The United Kingdom gun laws are some of the best in the world and this is why we experience less gun misuse than most other countries.

By comparing UK gun crime statistics with those from other countries we can see that our laws are effective, although there is no room for complacency.  

There are still many worrying issues to be addressed regarding public safety and the use of guns. However, no matter how effective or comprehensive laws cannot make guns totally safe.  Guns are designed to kill, injure and frighten, and that is what they do. Whether they are being used by a criminal or by an experienced member of a gun club, no matter how much training and experience the user has had, guns are always dangerous.

 
As well as criminal activities involving gun misuse, misuse can and does involve people who are using legally held weapons and believe themselves to be well trained and responsible gun owners, including those who understand the laws and have many years experience of shooting and handling guns. Familiarity with guns does not make gun owners or gun users safe, and does not prevent them from becoming involved in serious and sometimes fatal gun misuse. Some are accidental, some are not. 

They include people killed or injured by their own guns, as well as by guns belonging to friends, members of their family, neighbours, companions or colleagues.

Familiarity with guns, and easy access to weapons stored in the home can result in the impulsive use of a gun at times of stress, drunkenness, illness, depression or emotional trauma. 

For example:-

Mervyn Tussler, aged 64, thought to have been a member of Headley Park rifle and pistol club, at the Headley Park hotel, near Borden, East Hampshire for over 30 years, has been shot dead by Police.  Mr. Tussler, who called himself Rooster Cogburn after the John Wayne character, was said to do Wild West shows with people dressed up as cowboys shooting at targets with powder loading pistols. Following a meeting regarding the care of his wife Mr. Tussler is said to have 'flipped'.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk 9th May 2009

People who have undergone extensive training and education in the safe and disciplined use of guns go on to kill threaten and injure other people or to inflict self-harm.

They include:-

• Trained and serving professional soldiers; former soldiers and members of the armed services; gun collectors; gamekeepers; Police officers; members of gun clubs; firearms instructors; farmers, people who regularly use guns for hunting.

For example:-

A man has been charged with a public order offence after allegedly making threats with a firearm near a school in Hooke, Dorset.  A legally-held firearm was seized by police.

Source: Sussex Express, 30 March 2009

• An individual with a firearms licence who had represented his country internationally in shooting competitions was found to have become involved in gun crime. In August 2008 a mini arsenal of illegal weapons was found by Police at the home of Ramsay Scott who competed in shooting at under-l9 level for Scotland.  He was described as having become obsessed with firearms. Customs Officers intercepted a parcel from the United States containing prohibited weapon parts.

Source, Scotsman 20th December 2008

Legally owned guns leak into illegal ownership through the irresponsibility of owner, loss, theft etc.

For example:-

During January 2009 airguns were stolen from a garage in Wynyard County Durham, from a car parked outside a pub in Bethesden in Kent. and from a property in Metherington in Lincolnshire

Source: The Journal, Kent News, Lincolnshire Echo

To learn more about the problems of gun misuse associated with each of the various types of weapons hover over 'Gun type' and select a particular gun from the menu.