1. Never point any weapon at any person. Please note that air pistols are especially dangerous and the newer type gas filled weapons are not to be loaned out to anyone who does not know how to operate them.

2. No weapon to be fired for any reason off the range.

3. Very important. All weapons on the shooting range are to be pointed down the range, not at the floor the ceiling or over your shoulder. If you need a rest from the aiming position, rest the weapon on the shooting table in front of you pointing down range.

4. Individual radios with headphones are not allowed.

5. Juniors. Only one junior is allowed at one shooting table at any time all other juniors stay well away, off the shooting range. Of course, a junior may be instructed, but only one at one table.

6. All persons are responsible for safety. All committee members and all members of each team on target duty for each shooting evening.

Members will know that at the beginning of January the Government announced proposals to introduce further Firearms Legislation as part of their effort to reduce the anti-social behaviour that is now becoming prevalent in this country. Last month, the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill was published which contains 82 sections. Generally speaking each of the sections are amendments to existing Acts of Parliament. Sections 42 to 44 amend Firearms Legislation and a summary of the detailed impact is given below.

Section 42 Possession of air weapons or imitation firearm in public place.
It will be an offence to have in a public place an air weapon (whether loaded or not) or imitation firearm without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. Previously it was only an offence if an airgun was loaded which meant that the Police were often unable to apprehend those guilty of vandalism or nuisance. The British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC) and the NSRA, support this Section. It should do much to prevent vandalism and misuse and, so long as reasonable excuse is properly interpreted, should not affect legitimate shooters.

Section 43 Air weapons: age limit
It will be an offence for a person under the age of 17 (previously 14) to have with him an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon, unless supervised by a person over the age of 21. It will also be an offence for a person under 17 to own an airgun.

That gives us serious concerns. It appears that a person under 17 will no longer be able to shoot or train on private land unless supervised by somebody over the age of 21 and will not be able to carry his or her air rifle to the club unless it is Home Office approved. The Home Office do not have a category of airgun club approval. The BSSC, and the NSRA are strongly opposed to the inclusion of this Section. Given that Section 42 now makes it an offence to have an airgun in a public place, whether loaded or not without good reason, we do not believe this amendment is necessary. This view is shared by ACPO.

Section 44 Prohibition of certain air weapons
This amendment to the Act will enable the Government to prohibit or restrict the manufacture, sale or transfer of certain airguns without the need to amend further the current legislation.

Whilst we understand the reason for this amendment, namely that tandem cartridge air guns (e.g. Brococks) have been converted to fire life ammunition (there have been at least 100 seizures of modified guns), we are concerned the powers given in this section could be used by a Home Secretary without proper debate in Parliament.

Take Action Now
The Parliamentary Committee which will consider this bill, will meet during May and it is anticipated that the Bill will become law during this session of Parliament, which ends in September. Members are invited to write to their MPs, or better still visit them at their surgery, pointing out that our concerns expressed above.
Should you wish to discuss any aspects of legislation, please contact Geoff Doe on Tel: 01483-48517 (UK Phone Number).

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