I steered the topic about 'what are we doing about the import ban'? I always use we when I need to spread the blame
. Mr Bedi explained that there are several members of parliament, ministers and MLA who are avid shooters and sportsmen.So a strong import lobby already is in place and several petitions have been written to the powers that be. And yet...yet the GOI will not give in. The logic that Mr. Bedi gave is the bad situation. I naturally interjected that didn't a terrorist have his quiver full of AK'S ETC. Then Mr. Bedi made a point which disappointed me a little, he said that don't you know there are 20 fpe air guns...and how will the customs guy differentiate? Airguns can be converted...point taken but who but a desperate naxalite would use a .22 cartridge? Not general masses who would rather buy an imported or IOFB .22RIFLE. I was going to bring up the old wooden board test etc. but gave up.
If the head of a shooting body feels that powerful air guns are a risk then we've already had it. However Mr. Bedi cheerily breezed on about import being allowed for those who hit the MQS as a step away from the total ban. We may all scream," Not good enough!!!" But that's as good as its gonna get.
All our dreams of a nice Ruger or S&W or Beretta or Perazzi are going to stay dreams unless all of us line up at the shooting ranges or I hate to say it," THE ISSF STYLE SHOOTING COMPETITIONS". I for one am going to join the DR. Karni Singh range along with Sanjay and Anupam how about the rest of you?
Regards,
Dev
