WWIIReenacting.co.uk Forums

I have just heard about the new UK government data release site. A search for "gun crime" turned out an interesting document:

http://data.gov.uk/dataset/gun_crime_2002-03_to_2007-08

It breaks down the crime figures where "guns" of various types including CS gas (???) have been used, and gives some interesting details...

Interestingly, on Page 46, it lists deactivated weapons under the imitation firearm heading.

Well, the latest figures agree with the figures that they said were "wrong" last time.

I am intrigued who got stuck with 31 charges of attempted murder with an imitation firearm (page 47)... although I did note nobody actually managed to kill someone with an imitation firearm.

I believe pointing an imitation firearm at someone with the intention of convincing them it's real makes the law treat as if you'd been wielding a real firearm. I'd be happy to be proved wrong though....

Having a banana (or your finger) in your pocket during a robbery/hold-up & saying "I have a gun" WILL count as possession of an imitation firearm

ALSO

Easy way to convert a £2 water pistol into AN ACTUAL REAL FIREARM??

NO....nobody guess yet??



















Report is as stolen - it then gets listed as a stolen gun

Lies, Damned Lies & Statistics!!

A couple of mates went into the police force and I had them over for a 'weapons familiarisation day' at their own request, such as "If someone points a M16 with 203 at you with Trijicon sight its PROBABLY, I mean odds on a replica as that sorta stuff is a bit OTT for your average gansta..."

Anything can really be a IF, even lego made in the shape of a gun.

Swiper - thats a bit of a dangerous assumption to make is it not? I believe the standard practice is to assume everything is live and ready to go - better to be safe than sorry.

Comrade Frontovik - the figures I was talking about were from the "attempted murder" column. I believe to be charged with this offence you have to have actually carried out an act of lethality with a clear desire to kill your victim. If it was otherwise then loads of things would be attempted murder - that damned loose paving slab in my road, the peanut manufacturer, the woman who crashed into my car etc etc

It was more to do with them not being briefed on this at all by the police. In retrospect it may be somewhat slightly foolish but they wanted it done Hopefully now they've been in the job for a fair few months they will have been properly briefed/trained

EDIT: Equally you did not see the Stormtrooper that was nearly arrested a couple of years ago at Freshers Fair and point out to the SU/officer the VCRA and the fact he had permission to be in Freshers with it and stuff. Colourful stuff.

A cynical person might think there's a little subtle spin going on there. You can certainly imagine that the GCN or a politician looking for an excuse for restrictions (such as Wacqui-Jacqui Smith a couple of years ago) could state something like "Up to 26% of gun crimes may have been committed with a deact".

Alternatively, are they lumping imitations and deacts together so that at some point they can sell restrictions on deacts as 'closing a loophole' on imitations? (Which would be my long term prediction)

In terms of the actual evidence (rather than the ACPO's 'hunch') the document shows yet again that criminal misuse of deacts is a very small problem and the time and resources required to restrict or ban them would be far better spent on enforcing existing laws.

Unfortunately 'Gov't Announces It Will Enforce Existing Laws More Vigorously' doesn't make for a very exciting headline.

Mark

I thought that was the case with attempted murder - though I suppose that one could feasibly attempt murder with a BF, or just by using a RIF as a blunt instrument

That sounds like what is going on. After all, if it gets past this publication and nobody cottons on, what's stopping them taking the next step? I would write to the home office and ask, but last time it took them 6 months and 2 different departments to figure out a reply!

interesting went to look at the document and got

"You are Not Authorisied to view this document"