Model Forum / General / Models / June 2005

I heard a guy at a recent UK re-enactment event saying a new law is
aimed at making illegal realistic replica guns, though lack of careful
wording, exemption or new controls will also see all re-enactment
weapons and just ownership of weapons, even expensive historic legally
deactivated ones made illegal.  This is confirmed by Keith Bottomley of
the Home Office Firearms Section. There are many re-enact events per
year done by hardworking people and they are enjoyed by hundreds of
thousands of spectators in total, pity MP's are too busy to attend.
For us modellers, a valuable reference source will be lost, the action
scenes will be gone along with no doubt many re-enactors who enjoy the
action part and broomsticks just aint the same, soldiers carry weapons,
drill with weapons etc.

I have seen superbly made plastic replicas in model shows, they must be
destroyed.

Nobody is aware of this , there has been minimal opposition because
they think its just banning fake guns, thats what it should be about
and is, but current wording is making the net far too big.  Anybody
with an ounce of sense must write expressing their concerns over
casting a broad net to catch some tiddlers, well meaning but misguided
MP's may end up nuking London to kill an ants nest as it were at this
rate.  Its had its second reading Monday June 30th 2005.

We can't hope others will write in this instance, as everyone is in
effect just waiting so it seems

This also affects weapons attached to vehicles and aircraft, Sally B
without brownings, museum displays etc, they must be made to add more
wording..

Write to:-Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP, Secretary of State for the Home
Department;
and to key figures in the Lords eg Lord Putnam.

Get your parents to write perhaps if belittled by this.

A terrible way for our heritage to go, into a furnace.  This is no
exaggeration, it will happen, please have your say.  Active guns are
allowed but de-active (to Govt standards) are not, sheer lunacy.

The idea of licensing as per real firearms, two character references
etc could be mentioned as this would see bona-fide owners not made into
criminals, and avoid the big meltdown.

Membership of organisations, perhaps you get to keep the show winner
you made if affiliated to a club.

I wish to still see WW2 re-enactments showing just what battle would
have been like for years to come, just as aircraft are best seen in the
air (unless the only example left).

For those wanting to know more:-

It will (fact) affect:-

a) film, TV, theatre (including corporate and other live entertainment)
and re-enactment (including military vehicle owners with fixed or
removable replica/deactivated weaponry).

b) the Heritage industry including historic houses, castles, museums
and the like eg Historic Houses Association members and other private
owners, English Heritage, Royal Armouries, The National Trust, Wallace
Collection etc*.

c) specialist suppliers and armourers to (a) and (b), for example,
Bapty of London, Hire & Fire, Vickers et al*

d) clients, organisers and directors of (a) and (b), eg (again) English
Heritage, Royal  Armouries, The National Trust, plus EventPlan, Stunt
Action Specialists, et al*

e) those engaged in education such as historical interpreters, and the
schools/colleges themselves.

f) airsoft and associated sporting activities.

Oh yes, serious stuff, and no doubt you can think of more.

You can read the Hansard report of the debate at:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm050620/debindx/5062
0-x.htm
and the bill at
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmbills/010/2006010.htm

Phase 2. Await the names of those serving on Standing Committee, then
immediately write to each and every one of them individually, getting
your friends, members and colleagues to do the same. Subscribe direct
to the free parliamentary alerts service (which amongst other topics,
includes the committees) at:
http://subscriptions.parliament.uk/service/subscribe.html?code=UKPARLIAMENT_86
and as soon as the Standing Committee is announced, start writing -
remember, their debate may be over very quickly and once it is, the
chances of getting amendments would fall dramatically as all we'd have
left is the Lords, now packed with government appointees.

Its happening NOW !  Get writing NOW !

It'll be a ban on WW2 next.

EU have put a stop to Sally B flying through poorly worded insurance
changes to four engined aircraft !

I would rather be modelling but there are times when one must put pen
to paper.