LOCAL shooting enthusiasts have bitterly condemned the handgun ban announced by the Government yesterday.

Angry firearms expert Brian Ford, a member of Bolton Gun Club based in Chorley Old Road, said: "The Government's announcement has effectively killed shooting as a sport. Clubs will not be able to afford the security demanded.

"The Government promised that there would be a discussion following the Cullen report and they have gone back on that.

"These laws will not prevent another Dunblane because you cannot legislate for people like that." He added: "Whether you agree with fire arms or not, the compensation the Government is offering is totally unfair. The fact is is that members of gun clubs bought their pistols quite legally and in good faith - some costing thousands of pounds.

"It's therefore totally undemocratic of them to offer £150 for each gun in compensation.

"Actually I can see there being massive non-compliance with the proposals if the Government fails to pay adequate compensation. There are 20,000 hand guns in the Greater Manchester area. How on earth do they think they can cope with that many."

Another firearms specialist, Captain Ronald Miles from Bury, stormed: "It is all complete and utter rubbish. The people who are creating about handguns have little knowledge of fire arms or the legislation associated with them."

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