SpudFiles

Hi guys,

recently I've responded to an article in a Dutch newspaper, about spudgunning being the next big thing among Dutch jongsters.

It was about (DWV) combustion spudguns and presented them as weapons.A couple of guys got arrested for em.


I wrote the editors and in a long letter, I explained my wish to turn spudding ( pneumatic, because of the law) into a semi-serious sport.
i wanted to explain not all of us are up to mischief.I spoke for all of the Dutch Spud Clan.
(With your permission, I would like to tell them we are part of the IPLA.)


They offered to do an interview, so I'might have found a way to get it done.

I'll let you guys know.

My plan( just a plan right now!!), is to organise a festival, with a minimum of 15 contestants.If you have multiple cannons, a friend could operate it and compete.

All competitors must be 18 or over ( not the builders!!) and they will be judged on three catagories.

1.Design: Judging : Estetics, construction and innovative features

2.Force: Knocking over a target with increasing weight added

target consisting of a metal backboard with a baseplate onto wich weights are added.

3.Marksmanship: Hitting a target, that will be placed further and further, untul only one contestant remains.

target being a 2 liter plastic milkjug, a melon or a pumpkin.

Distance shooting will probably not be possible

Combustion guns will NOT be allowed!! ( risk inprisonment!!)

Whoever is seriously interested to compete, please PM me.
I want to give the reporter some indication to the size of such a festival.

If the article goes well, I might be able to organise all this, provided I can find a piece of land.the article should help, with that, and with the talks with local police.
If all goes wel, it will generate a lot more ( positive) attention.


BTB

hmm i don;t think its a good idea, when eveyone sees how accurate and powerful these cannons are....

well, since this is about europe i will have to write.

if it is within reach for me with car i will bring my hybrid and a argon welding tank to use it as a pneumatic (ofcourse without meter)

so i will send you a pm.

The article was overestimating the power and range dramatically, so it won't hurt.

If people can see this being used in a controlled and positive way, they will love it.

i'm still not convinced

Hmmm, better don't, since we cannot use any negative publicity on spudgunning(risking a ban on pneumatic guns too).
The press wil probably use your words to make their story(saying something like its cheap, so anyone could use it to kill someone), and who knows what might happen then.

(remember the crofty b()mb stuff on the news last year? spudding may be next )

Does the newspaper have a website?

Hmmm, better don't, since we cannot use any negative publicity on spudgunning(risking a ban on pneumatic guns too).

Umm... How could a well organised tournament with pneumatic guns operated by respectable people be negative publicity?

Of all people, I know how much the media distorts reality, but I can almost guarantee that they won't turn something like this into a trap for Dutch spudders. Public opinion says compressed air launchers = clean, safe fun, whereas anything flammable/explosive (whether or not it actually is, but if they don't recognise the name, they'll likely assume it's a highly explosive, poisonous "chemical" ) = evil, dangerous weapons that can never be made safe and are, in general, a menace to civilised society, the rule of law, their operators, all people in a 30 mile radius, and kittens.

I say go for it, chances are it will turn out fine (and if it doesn't, it can't get a whole lot more illegal than it already is).

Don't be suprised DYI. There will always be someone in the media wanting to jump in and say how dangerous this is that any kid could make it and how it's going to become the next weapon of choice for yobs. That in turn makes the public scared so the government get scared and so on. You have to remember that in europe people are much less gun friendly and the government would be happy to clamp down.
You won't of course be allowed to shoot with anything above legal limits, because that's just asking for trouble.

Biopyro wrote:Don't be suprised DYI. There will always be someone in the media wanting to jump in.

I cite the Daily Mail in the UK as an example - moment there's a whiff of anything to do with "guns", even if it's an air rifle, they'll starting shooting their mouths off.

I'd like to get involved, but I can't find the time to trek across the continent, and I'm also certain there is bugger-all way of getting any of my launchers out of the country.

(With your permission, I would like to tell them we are part of the IPLA.)

Isn't everyone on here a part of it? I thought the IPLA was just a term for tying together different spud forums and getting meets together.

Oh well, shows what I know.

hmmm it sounds dangerous for spuding.. I don't know why but I feel it might turn out bad for the european community......


you can show that paintball is safe - therefore it's accepted... but how are you going to show that spudgunning is safe ? basically it's all about constructing more and more powerful launchers... maybe it would be better if you show them some clouds and vortex guns...

The article already stated a spudgun is a dangerous weapon that can be put together by a kid with ready available materials.
Kids use it to fire patatoes hundreds of feet with possible danger to people and property.
And that it is cathing on , just like the " crofty " bomb ( literally!) did.


Can't get more negative publicity than that.

My idea is to show people a more positive side to the hobby and show that it is no different to say, motorsports.

Nobody wants a formula 1 car racing in the midst of traffic.
Yet on a track, millions of people want to watch.

i still see no good coming from it apart from more people wanting to take up spudding, i think the publicity may initially be good, but then when other media get their hands on it....

It's cold and damp down here but personally I'd rather be underground.

Yeah I dont really find the need to prove that spudguns are the thing to the whole wide world"" I mean it might inspire kids, but adults might find it scary. I mean for the competition u have no limits on the ammo that can be used. Paintball(legal on fields) and airsoft(not legal in the netherlands) both use non-lethal ammo(and ofcourse non lethal speeds). But I think that is what makes all the difference. I have seen pumpkin shooting in america before and lots of ppl came>as though that is lethal its more in the spirit of a competition. Personally I dont feel like coming to these gatherings as you have a change of being caught by the police. K spudguns with patatoes are fine> but thats the things I dont build:)