An example of the sort of guff we Brits are regularly subjected to ...

[Dark Skies]

Yeah and I may be wrong, but the privately owned weapons were supposedly intended to be returned to the United States and instead, when the war was over, it was decidedly more convenient to dump all of the surplus weapons the U.S. Gov't and private citizens provided into the English Channel.......

I'm not a historian so take that for what it's worth, but that's what I heard and/or read somewhere.

Logistically, I don't see how returning 10's of thousands of privately owned small arms would even be feasible, but from what I hear, they were supposed to be shipped back, but wound up going overboard instead.

Some interesting reading on the subject:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Committee_for_the_Defense_of_British_Homes

 

[Ignition Override]

I've not read this article, but this is one of many addressing the extremely complex, broad topic. A map a few years ago depicted multiple air routes from Romania, Bulgaria etc eastbound. The IL-76 ("Russian C-141") cargo jet was featured.

The focus was on arms flown into various Middle Eastern countries, and after 'money-laundering' with many crates of these guns, the terrorist groups found access to so many.

UK and Eurozone mainstream media probably ignore any related topic for guns going in a northwestern direction, in order to hide this from their readership, who probably can't comprehend much more than a caption and first skinny paragraph- if that much.

It's mostly about (?) media "good copy" and "trust your elected leaders". A glaring example is our city of Chicago, and which "ruling flavor" - for decades - dominates the media and suppresses any chance of successful competition. The idea of "concrete boots" while swimming in Lake Michigan scares the opposition.

Balkan weapons trafficked west still a 'major problem' - Digital Journal There's no telling how many times shipments of Skorpions, 'Yugo' 9mms, AKMs, Makarovs (9x18mm) make a stop while enroute to northwest Europe.

“Border” Gas / petrol station hot coffee, anyone?

 

[rust collector]

That was an interesting article. I don't think many donors ever expected to get guns back, but Americans have benefitted from many governments' sale of obsolete military surplus over the years anyway. Isn't it wonderful how outlooks and attitudes mutate as borders ebb and flow. I have enjoyed discussing the disparity in the role of weapons in both cultures with friends from Britain, and they generally can't imagine our preoccupation with firearms.

 

[herrwalther]

Will be a headline in the US soon if we don't keep up the fight.

 

[PzGren]

We live in the information age and there is no reason to believe lies spread by some temporary assistant chief Gestapo officer or some local propaganda paper. A five second search revealed that firearms have to be kept in a safe, a very safe safe.

Any person holding a Firearm or Shotgun Certificate must comply with strict storage conditions by storing their firearms/shotguns in a safe bolted to the floor or wall that complies to the standard BS 7558:1992

Firearms regulation in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia

Layout 1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

It strikes me as misinformation that exactly 200 firearms were stolen in three years, an even number like that makes me suspicious, especially since in all of England and Wales only 439 firearms were reported lost or stolen in the 12 months from March 2021 to March 2022.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I was married to a lass from Ohio. I was working for a US company based in the UK. I'd already started selling some of my firearms and possessions to gather some stake money. Then all of a sudden she wanted to come to the UK. Then she got a job she loved and dug her heels in here. Post divorce, it's one of my great regrets. I'd let go of some really nice JM Marlins.

Getting rid of JM Marlins? It's worse than I thought.

 

[Seedy Character]

"Volodymyr Zelenskyy said we have a rifle for anyone who wants to fight."

PRESIDENT said, WE (the government) have a rifle for anyone (unarmed, private citizen) who wants to fight (protect your family and home now, though you couldnt before).

I can't help but see the Pedo in Charge telling us the same type of crap, after his promoted gun ban.

 

[Duster340]

Sucks the Brits face so many gun restrictions. Gotta wonder it that has contributed to the low rate of gun violence there? Or the Brits are just less crazy and violent than us Americans?

 

[Seedy Character]

Gotta wonder it that has contributed to the low rate of gun violence there? Or the Brits are just less crazy and violent than us Americans?

The crazies just use a KNIFE, SWORD, AX, HAMMER, CLUB, etc.

 

[theotherwaldo]

My understanding of the term 'High Justice' is that only the state and its officers have the right to decide who lives or dies.

Any citizen or subject that usurps that right has, in effect, stolen that right from the state.

Thus, any ordinary person that takes it upon himself or herself to engage in the lethal act of self-defense has, in effect, infringed upon the powers of the state - at least, as far as the state sees it.

Actual criminals fall into a separate category, of course... .

 

[Duster340]

The crazies just use a KNIFE, SWORD, AX, HAMMER, CLUB, etc.

Wel that would explain the lack of mass shootings there. And yes, I understand knife armed attackers can kill multiple people. But can't help but wonder if the Brits and other less gun loving culture countries are on to something.

