My Goals
The purpose of these petitions is not to increase gun ownership or force people to own firearms when they have no desire to do so. If individuals choose to disarm themselves and instead rely on the police to protect them, that's fine. It's their decision and I respect that fully.
However, if you support my belief that decent people should have the right (and the freedom) to decide for themselves whether or not they own guns or non-lethal weapons, I would ask that you take the time sign these petitions.
The UK government have stated that online petitions require a minimum of 100,000 signatures to be eligible for debate in parliament.
The petitions will go live sometime in July 2011.
PETITION TO INTRODUCE A CASTLE DOCTRINE LAW IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
We, the undersigned, petition the UK government to introduce this law to give homeowners clear rights that guarantee they will not be prosecuted or subject to civil action for protecting themselves, their loved ones or their property from burglars.
A Castle Doctrine law gives homeowners / occupiers the legal right to use deadly force, where necessary, to defend their home and any innocent persons inside it.
In a legal context, use of deadly force which actually results in the death of an intruder is often classed as justifiable homicide under the Castle Doctrine.
The Castle Doctrine, as used in over 35 US states, would give homeowners a clear legal definition of what is acceptable, and would swing the legal balance to favour the homeowner rather than the criminal.
PETITION TO REPEAL THE 1997 AND 1988 FIREARMS ACTS.
We, the undersigned, petition the UK government to repeal both the 1997 and 1988 Firearms Acts. We believe that law-abiding people should be allowed to own handguns as well as other firearms prohibited under these laws, should they wish to do so.
These acts were knee-jerk reactions to tragic incidents and have done nothing to decrease violent crime or prevent similar tragedies.
We also petition the government to amend firearms legislation so that all applicants for Firearms Certificates (FAC's) are treated in the same, fair manner.
We believe that the police should have no discretion to deny an FAC to any adult unless he or she has a conviction for a serious violent crime (such as robbery, rape or murder) nor should they have authority to revoke a FAC unless a person is convicted of a serious crime of violence resulting in a prison sentence.
An appeal procedure (heard by a jury) should be introduced so that any ex-offender has the chance to obtain an FAC, regardless of what crimes he committed and when.
Gun storage and gun registration laws should also be abolished. FAC holders should be free to own whatever guns they wish and for whatever lawful reasons they choose. There should be no need to provide a "good reason".
PETITION TO LEGALISE NON LETHAL WEAPONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
We, the undersigned, petition the UK government to repeal all laws that prohibit the sale, possession and carrying of non-lethal weapons in the United Kingdom.
Crime is rising and law-abiding people have no means of defence against armed and violent aggressors. This is unacceptable and needs to be changed immediately.
We believe that self-defence sprays such as CS gas and pepper spray should be legally available so that citizens can carry them in public for personal protection, along with electronic stun devices such as tasers and stun guns.
The recent cut in police officer numbers makes this all the more essential as the police's response to 999 calls is going to be much slower now than it ever was before.
Almost all EU countries allow their citizens to have an effective means of self-defence and the UK should change its laws with immediate effect.