Hi Ben

It always seems a breath of fresh air when I visit some of our close European neighbours just how enlightened they are on gun -ownership and hunting, both subjects which here in the U.k seem draw adverse comment and reaction from the non-shooting populus and popular press.

Almost all European countries that I am aware of seem to enjoy much more freedom in gun ownership and hunting. I always enjoy visits to France and Gremany, just visiting the gunshops there is a real eyeopener.

Can you imagine having gun supermarkets here in the U,K like those in America, and being able to wheel a shopping trolley around loading up with ammo and guns etc, we can only dream of such things here and our wonderful politicans keep telling us we do not want a gun culture and of the need to reduce the numberof guns in private ownership.

Italy it seems also has quite a gunmkaing centre in the Brescia region with some fine double rifles, particularly of the over/under style eminating. there.

It would br a dream for a hunting organisation here in the U.K to have the lobby strength of say the NRA of America or even SCI, but I fear it unlikely ever to happen given our lack of any formal constitution and the supremacy of our Parliament to make and unmake any laws it sees fit, we shall always be at the mercy of politicians and lawmakers.