WHILE I fully understand Chief Inspector Madgwick's plea to ban all replica firearms (November 3) I cannot say I think it is the answer.

For every clown that waves a replica gun around in a show of bravado or stupidity there are dozens of law-abiding people whose hobby is collecting replica guns. Ban them and many people lose a hobby thanks to the stupidity of others.

A friend of mine was a keen member of a shooting club in Halifax. He had to sell his weapons thanks to that nutter in Hungerford. The compensation he received was put towards a motorbike which in turn cost him his life due to a road accident.

Like his wife and three kids, I firmly believe that if he hadn't had to sell his guns then he would still be here today.

I own a set of samurai swords. They were bought as an ornament for the house. I have no intention of losing the plot and running round Heworth stabbing people or going outside, threatening someone and having a five-hour stand off with the police.

I admit that replica guns look like the real thing but why deprive the decent people of an interest through the actions of idiots?

PR Willey,

Burnholme Drive,

Heworth, York.

Updated: 10:05 Friday, November 05, 2004