Gun control group objects to war games centre

PLANS for a war games centre near Burton are facing objection from a national anti-gun organisation.

The Gun Control Network has written to East Staffordshire Borough Council to object to the proposals for an Airsoft Skirmish Centre at former army barracks in Stubby Lane, Marchington ʻon the grounds of public safetyʼ.

In a letter to Burton Town Hallʼs head of development Tim Furnell, co-ordinator of the anti-gun group Chrissie Hall outlines the reasons for the objection.

She says: "Airsoft skirmishing is responsible for a rapid increase in the number of military-style imitation guns being introduced to the UK, and evidence suggests that airsoft guns are a growing problem in communities around the UK and abroad.

"Airsoft guns are exact replicas of modern battlefield weapons including rifles and handguns.

"It is not possible to distinguish these weapons from the real thing except by handling them.

"We do not believe that local communities are necessarily aware and certainly not being made aware of the wider implications of skirmishing and having a site in their neighbourhood." Applicant Shaun Sowter was contacted by The Mail for a response to the claims from The Gun Control Network but declined to comment.