WH Smith has banned children from buying magazines about shooting – even though it is legal for them to own a gun.
Britain’s biggest newsagent has introduced an over-14s limit on all copies of country sports magazines following a campaign by animal rights activists.
The retailer, whose founding family owned a highly prized shoot in Buckinghamshire, will enforce the restriction on hobby magazines including Shooting Times, because it understood children are not allowed to obtain a firearms certificate until they are 14.
However under the current law, there is no minimum age for applying for a shotgun certificate in the UK, although children under 18 are banned from owning or buying their own gun and under-14s must be supervised when using one.
The decision to grant a licence rests with a senior police officer.
Shooting enthusiasts have questioned why the high street chain does not restrict the sale of motoring magazines such as Top Gear to those old enough to drive, the Sunday Telegraph has reported. Continue reading more…. Article source dailymail.co.uk