And in the UK, there are Air Gun Nuts.

[Robb]

The Air Gun Lobby apparently is cribbing from the NRA.

SCOTLAND -- AIR guns should not be subject to strict licensing restrictions according to the vast majority of respondents to a government consultation.

A Scottish Government consultation on proposals for licensing air weapons returned 1,101 responses, with 87 per cent opposed to licensing.

The proposals were described as "misconceived", "disproportionate", "draconian" and "heavy-handed" by opponents, some of whom argued that an air gun is not a weapon.

However, nearly three-fifths of the responses came from England, and around a fifth came from cut-out coupons from shooting magazines, according to a government-funded analysis of responses published today....

Read More: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/scottish-government-consultation-air-gun-2066601

Scotland, for the record, essentially banned civilian handgun ownership within two years after a gunman shot 16 kids and their teacher in 1996. Crimes involving handguns, startlingly, plummeted.

[Boxerfan]

1. And in America...we pontificate on things we have no clue about...

Really-Airgun nuts....
Well they are an enthusiastic bunch. And they have a rich history of sport using those airguns .

I'm an enthusiast & rebuild airguns as a hobby. The main sport use in England is for "Field Target". It's a proper good tough game. There are points given for "knock down" of steel targets that fall over when hit in a small hole in the center. Some targets have holes as small as 1/4" most less than 1". These are shot at from sitting/standing & various positions. Then there is wind & many other factors that make this game harder than golf to get "perfect" at.

I love the sport. And it's a shame that a good game as Field Target would get maligned here on DU...

Look it up-Really.

BTW-They have a strict 12 ft lb power maximum. We yanks have a 20 ft lb limit for competition. And in most areas there are no restrictions on power.

So puhleeeeze-leave it alone or get educated.

And I'm a tree huggin liberal as always. Just enjoy the Field Target game & if you have not tried it-Don't knock it.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

2. How are the knife attacks going?

Knives are still involved in more than half of murders in Scotland

From Dec 11, 2011:

"Responding to the statistical report, Labour's James Kelly said it was "deeply concerning" that knife deaths had increased by 74% "in the last year alone".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-16175439

[dipsydoodle]

3. That was 2011

In 2012 penalties for possession were increased.

The maximum penalty for carrying a knife is to increase from four to five years imprisonment, the Justice Secretary said today.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/11/knifecrime26112012

That's just for carrying : not using.

[Robb]

4. Yes, I know all those accidental knifings concern you.

In the unlikely event you actually want an answer:

[AnotherMcIntosh]

5. Obviously, all knives in Scotland should be registered.

[oneshooter]

6. But no the Claymores!

[BainsBane]

10. Not nearly so succesfully

since the UK homicide rate is less than 1/4 of ours.

[MicaelS]

7. Wow, what type of gun are you going to whine about next?

Nerf Guns? And the people who like them?

[Robb]

8. Air weapons responsible for 70% of all gun crime

Air weapons responsible for 70% of all gun crime

DERBYSHIRE -- Police have released a detailed overview of offences involving air weapons across the county.

In a report to the Derbyshire Police Authority, it was revealed that 70 per cent of all gun-related crime in the area was attributable to air rifles and ball bearing (BB) guns.

(snip)

More than half of the air weapon offences were committed against children aged between seven and 14.

The majority of the offenders were known to the victim but five young victims were targeted by complete strangers believed to be ‘mucking about’ or using air weapons recklessly.

Read More: http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Air-weapons-responsible-for-70-of-all-gun-crime-12012012.htm

[NickB79]

9. So, a few kids shooting cars and each other with BB guns

THAT falls under "gun crime" in the UK? Wow.

And "air weapons"? Really now, come on. In the UK any gun over 12 ft-lb of energy is already heavily regulated as a firearm. A typical .22LR used in the US for squirrel hunting puts out 150 ft-lb. A 9mm does 350-400 ft-lb. A 5.56mm does over 1000 ft-lb.

I'm reminded of Bill Hick's memorable skit on UK crime from the early 90s:

[Robb]

11. Yes, Scotland's losing the Shoot-Everyone Olympics.

They must feel so emasculated.

[NickB79]

12. You'll shoot your eye out, kid!

You wouldn't happen to moonlight as a mall Santa during Christmas, would you?

[Robb]

13. Ha, ha.

Neighbors mourn for Tollhouse boy killed by pellet gun

Second child killed in pellet gun accident

15-year old Pennsylvania boy dies in pellet gun shooting

[NickB79]

14. Magnum air rifles are classified as firearms in the UK

All of your links you posted state that the air rifles used were firing pellets at speeds over 1000 feet per second. In the UK, which you referenced in your OP, these are classified as firearms and are already heavily regulated in the same way firearms are. Personally, I like their system, and wouldn't mind seeing the US do the same. There are some wickedly powerful pellet rifles out there that really shouldn't be in the hands of children.

However, the guns you suggest need more regulations are literally Red Ryder-type BB guns. These would be the only ones available to children in the UK without a permit.