For members’ information, our response to the Home Office regarding the above is as attached.

BSSC with whom we co-ordinated, also responded similarly.

The process will continue with meetings following the close of the consultation and we will keep members advised as far as we are able,

Derek Stimpson

Another boost for HBSA’s international status and congratulations to our President.

For members information we quote below the HBSA response to the Home Office:-

We are responding to the above as Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association. You have our contact details below and on file.

We believe that we should respond to the questions raised in the usual spirit of co-operation but should state that we do so for the sake of good order and without prejudice, since other organisations have raised the issue that this consultation may not be legitimate due to the way that it has been formulated and expressed. We await advice in that respect. This refers particularly to Proposal H upon which we may comment.

We note that HBSA and other potential stakeholders appear not to have been consulted prior to this consultation, as has been the case in other firearms or collector related consultations.

In the “Background to the legislative proposals” there is identification of the type of firearm mentioned, large calibre (.50 cal) rifles and rapid firing rifles as being of concern. However there is no specific or detailed mention of why that is so, or of their having been involved in crime or terrorism in the UK.

The use of the term .50 cal caused us to write to the Home Office about historic and antique arms and large calibre sporting rifles being caught or included in the category.

We were glad to receive the Home Office assurance by email that :-

and

We were also pleased to note that:-

The seeking of another potential yardstick was mentioned, such as muzzle energy, say of 10,000 ft lbs., being the limit imposed in relation to rifles fired at Home Office Approved Clubs. This too may present issues with historic and heritage arms (including artillery and armoured fighting vehicles) possessed by museums, collectors and re-enactors, but doubtless an exemption may be made for them. Even the largest calibre sporting arms do not generally reach that limit but exceptions could be made if necessary.

We believe the term “anti-materiel” rifle has been recognised as incorrect as such since this refers to the ammunition (armour piercing and explosive) rather than the firearm.

Knives and corrosive liquids used in crime and violence may be an issue.

However once again there must be recognition of genuine collectors, researchers, and museums who collect and study historic knives and bayonets, and to ensure that there are no unintended consequences in any new legislation. The same will apply to broad use of “working” knives across society for legitimate purposes e.g. kitchens, gardening, countryside, many industries, etc. and including training.

Subject to our comments above and in order to assist, we give below our duly qualified answers to the consultation questions.

Trading on line (Proposal A), as with any product or artefact needs to continue to be allowed with the requisite security element built in e.g delivery to a local shop or dealer allowing ID (and age) to be verified, and the legality of the purchase. Providing this can be achieved the the answer to Q1 is “no”. We have some concern about taking a step to create an offence which may produce unintended consequences so again the answer to Q2 in Proposal B is “no” . Turning to Proposal C Q 3 allowing for the broad use of knives mentioned above the answer is “no”. Proposal D, Q4 the answer is “yes”. and Proposal E Q5 the answer is “yes”.

It will no doubt also be recognised that acids and corrosive substances may be used by collectors and museums in various processes, including cleaning and preserving, and by the great majority of the population for legitimate purposes including health and hygiene. The situation is analogous to that of kitchen knives. Once again any unintended consequences should be avoided.

Allowing for these points then for Proposal F Q6 the answer may be “yes” subject to the qualification of “certain substances” and the same for Proposal G Q7 the answer is yes but subject to qualification as for Q6.

Our comments regarding proposal H earlier in this email lead us to answer “no” to Q8.

Regarding Q 9 to 25, HBSA does not own firearms or trade in them. Its members may. They will respond as individuals in relation to any business or trade issues. The same will apply to knives and corrosive liquids. Q 26 and Q27 answer “no” .

We trust that these comments are of some assistance in this matter and as usual remain at your disposal.

yours faithfully

Derek Stimpson

Chairman

Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association

chairman@hbsa-uk.org

Members may wish to note that we have been informed that the Department for International Trade introduced an import ban on bump stocks yesterday.

