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Requirement for Clubs to Hold Competitions
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:45 am
by TomEnfield
Gents a little help please.
I have been verbally informed and subsequently believed that there is a requirement for Home Office approved Target Shooting Clubs to hold annual shooting competitions to maintain that they are bonafide clubs.
Can anyone tell me where this is stated/written down in firearms legislation or guidance? I have had a look and can't seem to find it.
Cheers,
Tom

Re: Requirement for Clubs to Hold Competitions
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:48 am
by Kungfugerbil
I've never seen anything like that in my perusal of legislation and guidance in the past. I suspect that even if it did somewhere say that, it would be worded such that it is a suggestion for a way of proving that you're actively shooting. Seems an odd one, surely FEOs know what local clubs get up to?
If it's proving a sticking point, can I suggest the first annual beer mat flipping and rubber-band twanging shoot. You could award the Guinness and Pork Scratching trophy :)
Re: Requirement for Clubs to Hold Competitions
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:57 am
by dromia
Where does it define target shooting as having to be competitive?
Re: Requirement for Clubs to Hold Competitions
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:25 am
by TomEnfield
dromia wrote:Where does it define target shooting as having to be competitive?
I can't find it written down anywhere but quite a few people I have spoken to believe that an approved club must hold competitions rather than just plink.
Re: Requirement for Clubs to Hold Competitions
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:31 am
by Blackstuff
I have also heard of this but have not been able to find any legislation or guidance. The document below outlines the criteria for a HO approved clubs and doesn't mention competitive shooting;
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... Final_.pdf
The more you think about it though the more daft it is as, if you first accept the dubious principle that competitive shooting has any greater merit than mere plinking, collecting or otherwise simply shooting guns, then the legislation would have to set out a virtually impossibly complex set of criteria outlining exactly what constitutes 'competitive' shooting. e.g. Two mates informally shooting one round into a bullseye to see who gets the highest score? Something the club organizes? Something a national body organizes? Minimum number of entrants? Minimum number of rounds to be fired? etc etc etc etc etc
Re: Requirement for Clubs to Hold Competitions
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:58 am
by dromia
TomEnfield wrote:dromia wrote:Where does it define target shooting as having to be competitive?
I can't find it written down anywhere but quite a few people I have spoken to
believe that an approved club must hold competitions rather than just plink.
Belief/faith exists in the absence of facts.
Some people believe that the world is flat but that does not make it a fact.
Re: Requirement for Clubs to Hold Competitions
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 11:10 am
by TomEnfield
dromia wrote:TomEnfield wrote:dromia wrote:Where does it define target shooting as having to be competitive?
I can't find it written down anywhere but quite a few people I have spoken to
believe that an approved club must hold competitions rather than just plink.
Belief/faith exists in the absence of facts.
Some people believe that the world is flat but that does not make it a fact.
The mystery of faith...
Re: Requirement for Clubs to Hold Competitions
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 12:56 pm
by Dark Skies
TomEnfield wrote:Gents a little help please.
I have been verbally informed and subsequently believed that there is a requirement for Home Office approved Target Shooting Clubs to hold annual shooting competitions to maintain that they are bonafide clubs.
Can anyone tell me where this is stated/written down in firearms legislation or guidance? I have had a look and can't seem to find it.
Cheers,
Tom

Sounds like something a pub 'expert' would solemnly impart.
I'd discount it myself, but I am he of little faith.
Re: Requirement for Clubs to Hold Competitions
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 1:09 pm
by mag41uk
Sounds like unsubstantiated cock to me.
Any fac holders ever been asked at renewal or club secs been asked the same?
I think not.
Re: Requirement for Clubs to Hold Competitions
Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 1:20 pm
by WelshShooter
I'm not aware of any sort of requirement. However, on the plus side, you should not be refused a firearm from the licencing department if the purpose is for competition shooting.