GUN club members claim the Government is branding them as "would be murderers" with its proposals for strict firearm regulations.

Wood Top Rifle and Pistol Club, Todmorden, which has members from Blackburn and other parts of East Lancashire, has organised a special meeting next week to discuss the implications of any new legislation which might be introduced in light of Lord Cullen's report on the Dunblane tragedy.

A spokesman for the club, who has been a member since 1942, said: "We reckon that in this constituency there are 2,000 shooters and as there is nothing to choose between in the political parties these 2,000 people will probably not be voting.

"We feel very upset. We feel that we are virtually being accused of being would-be murderers. We are being branded for the action of one man.

"We have never had an accident at our club or any criminal activity. We all feel we are not getting a fair deal.

"We are law abiding citizens. There are already conditions and if the police properly enforced them they are quite sufficient. Guns don't kill - it is people that kill."

The club is calling on members of gun clubs, shooting sportsmen and firearm dealers to attend the meeting at the Hippodrome Theatre, Halifax Road, at 8pm on Wednesday. Club president Colin Greenwood, editor of Guns Review and technical advisor to Lord Cullen, will be present to explain the possible future legislation and answer questions.

The spokesman continued: "Several of our members have spent thousands of pounds on firearms and handguns legitimately and now they will have to comply with any new law and they should be properly compensated.

"After Hungerford self-loading rifles were banned and the Government offered £150 compensation to gun owners, but many people never received this money.

"People say you don't need to have a gun, but you also don't need to go to football matches or fishing. If we have to get rid of firearms the shooting range will close."

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