Also, to be clear I am pro 2a, avid hunter that loves to target shoot, trap shoot etc.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I especially like this part.

"We have gone on the front foot and are speaking to people to encourage them to bring the weapons back to Merseyside Police."

Bring them "back" to the police. As if the police had some ownership or right to them. Like the gun "buyback" programs police have here.

Interestingly...according to UK laws, this is exactly the case. They have no "right to keep and bear arms" as we know it here. Lots of people like to say "YES THEY DO!" and cite the English Bill of Rights. But though we can trace our own RKBA back to the English BOR, they are NOT the same at all.

"Protestants may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law".

Note the wording: the RKBA is NOT recognized as an unalienable right at all. First of all, it ONLY applied to Protestants and nobody else. That right there automatically means it's not a right...it's a privilege.

Then it goes on to say Protestants can have arms for their "defence"...but then ONLY "suitable to their conditions" (imagine the conditions of the common person compared to virtually anybody in power) and also ONLY "as allowed by law". Meaning under whatever conditions and terms those in power SAY they can have arms under (if at all), which is in turn subject to change at the whims of those in power.

It is, in fact, very much a case of "what they giveth, they can taketh away". And very much all they have to do is say "you're no longer allowed to own any of those firearms" and that's the end of it.

Are the police giving up their firearms as well, lest they fall into the wrong hands?"

No.

However, they aren't generally armed with firearms anyway (outside Northern Ireland), unless they are specially trained firearms officers. In general, there appears to be a resistance by a significant percentage police officers to arming. And Authorized Firearms Officers can only carry when authorized by an appropriate authorizing officer (inspector or higher). Outside of this, apparently all their weapons are secured/locked up unless issued.

 

[Ignition Override]

Trucks are pretty good “assault weapons” for mass murder.

It happened in Nice France, Berlin, London, New York City.

 

[Old Dog]

However, they aren't generally armed with firearms anyway (outside Northern Ireland), unless they are specially trained firearms officers.

Well, things have changed in the last ten years or so... You will see armed officers, depending on where you visit, especially in and around London.


Makes me glad my last department went to ball-caps. I like that they're still carrying whistles, though, gotta have some flare on that vest if you're unarmed.

 

[Simple Shooter]

This gives me an idea on how to stop carjacking!

You see, if we all surrender our vehicles to the government...

 

[Dark Skies]

Getting rid of JM Marlins? It's worse than I thought.

It still hurts twenty years on. Oh, and the divorce, obviously. Although we are still the best of friends.

 

[HEAVY METAL 1]

"I come away from that read with the impression that banning civilian guns has not disarmed criminals"

I had worked with a temporary employee who was from England. We discussed guns one day and she was anti-gun and said to me: "In England we live in a land where only the bad guys have guns." her meaning was that good people don't need guns. I countered with: "Well, Elizabeth I would rather live in a land where only the good guys have guns."

 

[Dark Skies]

We live in the information age and there is no reason to believe lies spread by some temporary assistant chief Gestapo officer or some local propaganda paper. A five second search revealed that firearms have to be kept in a safe, a very safe safe.

Any person holding a Firearm or Shotgun Certificate must comply with strict storage conditions by storing their firearms/shotguns in a safe bolted to the floor or wall that complies to the standard BS 7558:1992

Firearms regulation in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia

Layout 1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)

It strikes me as misinformation that exactly 200 firearms were stolen in three years, an even number like that makes me suspicious, especially since in all of England and Wales only 439 firearms were reported lost or stolen in the 12 months from March 2021 to March 2022.

The trouble is that yer average Joe Pleb, with no interest in shooting, is likely to just accept what they're told because a) they're lazy and are used to being spoon-fed what to think and b) they have no stake in the consequences of misinformation - legislation / confiscation won't affect them.

 

[Dark Skies]

"I come away from that read with the impression that banning civilian guns has not disarmed criminals"

I had worked with a temporary employee who was from England. We discussed guns one day and she was anti-gun and said to me: "In England we live in a land where only the bad guys have guns." her meaning was that good people don't need guns. I countered with: "Well, Elizabeth I would rather live in a land where only the good guys have guns."

And Elizabeth doesn't know ****. Plenty of good guys own guns, me included.

 

[PzGren]

And Elizabeth doesn't know ****. Plenty of good guys own guns, me included.

I have fond memories of going rabbit hunting in the fields close to a hamlet in the Winchester area with a well known English doctor. I used his Ruger 10/22 with a silencer and only hunting brings you so close to nature and lets you appreciate it that much! Fishing and kayaking are probably next in line.

He had a good gun safe and had explained some of the British firearms restrictions to me.

 

[SwampWolf]

Since self defense is a hit or miss proposition legally in the UK, it would be interesting how a sort of castle doctrine could contribute to deterrence of burglaries.

A moat with hungry crocs come to mind.