Child of nine with a shotgun licence
CHILDREN as young as nine are being issued with shotgun certificates in Dorset.
Figures released by Dorset Police show that 53 youngsters under the age of 18 acquired the licence in the last year - 19 of them in West Dorset.
One certificate holder in West Dorset was just 13 and one in North Dorset was nine.
More than 200 Dorset youngsters hold shotgun certificates and 17 have firearm certificates. Almost half of these live in West Dorset.
In the last year a 15-year-old from West Dorset was issued with both.
Adrian Whiting, Dorset Police assistant chief constable, said the figures did not give cause for concern.
He said: "I don't think people need to be worried about this at all. It doesn't cause any difficulties whatsoever.
"Dorset has quite a big industry in terms of shooting, and certificates only enable young people to use them when under supervision."
He said youngsters applying for shotgun certificates had to be supported by references, background checks and mental health checks.
"Young people don't have the option of carrying their firearms around with them.
"The main issue is that they are kept secure so they are not stolen."
Shotgun and firearm certificates last for five years after the date of issue.
Most have been issued in North and West Dorset but the figures also show one firearm and five shotgun certificates held by under-18s in Weymouth and Portland.
A shotgun - or musket - fires cartridges or blanks but a firearm fires bullets.
Martin Mitchard, secretary of Bridport Shooting Club, said almost a quarter of his club's 90 members were young people.
He said: "The people who do things legally and get certificates are not the ones who are involved in crime.
"We see many responsible young people, and shooting does improve them quite dramatically.
"They realise guns are not to be taken lightly. It is quite character-building stuff.
"Young people are not allowed to wander off with them - they are always under supervision with an adult.
"Neither can they just waltz into a shop and buy one."
Under UK law it is an offence for anyone under 15 to have an assembled shotgun unless they are under the supervision of someone over 21 or the gun is securely covered.
Young people cannot buy weapons until they are over 17.
9:25am Friday 2nd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Old Synic, Wyke on 9:45am Fri 2 May 08
Could this story be an attempt at scare mongering? Young people have held licences for years I had one at 15.What is the problem? Regulations are so tight and those with licences are not the one's that cause trouble.
Could this story be an attempt at scare mongering? Young people have held licences for years I had one at 15.What is the problem? Regulations are so tight and those with licences are not the one's that cause trouble.
Posted by: rach2007, Beaminster on 11:02am Fri 2 May 08
I agree old Synic.
Please dont target licenced gun keepers. Dont blame them for gun crime. Please leave us to enjoy our sport in peace!
I agree old Synic.
Please dont target licenced gun keepers. Dont blame them for gun crime. Please leave us to enjoy our sport in peace!
Posted by: LEC, Dorchester on 11:25am Fri 2 May 08
And the point of this [italic]story[/italic] is what exactly?
I'm with the other two above on this. Back off and leave those that pursue their hobbies in a law abiding fashion alone...
And the point of this
story is what exactly?
I'm with the other two above on this. Back off and leave those that pursue their hobbies in a law abiding fashion alone...
Posted by: Dorsetdumpling, Weymouth on 1:46pm Fri 2 May 08
Hear, hear - this is right up there with:
"[bold]Man with gun seen in field!![/bold] " in terms of sensationalism and scaremongering.
We live in a rural county where shooting sports of varying kinds are a part of the way of life for a great many law abiding citizens.
Please pack it in Echo.
Hear, hear - this is right up there with:
"
Man with gun seen in field!! " in terms of sensationalism and scaremongering.
We live in a rural county where shooting sports of varying kinds are a part of the way of life for a great many law abiding citizens.
Please pack it in Echo.
Posted by: Livinginabubble, Crossways on 2:43pm Fri 2 May 08
How else do you think the Echo is going to get people to read their drivell. The Echo is the most biased paper I've ever read!! No doubt that this post won't be on here long.
How else do you think the Echo is going to get people to read their drivell. The Echo is the most biased paper I've ever read!! No doubt that this post won't be on here long.
Posted by: betteroff on 4:56pm Fri 2 May 08
Its often necessary to pack the heat these days especially with all the immigrants carrying blades.
Its often necessary to pack the heat these days especially with all the immigrants carrying blades.
Posted by: nige, dorchester on 6:43pm Fri 2 May 08
I totally concur with all of the comments. What an awful glorified headline and a nothing story. Perhaps Sarah Goldthorpe comes from the big city where firearms are normally used to kill people. Welcome to the countryside where firearms are used to kill animals.
I totally concur with all of the comments. What an awful glorified headline and a nothing story. Perhaps Sarah Goldthorpe comes from the big city where firearms are normally used to kill people. Welcome to the countryside where firearms are used to kill animals.
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 9:24pm Fri 2 May 08
I saw nothing wrong when I bought my young son an air rifle. The proviso was that he only was allowed to use it on a range under supervision. He was not allowed to bring his friends into the house to look at it and was also told by me that you never, ever point a weapon, loaded or unloaded at a person unless the intention is to harm that person, a lesson that was drilled into me when I was in the Services. He respected that, enjoyed the use of the air rifle and eventually grew out of that phase of his life but I hope and believe he will always use firearms responsibly. I see now problems with young children getting firearm certificates providing that they are supervised when using the firearms.
I saw nothing wrong when I bought my young son an air rifle. The proviso was that he only was allowed to use it on a range under supervision. He was not allowed to bring his friends into the house to look at it and was also told by me that you never, ever point a weapon, loaded or unloaded at a person unless the intention is to harm that person, a lesson that was drilled into me when I was in the Services. He respected that, enjoyed the use of the air rifle and eventually grew out of that phase of his life but I hope and believe he will always use firearms responsibly. I see now problems with young children getting firearm certificates providing that they are supervised when using the firearms.
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