The Scotsman,
Tuesday, 20 August 1996
Premature outburst
in support of the gun lobby
Unequivocal: While I agree with your editorial (14 August) that the majority of the public wanted only one recommendation from the House of Commons home affairs select committee, that is a complete and unequivocal ban on the holding of all handguns, a considerable minority would prefer a complete ban on all guns, gun clubs and gun sports. In fact, a far greater number prefer that type of ban than wish to retain gun licences, clubs and sports.LINK
It seems as though certain politicians and senior police officers are attempting to pre-empt the result of the Dunblane inquiry by their premature outbursts in support of the gun lobby.
For example, I thought it was irresponsible of Chief Constable Ian Oliver of Grampian to suggest that a ban on holding guns was asking too much.LINK On what criterion does he base such a preposterous conclusion? If I lived in Grampian I would be calling for his resignation.
Anyone who has not grown out of his childish fetish for possessing guns is surely unstable and should not only be prevented from obtaining a gun licence, but ought to be ordered to report at fixed intervals to a psychiatrist.
The only even-handed way to deal with guns is to either have a total ban or abolish gun laws, allowing everyone to buy guns; we all know what is the more preferable.LINK
William Burns
18 Shore Road
South Queensferry
The
big
issue
Most people would like a
complete ban on all guns, gun clubs and gun sports