The Sunday Times October 1 2000 BRITAIN Gun lobby attacks Straw over curbs on teenagers James Clark, Home Affairs Correspondent BRITAIN'S shooters have been warned that they face "decimation" as Labour widens its attack on country sports to include severe restrictions on shooting by teenagers. Jack Straw, the home secretary, is expected this week to back an end to shotgun use by under-14s, a ban on ownership until the age of 18 and a licensing scheme for the sale and use of airguns. The proposals were originally made by the Commons home affairs select committee earlier this year. According to Charles Clarke, the Home Office minister, the government will this week "back the vast majority" of the plans. A spokesman for the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC) said: "If we cannot get people involved when they are young, shooting will be decimated." The move, designed to reduce the risk of crimes and injuries caused by guns, [Aahhh, they must have done some research - I wonder if they will publish some 'before and after' figures so we can all be convinced? JH] will further alienate rural communities already in near-revolt over the cost of fuel and a proposed ban on fox-hunting. Labour faced protests from up to 3,000 countryside campaigners on each day of its conference in Brighton last week. The ban on handguns was included in a video of its achievements shown before the prime minister's conference speech. "It's a fact that there are not too many of our voters among these protesters," said a government source. "The parliamentary party would like to see action." At present, shotguns and firearms may be used by under-14s on private property with adult supervision. Between the ages of 14 and 17 they can be used without supervision, but only with a certificate. Airguns do not require a licence. The BASC has accused the government of exaggerating the safety risk. It told ministers earlier this year that shooting has the lowest rate of accidental injuries of all sports, quoting statistics from the Department of Trade and Industry. Clarke is understood to have warned colleagues that while the government should tighten regulations, it should not be seen as being vindictive towards shooters. He said the "vast majority" of the original report's suggestions had been backed. The response is expected to be published on Wednesday. Opponents claim that ministers have "grossly underestimated" both the numbers of shooters and the impact of the plans on the rural economy. More people practice shooting, in the form of wildfowling, grouse or pheasant shooting, than skiing, sailing, playing rugby or hockey. The government accepts that shooting supports around 40,000 jobs and generates ú653m revenue. There are 800,000 holders of shotgun certificates in Britain and an estimated 2m people shoot. Shooting estates also claim that the environmental impact of a ban would be severe. They spend hundreds of thousands of pounds a year maintaining a wide range of plant and animal life to allow the birds to thrive. Clive Aslet, editor of Country Life magazine, said protests against the proposed ban would eclipse those in support of fox-hunting. "I cannot see the justification. There will be enormous resentment and outrage. This is not only a sport; in the country it is often the cement of people's social lives," he said. The ban is also likely to be extended to Scotland, where many shooting estates are the chief employers in remote areas. The plans could mean that the Olympic double-trap shooting gold medal won in Sydney by Richard Faulds, 23, would be the last to be won by a British competitor. -- It would appear Kate Hoey's appeals have falled on deaf ears. Steve. Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
