Current Affairs The " another shooting in America " thread
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Don’t you mean perverse? Normalising the ownership of firearms for the youth is nothing short of child-abuse.Mad.
gonetomorrow
Player Valuation: £80m
Why does anyone need a gun in the UK? Police? Yes. Armed Forces? Yes. Farmers? Yes. Sportsmen? Well ok under control or in a club shooting range. Why did this nutcase or anyone else without reasonable excuse need a gun?
I found it suprising to see he was a legal owner of a firearm so had a look. Although extensive backfround checks are completed, regular people souldnt be allowed to own guns unless you are a farmer. Also, this guy was arrested in a domestic incident before police handed him back his gun. Thats shocking too.
How do police grant firearms licences?
Police decide whether to grant an individual a firearm after judging whether the applicant is fit to own one. This follows a number of checks, which typically include interviews, visits to the person’s property, criminal records checks and references from friends.
They should be able to demonstrate that “they require their firearm on a regular, legitimate basis for work, sport or leisure (including collections or research)”, although police are able to exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis of what merits a “good reason” to own a firearm.
gonetomorrow
Player Valuation: £80m
That's what I'm saying. Why did this guy get a gun licence in the first place and how many other nutty licence holders are out there?
Obviously, it's hard to keep tabs on all the illegally owned firearms in private hands - almost one million is one estimate.
TN Toffee
Player Valuation: £25m
This is the kind of thing that wouldn't surprise me in the least to read about happening in the US, but for the UK that's pretty apalling.
Yep I was quite shocked as I naively thought very few people in UK were allowed to own guns (farmers, gun memorabilia enthusiasts etc - oh and the rich fox hunting type). I didnt know regular people, regardless of their reasons could own one.
This guy was a crane operator and got his because he required it for 'sporting purposes', which is nuts. Recreational purposes/sport is not a valid reason to have a gun, that needs to be changed. The fact that he was given it back a month before the shooting should see someone or a department reprimanded.
As you say you expect that in US, but im hoping that this causes a change in the law over here, something that 100% wouldnt happen in US.
Without talking about the specific case, think about this as a scenario: a registered firearms owner is arrested for assault but then subsequently not charged.
Should said person then lose their licence?
This has been a tragic incident and if there's been failings they should be addressed although I'd say that, as a nation, we're usually quite good at this.
Look at the response at Dunblane or Hungerford, so I do believe there'll be changes. But, on the other hand, we've got a good history of regulating firearms.
When you consider the sheer number of registered firearms in the UK, the frequency that they're used for crime is quite low, and more so such serious incidents.
orchard
Player Valuation: £60m
I don't know the details on the Plymouth shooting.
Most farmers farm mate (although most will have a 12 ore), a lot of the pest control will be done (by arrangement) by villagers and townies (mainly because they can no longer afford to live in the sticks themselves), sometimes in exchange for general shooting rights for game. There's also a lot of people who shoot driven pheasant, fowl, deer and grouse that would need guns.
There were stipulations that renewal of license was dependent upon using a certain quantity of ammunition per year to justify ownership.
While each force is responsible for the licences within their region, during a renewal process there may be a requirement to justify the use for sport or work.
It's not as simple as, 'I am going to use it for sport.' They may (well should) need to submit proof of being a member of club or the right to shoot from land owner.
You will also then have ammunition checks, searches of premises (gun locker or room) and many other aspects.
NilSatisOptimum
Player Valuation: £70m
Fishing licence you have to renew every year.
Gun licence certificates gets renewed every 5 years.
www.gov.uk
Work in mental health 5 weeks in someone life is very long time...
Gun licence certificates gets renewed every 5 years.
Shotgun and firearm certificates - GOV.UK
You need a firearm or shotgun certificate issued by the police to possess, buy or acquire a firearm or shotgun, and buy ammunition
Work in mental health 5 weeks in someone life is very long time...
They do usually last five years unless you're a dealer. However, during that period the licence holder may have regular reviews at which it can be revoked.Fishing licence you have to renew every year.
Gun licence certificates gets renewed every 5 years.
Shotgun and firearm certificates - GOV.UK
You need a firearm or shotgun certificate issued by the police to possess, buy or acquire a firearm or shotgun, and buy ammunition
Work in mental health 5 weeks in someone life is very long time...
NilSatisOptimum
Player Valuation: £70m
Being the operative word!
There's close to 730,000 firearms certificates in the UK, including shotgun licences, with not far off 600,000 separate individuals currently holding a license.
While there are more rod licenses that firearms, the process of application, requirements and level of inspection aren't really one and the same are they?
If each person was inspected every year, it would need an average of 1,643 inspections every single day of the year, which would be a mammoth task.
To counter this, a person can have their license suspended or revoked if criteria are met such as being arrested or showing a level of particular concern.
I understand your point and yes it's not a perfect system, but there are systems in place to ensure permits are approrpaite.
NilSatisOptimum
Player Valuation: £70m
5 years is a very long time with a "may be checked"?
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