The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Blu wrote:Dougan,

But does that mean that all and every shooting organisation has to be political?

While I agree with you that shooting should be about getting new blood involved unfortunately these days it also has to some degree become political as well. My reasoning for that is nearly all decisions regarding what you can shoot, where you can shoot, licensing, well just about everything is made at a political level. You say that getting folks into the sport could be more effective than petitions that are unlikely to reach 100,000, fair enough but at the same time petitions also let your political masters know that there are rumblings within the shooting community and that you're not happy about something.

These days if you want any changes made with regards to firearms law then you have to be prepared to get involved politically because that's who you are going to be dealing with to get things done. As for the petition itself, well unless you are prepared to peacefully protest en mass (which I can't see happening) that petition is better than doing nothing, well that is unless you are happy with the way things are. Just remember though mate, the more you let them get away with stuff, the more it becomes easier to impose more stuff on you.

Blu

I'm not saying that the politics doesn't need dealing with...I agree that it does, but by the right bodies in the right way...why can't some bodies remain apolitical?

One of the biggest problems with UK shooting (IMO) at the moment is the lost and/or restriction of full-bore ranges - Low attendance only adds to the excuses that the MOD can use to close down ranges where the land can be sold...

...another 1000 shooters booking MOD ranges would make a big difference to the current eroding situation...

Dougan,

One of the biggest problems with UK shooting (IMO) at the moment is the lost and/or restriction of full-bore ranges - Low attendance only adds to the excuses that the MOD can use to close down ranges where the land can be sold...

...another 1000 shooters booking MOD ranges would make a big difference to the current eroding situation...

And there my friend you have it in one, Apathy. Your own apathy and that of the others in the sport will be the death of it unless you overcome that apathy and fight the closures and such.

why can't some bodies remain apolitical?

Dougan are you kidding me mate? Jeez the bodies you guys in the UK have right now are about as apolitical as you can get, that's the reason stuff like ranges being closed down and the other restrictions happen, you couldn't make any easier for the authorities if you tried.

Blu

Hi Everyone,

I'd just like to thank those who have signed the petition so far an those that are lending their support to the campaign.


Some interesting debate has gone on here.


We understand the challenges ahead of us with trying to get firearms laws relaxed. We believe that by starting with. 22 RF pistols which is a piece of sporting equipment used in international competition, focusing on this and the inclusiveness of all forms of shooting we have a real chance of victory here. The fact that many of the established shooting organisations are officially backing this petition with others sharing it shows that we have a real chance of victory here.

We also agree that introducing new people into shooting sports is essential to ensure the future of shooting for generations to come.It is something we fully support and encourage. This is another good reason why we must unite because it will be more difficult to introduce people to shooting the more restricted we allow it to become.

The importance of individual firearms enthusiasts cannot be understated. Whilst it is fantastic and vitally important to have the backing of so many organisations it is down to individuals to sign the petition and share. The power is indeed in our own hands.

A few people are saying "it'll never work" "or "it doesn't interest me". This really isn't the best attitude to have, if people don't sign and support the petition then of course it won't work and one day there may come a time when something will come up that will affect you and you will no doubt wish that the rest of the community would back your corner.

If you sign this petition and share it wherever possible then no matter what happens you can say you tried. What can be achieved by running down the efforts of the people supporting this campaign?

The shooting community easily numbers 5 million in the UK with certificate holders accounting for around 1.5 million, if we can all support each other and each introduce a new shooter each year then very quickly we could have a strong voice in the UK.


Dave
Publicity Manager
Firearms UK.

The shooting community easily numbers 5 million in the UK with certificate holders accounting for around 1.5 million, if we can all support each other and each introduce a new shooter each year then very quickly we could have a strong voice in the UK.


Dave
Publicity Manager
Firearms UK.

If those numbers are correct 1.5 million certificate holders then I am astonished that you have only got 13,000 or what ever signatures on your petition. I would expect you to get 100,000 in the blink of a eye. Why do you think that is.

Just a thought, I wonder how many of those people who are no longer interested in shooting pistol would be making for the gun shops if this petition was successful. I'd bet the numbers would be something else.

Blu

Alpha1 wrote:If those numbers are correct 1.5 million certificate holders then I am astonished that you have only got 13,000 or what ever signatures on your petition. I would expect you to get 100,000 in the blink of a eye. Why do you think that is.

Because most of them are dinosaurs who don't communicate and/or spread news on social media....

Just a thought, I wonder how many of those people who are no longer interested in shooting pistol would be making for the gun shops if this petition was successful. I'd bet the numbers would be something else.

Blu

You might be right I don't know.

Alpha1 wrote:

If those numbers are correct 1.5 million certificate holders then I am astonished that you have only got 13,000 or what ever signatures on your petition. I would expect you to get 100,000 in the blink of a eye. Why do you think that is.

Because most of them are dinosaurs who don't communicate and/or spread news on social media....

So if you don't use facebook or twitter or forums you are a dinasour. So we have 1.5 million dinasour certificate holders and 5 million dinasour shooters. Hmm.

Firstly may I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has signed and is helping to promote this initiative, this kind of help is invaluable in reaching the ultimate goal.

The Unity campaign is an ongoing scheme who's petition is the opening gambit, more initiatives are to follow in due course. To further Unity posters for publicising the campaign in clubs, ranges, retailers if they will, are at the printers. If anyone would like one or two to post up on notice boards, etc please e-mail contact@firearmsuk.org and request them?

The Unity web page now has new information available on who is supporting the campaign, comments from supporters and U-tube clips graciously made for us by followers and posted to aid the cause. If you wish to have a look please visit http://firearmsuk.org/unity/

As I write the petition has reached 13,416 and yes that only represents 1% of UK shooters of all disciplines, as stated already there are circa 1.4 million certificate holders in the UK, so where are they?

The supporters of Unity are BASC, The Sportsman's Association, SACS, DTSGB, Gun Trade News, CZ Rifles UK, University of Kent Shooting Society, Valmont Firearms, RacknLoad, SRPC and JG.

Countryside Alliance are very actively publicising the campaign and will continue to do so. Shooting Times and their News Editor Lucy King is giving us enormous support through publicity on social media and through Shooting Times issues. NRA UK also felt unable to support (All Inquiries to NRA UK).

We continue to contact and attempt to open dialogue with shooting organisations with a view to garnering more widespread support and will update the web site as consultations conclude.

So again I say thank you to all who have signed and please keep promoting, it is very much appreciated, we will keep you updated and urge everyone to just support all shooting for the sake of shooting.

Thank you.
Charles Marston
Secretary
Firearms UK.

NRA UK also felt unable to support

I'm gobsmacked Seriously, the NRA felt unable to support this? Well if it was me over there I'd be sending my membership back to the NRA and telling them where to stick it.

Blu

I have emailed Mr Mercer and asked for the NRA's position on this.