self defene but there is a bit of light up the tunnel here in the U.K. The fact that Britan will host the 2012 Olympic Games means that there is pressure for bonafide shooting competitors to be able to train in the U.K. Currently they have to go overseas. The pistol ban was in response to the Dunblane massacre when a group of first grades were gunned down by a nutter and did seem appropriate at the time but I now take the view that banning private ownership of pistols only means the nutters will arm themselves with something else and it hasn't reduced the holding of firearms by criminals, in fact if anything gun crime has increased. |
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| 2006-04-09 11:17:13 |
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johnny7
Joined: 29 Nov 2006
Posts: 10
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i live in greater manchester u.k and the gun crime rate has tripled since they imposed the legislation . |
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| 2006-11-29 08:49:58 |
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DesO'Neile
Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 41
Location: Northern Ireland
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Progress? |
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I understand that it has now been agreed that stalkers ( People Recognised as such ) may carry small arms to alleviate the suffering of injured animals. |
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| 2006-11-29 09:30:25 |
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