Sir, Your report (October 16) on the rise in gun crime dramatically illustrates the complete failure of government policy in this area for decades.

Past action has been based on the repression of legal firearms ownership, on the presumption that if fewer legal guns are available fewer will find their way into criminal hands, and that in general any “gun culture” must be, by definition, undesirable.

It is now clear that this has been a completely futile exercise. Criminals can easily obtain guns that have never been legal, and the “culture” of legitimate shooters has nothing in common with inner-city drug dealers. Worse, the suppression of shooting sports, especially pistol shooting, means that there is nowhere for teenagers to learn about guns in a controlled, disciplined environment from positive role models. Finally, the illegality of weapons means that, simply by possession, a criminal obtains absolute power over the ordinary citizen whom, he knows, the authorities will not allow to defend him or herself.

We need acknowledgement on all sides that the current intolerant laws do not reduce crime, and may even increase it, and hence should be relaxed. The police should start co- operating with legitimate shooters, in order to allow the law-abiding the same access to firearms currently enjoyed by criminals. The Home Office should stop persecuting the law-abiding, and turn its attention to the killers.

Yours faithfully,
ALEX SWANSON,
10 Kingsbridge,
Furzton, Milton Keynes MK4 1EH.
October 16.

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