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JONTY F · 06-15-2010, 04:52 AM

Hi Jim K,

Thanks for the interest, and the contribution. Much appreciated!

I'm no great lover of the British Boys In Blue as they're sometimes over-zealous with drivers, but I must admit that I've never come across the sort of attitude or trouble from them as you report. I think your antique gun dealer was spinning you a yarn, for some reason best known to himself, as the Chief Constable of any County does not have independent powers or local laws at his disposal. Nor does he have the power to undertake the shop-to-shop action you describe. Gun law is very strict over here, much stricter than in the US, but it is common knowledge that antique firearms have always been exempt from confiscation and mechanical disarmament and I think the Oxford business you talk about would have caused a public outcry across the nation, if it had happened. As for families being threatened.... it makes a colourful tale, but is absolute garbage in my 73 years of experience. No wonder the dealer did not want you to tell anyone. He would have been a laughing-stock!

To put your mind at rest, I can honestly say that if you, or any of your friends or countrymen, ever come over here to visit, you and they will find nothing but courtesy and help from British Policemen. And, incidentally, I have no relatives or friends in the Police, or in jobs related to the Police Force.

It saddens me when visitors to the UK are told untruths, or given the wrong impression of life over here. I've had nothing but friendship, good manners, and good old fashioned courtesy each time I've visited the US, and I do not hesitate to tell anyone I meet what a great country you live in. I would always hope that visitors to the UK would feel the same about us and our country.

Kind Regards,

Jonty

06-15-2010, 04:52 AM	#7
JONTY F Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheshire, England Posts: 8	Re: Flintlock Pocket Pistol Hi Jim K, Thanks for the interest, and the contribution. Much appreciated! I'm no great lover of the British Boys In Blue as they're sometimes over-zealous with drivers, but I must admit that I've never come across the sort of attitude or trouble from them as you report. I think your antique gun dealer was spinning you a yarn, for some reason best known to himself, as the Chief Constable of any County does not have independent powers or local laws at his disposal. Nor does he have the power to undertake the shop-to-shop action you describe. Gun law is very strict over here, much stricter than in the US, but it is common knowledge that antique firearms have always been exempt from confiscation and mechanical disarmament and I think the Oxford business you talk about would have caused a public outcry across the nation, if it had happened. As for families being threatened.... it makes a colourful tale, but is absolute garbage in my 73 years of experience. No wonder the dealer did not want you to tell anyone. He would have been a laughing-stock! To put your mind at rest, I can honestly say that if you, or any of your friends or countrymen, ever come over here to visit, you and they will find nothing but courtesy and help from British Policemen. And, incidentally, I have no relatives or friends in the Police, or in jobs related to the Police Force. It saddens me when visitors to the UK are told untruths, or given the wrong impression of life over here. I've had nothing but friendship, good manners, and good old fashioned courtesy each time I've visited the US, and I do not hesitate to tell anyone I meet what a great country you live in. I would always hope that visitors to the UK would feel the same about us and our country. Kind Regards, Jonty