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| BASC asks all shooters
to respond to Home Office consultation |
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Every person who shoots and the clubs,
syndicates or groups to which they belong should all send responses
to the Home Office consultation on "Controls on Firearms" and
contact their MPs to express their views, according to Britain's
largest representative body for shooting, the British Association
for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
BASC has produced guidelines on how to respond and how to identify
and contact MPs. The association is asking all shooting press,
websites and connected bodies to encourage their readers and members
to take part. A guide to responding to the consultation, intended
for publication, is included.
The consultation runs until the 31st of August, but BASC is
encouraging people to make their responses as early as possible.
Full details can be seen on the BASC website www.basc.org.uk.
Christopher Graffius, BASC director of communication said "We must
make our voice heard, as individuals and as members of clubs,
associations and syndicates. Rest assured that those who oppose the
lawful ownership and use of sporting guns will be putting their
views across. BASC will make a full representation, but each one of
us must make the effort to respond to the consultation. Lawful gun
owners have not contributed to the rise in gun crime, and tighter
controls on our access to and use of sporting guns will do nothing
to address the problem."
GUIDANCE NOTES FOLLOW>>>>>>>>>>>>
Firearms Control Review - How readers can help
BASC is concerned that the Home Office "Controls on Firearms"
consultation will be influenced by many "anti-gun" submissions. We
therefore ask all who shoot to respond to the consultation and raise
their concerns with their MPs as well. This short guide should help
you to respond.
You can find copies of the consultation on BASC's website
www.basc.org.uk as well as BASC's initial summary of the
Consultation document.
If you don't have access to the web you can obtain a copy of the
document by telephoning Carl Griffiths at the Home Office on 020
7273 3913 / 2697. Copies of the BASC summary can be obtained by
telephoning 01244 573 031.
Responding to the Consultation.
Please respond to:
Firearms Controls Consultation
Home Office
5th Floor
50, Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H 9AT
firearmscontrolsconsultation@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Tips on responding to the Home Office
* Consider if you want to respond as a club, syndicate or individual
*
Explain your experience as shooter, if you are a BASC member , say
so. *
Select the points from the BASC summary response on the BASC website
that you wish to raise. * Briefly set out your concerns with the
proposals you have chosen. Key proposals include treating shotguns
under the stricter tests for rifles, mandatory testing of those who
shoot, and the age limits at which young people can shoot. You will
find many other issues raised in the document. * Keep your letter
polite and to the point - it could be published by the Home Office
in their summary of the consultation. * If you choose to respond by
email the same tips are relevant.
Please send a copy of your submission to the Home Office and copy it
to your MP. You can identify your MP via the front page of the BASC
website.
Alternatively call the House of Commons on 0207 219 3000 where the
Public Information Office can identify your MP from your postcode.
Tips on writing to your MP
* Write rather than email. Personal letters have more impact.
* Explain that you are a constituent, if you are a member of BASC,
say so and explain your shooting experience. * Briefly explain your
concerns about the Firearms Controls Consultation. * Point out that
the Labour Party has a manifesto commitment "not to restrict
shooting sports". * Ask your MP to write to David Blunkett, the Home
Secretary, and raise your concerns. * Keep the letter polite and to
the point.
It will be useful for BASC to know what has been submitted to the
consultation and what MPs and the Home Secretary has written. Please
copy your submission and any replies you receive from your MP or the
Home Secretary to Christopher Graffius, Director of Communications,
BASC, Marford Mill, Wrexham, LL12 OHL.
Thank you for your support |
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