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British Gun Control Activists Want to Ban Air Rifle By Mike Wendling CNSNews.com London Bureau Chief September 20, 2002 London (CNSNews.com) - British gun control advocates have launched a campaign to strengthen laws restricting the use of airguns by children and teens, but shooting associations call the new restrictions unnecessary. The Campaign for Airgun Control wants to make it illegal for kids under age 17 to use air rifles. The umbrella group, which includes the Gun Control Network and Survivors' War Against Airgun Terror (SWAAT), also wants airguns to be registered, and it advocates a total ban on air pistols that look like real handguns. "We don't want to alienate responsible gun owners or sports people, we simply want to take guns out of the hands of children," said Linda Mitchell of SWAAT. "It is youths that are using these guns irresponsibly." The Campaign for Airgun Control says that the number of crimes involving the guns has increased from about 7,500 five years ago to more than 10,000 in the most recent British crime survey. Labor Party member of Parliament Julia Drown, who attended this week's launch of the anti-airgun campaign, said she was in favor of more licensing and perhaps a total ban on air rifles outside of registered shooting clubs. "I see the damage that's being caused, and something has to be done about this," she said. "Is there any excuse for having these things when people are getting injured and possibly killed?" Drown said local police in her parliamentary district have expressed concerns about the proliferation of air weapons. "With the internet and magazines, children and all sorts of irresponsible people can pick these things up," she said. Existing laws Pro-shooting groups argue that current restrictions on airguns are sufficient and that more emphasis should be placed on education and parental responsibility. Currently, children under age 14 can only shoot air rifles under the supervision of someone aged 21 or above, and those under 17 can't buy the weapons, although they can use them. In April 2000, the government rejected proposals for an airgun licensing system and a minimum age limit for possession and use. Nigel Davenport, director of the Countryside Alliance's Campaign for Shooting, said problems with airguns boil down to misuse and that new laws wouldn't necessarily prevent injuries and vandalism. "The whole thing really comes down to social issues and the misuse of these guns," he said Thursday. "The law as it stands right now is pretty strict and clear." Davenport pointed out some of the positive benefits of shooting for teenagers. "Air weapons provide an important entry into shooting," he said. "There aren't many other sports with this level of responsibility and dedication." Jeffery Olstead, a spokesman for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, said greater attention should be given to training and the role of parents. "A ban wouldn't tackle the problem at all," he said. "People who provide guns have a moral responsibility to make sure they are used correctly. In this case, parents are responsible for insuring that children have proper training." Olstead said the crime figures were inflated by a recent change in how incidents are reported and that the number of crimes committed with airguns is "incredibly small." Joe Kelly, chairman of the Sportsman's Association, is also against further legislation. "It's a proven fact that bans don't work," he said. "Just look at drugs -- they're banned in this country, and you can get them nearly anywhere." British gun control laws are among the most strict in the world and a handgun ban was instituted after a 1996 school massacre in Dunblane, Scotland that killed 16 children and their teacher. The handgun ban went into effect the following year, and rifle and shotgun owners must register their weapons.