Salutations and warm wishes for 2008 dear impertinent cephalopod! I am delighted to see some entertaining debate rearing its head. My concern of late, given the lackluster responses on this superlative forum, was that the lead poisoning lobby may have been right….

First allow me to apologise, you are correct in that we are all answerable to the law. The local plod enforces said legislation and so semantics crept in, I stand duly corrected!

That said, I stand by the statement that it is surely better for all concerned to build a better relationship with the constabularies than to beckon conflict at every turn. We are fortunate in our area that there is a high level of firearms ownership, and that the Police are accustomed to dealing with all manner of enquiries. To date I have had no cause for complaint at the service provided and would commend our local firearms licensing team to all.

Amongst the few certainties in life is that shootings future will not be helped by maximizing the opportunities for conflict with the Police. Locally we share a range with the fuzz and enjoy a good relationship. Our recently engaged Wildlife Crimes Officer is of country blood and is active in communicating with the local gun owning fraternity. If the only sin the coppers have made is their choice of career, we should not encourage difficult behavior towards them!

Like your tentacled self I was weaned on air rifles and have progressed through the use of most modern firearms with the notable exception of handguns. With beginnings at my Grandpa’s side I feel privileged to have experienced the countryside in this manner.

If my own grandchildren (still a long way off I hope) are to have the same skills and enjoy the same pleasures brought about by our sport we must ensure its future is secure. This can only happen if we are all united in the defense and promotion of all disciplines of shooting.

It saddens me to see our way of life being so steadily eroded at the hands of the tabloid press, dim-witted politicians and reactionary governments. Only today the BBC carried news of our home secretary pressing to ban deactivated firearms. Surely she will support this with a comprehensive dossier detailing how such a law will reduce gun crime, remove guns from our streets, save lives, reduce carbon emissions, protect all creatures great and fluffy and undoubtedly justify another council tax hike!

Perhaps Ms. Smith’s time would be better spent reviewing the impact of the handgun ban on related crimes….

In answer to your question my dear mollusc, emigration would be a terrible idea. With the labour government on the edge of crerating a utopian society in the UK, what on earth would posses you to leave? We have high taxes, an unstable economy, terrible climate, ludicrous gun laws, a rampant press and a future in nuclear fuel processing!

On second thoughts.....