Despite previous assurances the Government has now changed their mind and are proposing to proceed with a ban on rifles with a muzzle energy of more than 10,000 ft lbs (13,600J). This will effectively ban .50 calibre target rifles.
Those who participate in target shooting sports other than with the calibres under threat, must understand that the proposed ban is predicated on risk assessment and is not evidence based. If successful, this will set a dangerous precedent for all target shooting sports and in the future will reduce the requirement for evidence based changes to firearms legislation.
During the many and difficult discussions held with the Government, the shooting organisations have suggested that more stringent storage requirements for these rifles would be a better option than banning them, however this advice appears to have been ignored. This is especially true given that no legally held .50 calibre rifle has ever been used in crime in the UK. In addition we are unaware of anyone being charged with illegally importing such rifles into the UK. Because of their size and weight .50 calibre rifles are entirely not suited for criminal use.
The Home Office have not been able to produce any real evidence to support a ban.
I am writing to ask you to write or email your MP and to request they support this amendment, submitted by Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, which is reproduced below for your information. The Bill as it stands is a wholly unreasonable and unfounded attack on target shooting. In addition, if your MP is Conservative you might wish to add:-
We (I) may add that this proposed ban is causing immense upset in the shooting constituency which is overwhelmingly supportive of the Conservative Party and will do great damage.
I thank you for your support in resisting this wholly unacceptable ban which has far reaching consequences for all target shooting disciplines.
I R ROOT
Chief Executive
These amendments remove the proposed prohibition of high energy rifles such as .50cal from the Bill. They introduce a requirement for a certificate holder to install higher security measures i.e. the Level 3 security standard from Home Office guidance. Level 3 is the standard typically required for registered firearms dealers, museums and those who possess prohibited weapons. It includes a provision for an alarm with signalling.
TEXT OF AMENDMENT
Prohibition of certain firearms etc: England and Wales and Scotland
Delete sub clause 30 (ag) of the Bill to remove the ban on rifles over 13,600J muzzle energy and insert the following new clause:
Special security provisions for firearms
(New Clause) A chief officer shall grant a certificate for a high energy rifle where the applicant has installed security measures equivalent to Level 3 of the Home Office Security Handbook.
For the purposes of this section “High Energy Firearm” means any rifle from which a shot, bullet or other missile, with kinetic energy of more than 13,600 joules at the muzzle of the weapon, can be discharged.
Prohibition of certain firearms etc: Northern Ireland
Delete sub clause 31 (ea) of the Bill to remove the ban on rifles over 13,600J muzzle energy and insert:
Special security provisions for firearms
(New Clause) A chief officer shall grant a certificate for a high energy rifle where the applicant has installed security measures equivalent to Level 3 of the Home Office Security Handbook.
For the purposes of this section “High Energy Firearm” means any rifle from which a shot, bullet or other missile, with kinetic energy of more than 13,600 joules at the muzzle of the weapon, can be discharged.