American tells us they implemented the ban because they have been penalized so many times recently by UK authorities for firearms infractions that they were at risk of losing their right to transport firearms of any sort to the UK even combat weapons of American servicemen. The transport of American servicemen is so important to American Airlines that top executives felt they had no choice but to stop risking their gun-transport license by banning hunters and shooters from transporting civilian firearms to the UK.
As this is written, we understand, at least one other major US carrier may be about to declare a ban on the transport of firearms to and from the UK because it faces the same threat American faces. What's not clear at this point is why the UK has cracked down on US carriers this way. Are they trying to help their own national airlines gain market share? Have anti-gun/anti-hunting advocates in the UK gotten themselves into positions of such strength that they can force international carriers to eschew the carriage of firearms? Whatever the reason, there is a silver lining to this cloud. Alarmed by this development, an organization called World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activities (WFSA) has decided to put problems relating to airline transport of firearms on its agenda for action. WFSA, which receives funding from the NRA among other organizations here and abroad, has the international clout and connections to be an effective player in this arena. Hunting Report President/Publisher Don Causey has been asked to participate in the WFSA airline/gun initiative. More details as they become available.........(continued)
