Government plans new airgun storage law

The Government has announced plans to prevent youngsters accessing airguns

By Selena Masson

Thursday, 26 November 2009

Safe storage is to be introduced as part of Government’s draft Crime and Security Bill, but will it ever become law?

In last week’s Queen’s Speech, on 18 November, the Government announced plans to restrict airgun use further through a legal requirement for their safe storage.

The measure is part of the draft Crime and Security Bill, which will introduce a wide range of proposals, including legislation to make families take responsibility for children’s antisocial behaviour. The proposal is emotively aimed at “preventing tragic accidents involving airguns by ensuring these dangerous weapons are safely stored and out of the reach of children, by introducing a legal requirement to do so”.

In response, BASC highlighted that airgun safety is a matter of good sense and good practice. The association also pointed to the fact that legitimate users are already aware of safety precautions including access and storage of guns. Bill Harriman, BASC’s director of firearms, commented: “It is regrettable that a small number of incidents of abuse and carelessness have prompted Government action. However, even a single accident is one too many. BASC understands public concern and will support measures that will reduce the misuse of airguns while not impinging on the practices of safe and law-abiding airgun users.”

The rest of this article appears in 25th November issue of Shooting Times.