Originally Posted by
YellowTom
I thought cadets these days weren't allowed to use self-loading weapons never mind automatic?
YT, the issue is that the cadet forces have been provided with weapons that are classified under Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968. In this case the relevant weapons are:
Prohibited weapons
Some types of weapon and ammunition are prohibited altogether and may only lawfully be held in someone’s possession, purchased, acquired, manufactured, sold or transferred with the authority of the Secretary of State. It is an offence punishable by up to ten years’ imprisonment following conviction on indictment for a person to possess or distribute prohibited weapons or ammunition for prohibited weapons. The list of prohibited weapons is set out in section 5(1) of the Firearms Act 1968:
(a) any firearm which is so designed or adapted that two or more missiles can be successively discharged without repeated pressure on the trigger;
(ab) any self-loading or pump-action rifled gun other than one which is chambered for .22 rim-fire cartridges;
The security and use of S5 weapons is heavily circumscribed and quite rightly subject to stringent security procedures. The issue is that I can see no necessity for cadet forces to be given access to S5 weapons when the aims on objectives of shooting can be as readily achieved by using Section 1 firearms. S1 firearms, which are available to the general public subject to their satisfying the requirement for issue if a certificate, and are far easier to administer; even with the "gold plating" that the services apply.
Bear in mind, this is a youth organisation we are talking about, it hasn't been a pre-service training organisation since 1962. Neither is it a recruiting organisation. If cadets learn to glide or fly a powered aircraft they can continue to develop in a civilian club. Weapons training will be of little or no use in the civilian world. However shooting still is.
YS