Hawkeye_Joe Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 I got this today and thought it worthy to pass along..... To all re-enactors on the forum, and hopefully those not... This is the first major call we've had to put out to you since our opening and it's at a time when all of us must act in order to ensure the future of our hobby. I'm sure by now you know what I am talking about - the Violent Crime Reduction (VCR) bill being pushed through Parliament at the moment that effectively signals the end of re-enactment as we know it. It states that no more replica or imitation weapons will, legally, be obtainable within this country or through import. It's still a shady area as to whether replica encompasses deacts however most police forces and MPs would suggest it does. Even if it doesn't, what's stopping them from amending the bill AFTER it has been passed to include the words "deactivated weapons"? So it's time to act. At the War and Peace show there will be a petition at the ARC Clubmobile, as it will undoubtedly be the most popular re-enactor haunt over duration of the show. (There is a planned meeting for all of us forum goers on the Thursday evening, see forum for details). You can't miss the Clubmobile - big American WWII style "chuck" wagon, for want of a better term, dishing out free tea, coffee and donuts just to us re-enactors. Other groups are running their own petitions too. The only way we will get the government to listen is by hitting them with paperwork. One petition of 5000 signatures will get reviewed, no one is doubting that. But once it's thrown away it will be forgotten. However 100 petitions of any size and over the course of a few months will keep it current in their memory and show we will not let it rest which is precisely what they want us to do! If you want to help, here's what you can do. 1. Lobby your MP - write to him/her, make an appointment and get your questions across. He or she can then go to the Commons armed with these and get our points across. If you don't know who your MP is go here: http://www.locata.co.uk/commons/ 2. Sign the petitions. Make yourself heard, don't be limited to one. If you caught the programme on TV a few months ago about petitions to 10 Downing Street you will know many were found simply thrown out into the rubbish - if we just send 1 and hope for the best this is a likely possibility! 3. Stick together. Show them we are united on the issue and that WE ARE NOT CRIMINALS. It's not our fault this bill is being enforced. The Home Office and Special Branch will almost definitely check the signatories of our petitions through their database, especially with a bill like this, so they will quickly realise it is not us who should be punished. It might be advisable for re-enactors or members involved with petitions who have criminal records to refrain from becoming (too) involved in this process in case the government uses this/these members background(s) to rubbish/undermine the petition process. Andy Colborn of the SBG will be getting his members to sign a petition and contact their local M.P.’s but he’s stating that *any* (SBG) member who has a criminal record, past or present, should not sign anything or get involved in the matter at all as it will/may only damage the situation further as anyone with a particular type of criminal record (I.e. Violence, fire arms offences, drugs related or serious crime) should not be associated with any type of weaponry/firearm. Apparently when petitions of this nature are submitted Special Branch will almost certainly check the background of the main instigators if not all of the signatures. And as the SBG has a number of Police Officers in their group they should know what they’re talking about. If you have any questions there are many on-going discussions on the forum at the moment and you can contact me directly, what I don't know I will be able to find out and/or point you in the right direction for more info. Many thanks, and please do something. Chris Pozzi http://www.wwiireenacting.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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