Firstly, your research on the statistics is accurate, but incomplete. In order to interprete them correctly, you have to look to a Home Office/National Statistics publication entitled 'Crime in England & Wales: Quarterly Update to December 2004' and dated 21 April 2005. In comparing firearms offences for year 2004 versus year 2003, this document includes the following comment:
"New, more explicit guidelines for the classification of weapons may have increased the recording of firearms offences, particularly those committed with imitation weapons"
This means that the apparent massive rise in figures are affected, at least in part, by a change in the way these figures are recorded.
We have been given no information about whether or not Airsoft retailors are likely to be granted an exemption, other than that we would have to 'make a strong case' (according the Hazel Blears MP and Charles Clark MP). It is prudent therefore, to continue a campaign, in anticipation that we might at least 'get a mention' at the Standing commitee when they meet in October.
The option to make Airsoft guns unrealistic has various pitfalls. Firstly, it has been suggested that Airsoft guns be painted with coloured bands (as in America). In America, criminals have allready fooled police into thinking that their real guns were fake, with the result being that some Policemen were shot dead. Safety colour-bands are not a viable option in my opinion, as the confusion could be easily maintained. Criminals wishing to threaten people with replica guns, would also find it a simple job to remove the 'safety colours'.
Painting a gun all over, would have serious implications for the dynamic of the game. As things stand, holding a large black gun does not make you stand out if you are trying to be stealthy. This is in stark contrast to how easy to spot you would be if your gun was bright orange, as the Gun Control Network have suggested.
Ultimately, if the appearance of a gun is the problem, then consider how the appearance of a cricket or baseball bat changes in the hands of a criminal - suddenly it's a threat. In the same way, the appearance of an airsoft gun in the hands of a responsible sportsman to me is perfectly safe, and if we can find a way to keep replica guns off the streets without affecting airsoft, then it's appearance to people like me is all that needs to matter.
no subject
"New, more explicit guidelines for the classification of weapons may have increased the recording of firearms offences, particularly those committed with imitation weapons"
This means that the apparent massive rise in figures are affected, at least in part, by a change in the way these figures are recorded.
We have been given no information about whether or not Airsoft retailors are likely to be granted an exemption, other than that we would have to 'make a strong case' (according the Hazel Blears MP and Charles Clark MP). It is prudent therefore, to continue a campaign, in anticipation that we might at least 'get a mention' at the Standing commitee when they meet in October.
The option to make Airsoft guns unrealistic has various pitfalls.
Firstly, it has been suggested that Airsoft guns be painted with coloured bands (as in America). In America, criminals have allready fooled police into thinking that their real guns were fake, with the result being that some Policemen were shot dead. Safety colour-bands are not a viable option in my opinion, as the confusion could be easily maintained.
Criminals wishing to threaten people with replica guns, would also find it a simple job to remove the 'safety colours'.
Painting a gun all over, would have serious implications for the dynamic of the game. As things stand, holding a large black gun does not make you stand out if you are trying to be stealthy. This is in stark contrast to how easy to spot you would be if your gun was bright orange, as the Gun Control Network have suggested.
Ultimately, if the appearance of a gun is the problem, then consider how the appearance of a cricket or baseball bat changes in the hands of a criminal - suddenly it's a threat. In the same way, the appearance of an airsoft gun in the hands of a responsible sportsman to me is perfectly safe, and if we can find a way to keep replica guns off the streets without affecting airsoft, then it's appearance to people like me is all that needs to matter.