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:
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.