Should home-made finger slings be banned in the UK?

fbirder

Member
After a quick Google search I've found at least 5 people have been killed this century with shoelaces. That's at least 5 people more than have been killed with a bow and arrow. I've noticed several people use shoelaces to make their own finger-slings and I'm wondering how they can get away with it. Several of the people I've spoken to agree that banning these death-traps can only make archery even safer.
 

Rik

Supporter
Supporter
I've got a braided leather belt made up of thonging. Better ban that too, as I could easily unravel it and strangle soneone...

Don't forget scorepads... Paper cuts!
 

backinblack

Active member
After a quick Google search I've found at least 5 people have been killed this century with shoelaces. That's at least 5 people more than have been killed with a bow and arrow. I've noticed several people use shoelaces to make their own finger-slings and I'm wondering how they can get away with it. Several of the people I've spoken to agree that banning these death-traps can only make archery even safer.
Fbirder, this is health and safety gone mad. How can you think of banning shoe lace finger slings out of hand?

Surely the way forward is to put in place a proper licensing system, backed by legislation requiring that any piece of string, twine, cord or the like over three inches in length be registered with an appropriate authority.

All manufacturers of string-like articles, including shoe lace manufacturers, hobbyist shoe lace makers etc. must be required to give each shoe lace/ piece of string its own serial number so that they can be properly tracked and suitable records of ownership and transfers of ownership can be kept. Anyone cutting a piece of string into shorter lengths must also register each shorter piece of string created and its new length.

In addition to eliminating a nearly non-existent health hazard, their will be an additional side benefit of everyone knowing exactly how long a piece of string is by referring to a convenient database.
 

Whitehart

Well-known member
Don't forget bow strings, then there would be no need to have any archery equipment, licenced archers or range assessments - Job done.
 

BillM

Member
You have obviously forgotten about the licence fee which would be required by such a move, albeit on the grounds of safety initially but to bring transgressors to justice eventually. Also, what would the level of fee be considering the airgun fee in Scotland after 1st January is ?72 (renewable every three years).

BillM
 

Kane

New member
Well that lightened my mood - until I realised I had a shoe lace in my pocket without good reason !!!!!!
 

jonUK76

Member
If nothing else proper string licensing and the resultant inspection of homes to ensure that each and every string has the appropriate license, is secured properly, and a full risk assessment carried out for each string, should give the Police something to do. There's nothing they like better than tedious paperwork for the sake of it :)
 
T

the-poet

Guest
Fbirder, this is health and safety gone mad. How can you think of banning shoe lace finger slings out of hand?

Surely the way forward is to put in place a proper licensing system, backed by legislation requiring that any piece of string, twine, cord or the like over three inches in length be registered with an appropriate authority.

All manufacturers of string-like articles, including shoe lace manufacturers, hobbyist shoe lace makers etc. must be required to give each shoe lace/ piece of string its own serial number so that they can be properly tracked and suitable records of ownership and transfers of ownership can be kept. Anyone cutting a piece of string into shorter lengths must also register each shorter piece of string created and its new length.

In addition to eliminating a nearly non-existent health hazard, their will be an additional side benefit of everyone knowing exactly how long a piece of string is by referring to a convenient database.
Over 3 inches!

Thats very short sighted.
You can choke on less than an inch of strawberry lace for goodness sake.

I think it would be easier to licence people with three categories of licence
Provisional for youngsters, up graded to full on passing a common sense test
Full for people who can be trusted to go outside without stealing or hurting people
And pcv, for coaches.
 

Rik

Supporter
Supporter
Over 3 inches!

Thats very short sighted.
You can choke on less than an inch of strawberry lace for goodness sake.

I think it would be easier to licence people with three categories of licence
Provisional for youngsters, up graded to full on passing a common sense test
Full for people who can be trusted to go outside without stealing or hurting people
And pcv, for coaches.
Good point, you've got to include anything which resembles a shoe lace as well. "Kids get your permits out if you want to buy some sweets".
Spaghetti is a tricky one. While it's dry you wouldn't need a permit, but when it's cooked you would...
 

not THE Robin

New member
I think I'll keep an eye on this thread .

Knot that it is money for old rope or anything like that.

I hope it doesn't become entwined with other similar conversations.

Perhaps you are just trying to pull the wool over peoples eyes??

BTW I always use a piece of guy rope that I buy with the authority of my scouting badge that is sewn onto my woggle. :raspberry
 

PFC1968

New member
After a quick Google search I've found at least 5 people have been killed this century with shoelaces. That's at least 5 people more than have been killed with a bow and arrow. I've noticed several people use shoelaces to make their own finger-slings and I'm wondering how they can get away with it. Several of the people I've spoken to agree that banning these death-traps can only make archery even safer.
I think your forgetting Lt. Col. Jack Churchill if you're counting the last 100 years. I've never seen anyone's sling of any description cause any kind of near miss, I've dropped my bow a couple of times because I forgot to clip it on, merely resulting in bent sights and embarrassment.
 

mkhari

New member
Well I am in favour of the OP's proposition

Because of a genetic deficiency, I am completely incapable of tying my own finger sling using a lace, it always slips off my thumb. This means I have to use a shop bought finger or wrist sling

I think it is completely unfair that I should be disadvantaged in this way and I insist, on the basis of fairness, that no-one else be allowed to use a lace finger string
 
Well I am in favour of the OP's proposition

Because of a genetic deficiency, I am completely incapable of tying my own finger sling using a lace, it always slips off my thumb. This means I have to use a shop bought finger or wrist sling

I think it is completely unfair that I should be disadvantaged in this way and I insist, on the basis of fairness, that no-one else be allowed to use a lace finger string
You could always use the Velcro, glue a bit of loop too thumb and finger and a length of hook to complete . Alternatively find a scout to do your knots !!!!!!
 
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