Jonathan Debono, Ta' Xbiex
Firearms shooting could be dangerous
I would like to show my concern at the lowering of the firearms shooting age from 16 to 14 years. I feel there are more health-beneficial and much safer sports that one can practise.
I am not against the sports of shooting as it's much better to adopt a culture change in Malta in the sense that instead of hunting birds you could shoot clay pigeons. But could the country handle the risks of allowing a youth to use a firearm?
I can't understand why adults who already hold a shooting licence were preoccupied when other persons expressed their views and opinions on this paper (Firearms Shooting Is Not The Sport That Our Nation Really Needs - July 7). These people can still shoot, so what's the fuss about? If people have young children or nephews whom they wish to take up the same sport and also to start taking this exciting sport seriously, they can encourage them to start practising with an airgun first, which is safer than a firearm.
It is true that there are strict regulations imposed on this new sport but the law can always be broken! It's also true that other countries have lowered the firearms shooting age as well but one has to understand that this sport is still very new in Malta and the country must be really disciplined to accept such a rapid change.
What if the youths decide to go out on the streets or to school with their firearms? Will we have similar incidents and scenes as those we see on foreign news? We have heard of violence at schools, so how would this added risk then be prevented?
A car is also considered a weapon and you must be 18 years of age to drive a car, so I expect similar regulations to apply in the case of firearms. Even an airgun could be fatal, let alone a firearm. I think that more time should pass before the authorities take this crucial step so as to allow for shooting enthusiasts to adopt to the new discipline's code of conduct and procedures.
And in the case of youths practising shooting, who will be responsible for the firearm and who will be responsible for keeping a firearm in his home/possession? Will they carry ammunition/blanks, etc.?
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Lawrence Darmanin
Jul 19th 2008, 02:11
Dear Mr Debono,
I fully understand your concerns regarding the problems with young shooters. It is also our concern as we have to make sure that even the slightest accident does not occur. If you can manage to get a copy of the Police Arms Act & Regulations 2005, you will have most of your questions answered and your fears put to rest.
Airgun Shooting was banned completely in Malta for more than 30 years and this has deprived me and many others of practising an Olympic Sport that was freely available in other countries. From my many years coaching experience in airgun shooting, I can tell you that all young shooters obey all safety instructions as I am sure they will do in any other sport.
It is however very important not to be prejudiced against target shooting by what you are made to watch on films. Shooting on a range is a completely different thing but unfortunately our sport unlike football etc. is never seen on TV and people associate this legitimate sport with violence which is far from the truth.
I strongly believe that this sport is ideal to instill the best behaviour in youngsters.