AddThis SmartLayers

Gazette claims victory in airgun fight

The Middlesbrough Evening Gazette is claiming victory for its Ban Young Guns campaign after tough new restrictions on air weapons were announced by the Government.

The paper has been campaigning since June for a higher minimum age for gun owners in a bid to stamp out airgun abuse.

Home Secretary David Blunkett announced the news that under 18s would be banned from owning them – a move welcomed by the Gazette.

Children will not be allowed to use one before their 17th birthday unless they are supervised by an adult, a member of an approved rifle club or at a shooting gallery.

Carrying airguns or replica weapons in public will also be banned.

Evening Gazette editor Steve Dyson said the announcement was a big step forward in tackling the gun menace and praised readers for their help in bringing about the change.

He said: “Ban Young Guns is a real example of how a newspaper can connect with its community, and I’m proud of our readers for the way they have helped change the law on this issue.”

More than 4,000 readers signed the newspaper’s petitions callling for a ban on airgun ownership for under-18s, which Steve personally handed to Tony Blair when he visited the Evening Gazette in July.

The paper also presented a dossier of its campaign to Euro MP David Bowe who delivered it to the European Commission in Brussels.

  • David Blunkett’s announcement also signalled victory for the Evening Chronicle’s campaign on Tyneside, where the paper joined forces with Gateshead Council to fight for a change in the law after a schoolgirl lost the sight of an eye after being shot.

    More than 21,000 readers signed a petition backing the call when the paper launched its campaign to outlaw the guns’ sale to youngsters.

    The paper then chronicled a series of shootings and the progress and burgeoning support for the campaign from August 2001 up until December’s confirmation by the Government that it would tackle airgun abuse.

  • The Nottingham Evening Post’s Give Pellets the Bullet campaign has been widely praised following the Home Secretary’s announcement.

    The new laws also prohibited carrying replica guns, something the paper has also campaigned about. MPs, the police authority and gun victims have all thanked the Evening Post.

    Back to the campaigns index

    Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
    e-mail [email protected]