Stourport on Severn, Saturday 2nd December 2017

Dear Competitors

Thank you all for competing in this our 2nd Christmas Charity Midland Rook and Reindeer competition held to support McMillan Cancer Support.

We were once again privileged to be able to use the range at Stourport on Severn which is an excellent venue; it provides a covered firing point with plenty of room for everyone. I would very much like to thank the Committee and Members of Stourport on Severn Rifle club for allowing us the use of their range, and all those who attended for their continued support.

The day started of very grey with a light drizzle whilst setting up the range, the light improved as the day progressed with intermittent periods of drizzle however it did not dampen our spirits and everyone enjoyed a good days shooting.

This year we attracted 15 entrants shooting 36 matches.

We held two competitions.

1. Any Historic Rim Fire Rifle (any sights except Telescopic) generally .22LR Light Weight Sporting

2. Any Historic Central Fire Rifle (any sights except Telescopic) generally Galley Style Rook or Cadet

A £20 prize was awarded for first place in competition 1.

Phil Carter won this year’s event with a score of 92 and generously donated his prize to the overall charity fund.

For competition 2 entrants provided a prize, all entrants then took turns to select a prize based on their performance, first place taking first choice and working down to last place, so everyone was a winner.

Tea, Coffee and some excellent biscuits from Mrs Boulton where available which went down a treat.

As this event is run to support Charity all proceeds being donated to McMillan Cancer Support.

Following Phil’s donation we raised a total amount of £175.

I hope everyone had a good day and that we see you all next year:

• Annual Rook & Rabbit Shoot 6th October 2018
• Christmas Rook & Reindeer 1st December 2018

To all those who supported this event I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Best Regards

 Paul Smith

As part of the HBSA commitment to historical firearms there is a varied and regular list of practice days and competitions organised each year. This, I feel, is a significant part of what we are – actually getting the hardware out on the ranges and firing it. These days have, until now, been run by a small but dedicated group of members, in some cases over many years. My thanks go to all involved.

This is my first year of booking the range days and competitions. For various reasons, retirements etcetera I have booked the normal schedule, however, as yet have NO volunteers at all to help run the 2018 competitions.

CAN YOU HELP? The first date is the Long Range Small bore competition on 18th March (practice day 14th March). Further dates will be published shortly on the HBSA website.

David Carroll rifle.practice@hbsa-uk.org

We, HBSA, will be responding to the Home Office public consultation on antiques shortly. We will do so following substantial work together with BSSC, MLAGB, Arms & Armour Society, Royal Armouries, and other interested parties.

As we have previously mentioned in our last website post (quoted again below this message for easy reference), this is a second phase in the process started with the Law Commission report and the passing of the Policing & Crime Act, which includes a definition for an “antique firearm” (no longer a curio or ornament).

The attached document will give members some guidance should they wish to respond to the consultation as individuals. Most weight is given by the Home Office to responses from Associations and bodies representing their members but it is clearly preferable if members responses support the same views.

Major (retd) Ian Jones  MBE – “40 Years Bomb Disposal – Still 10 fingers”.

The speaker has spent 40 years involved with bomb disposal operations.   His first Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD)  tour of duty was as a corporal in Northern Ireland in 1974. He then gained a commission, returned to the Province in 1982 and, as a captain, was responsible for all bomb disposal operations in Belfast.   In 1992, as a major, he was Officer Commanding 321 Company RAOC, responsible for all bomb disposal operations in the whole Province.  This was followed by a year in an intelligence post gathering information on Improvised Explosive Devices worldwide.  He left the Army in 1994 and joined the Counter Terrorist Command of the  Metropolitan Police where,  he served as an Explosives Officer dealing with all incidents involving explosives in London.  He answered over 2000 calls for assistance in the following 18 years before retiring after the Olympics.

He has written two books, Malice Aforethought – The History of the Booby Trap and London – Bombed Blitzed and Blown Up, a history of the bombing of the capital from 1867 to 2007.   He was until recently a member of the Durand Group that open and explore WW1 tunnels and is a keen Cartridge collector.