Dear Members For your delectation we have two dates this month. Next Sunday 5th May I still have places available for the McQueen competition. Entry is currently live through the HBSA website.

Historic McQueen Rifle Competition

Wednesday 15th May, the rifle practice is at 1000 yards on Stickledown. As this is a marked shoot the fee will be £10.00. I know this is a slight departure from the normal Wednesday shoots but is necessary due to the other ranges being closed or not available. Unfortunately I cannot attend, however, the last shoot at this distance was a pleasant morning out. Regards Dave Carroll

The retirement of the British Shooting Sports Council’s long-serving Secretary David Penn has been marked at the Council’s Annual General Meeting and Luncheon. David Penn stood down on March 21 after 13 years with British shooting’s umbrella organisation.

Following members exchanges on the forum the following may be of interest. It is important to remember that the list is now the “obsolete cartridge list”. The change was agreed when discussing the list for the statutory version for the Policing and Crime Act. The term calibre is generic and cartridge is specific. As members will recall from my website posts at the time, the list, which will become statutory, and part of the definition of an antique, is still under “impact assessment” at the Home Office regarding addition of, and potential removal of certain cartridges. The decision has been delayed, as have many other matters, by another process currently under discussion in Parliament. The basic situation is clear in the “Guide”. As we all know a firearm chambered for a cartridge on the list may be held as a curiosity or ornament without ammunition. There is no reason not to have an “acquisition slot” on an FAC for a firearm chambered for a cartridge on the list (and ammunition), whether you already possess one as a 58(2) or not. You may, for example not wish to shoot the one that you have because of its condition, but rather acquire another. If you possess more than one, the entry on the FAC should be clear through the description and/or serial number as to which one you shoot. The others remain 58(2)s. Whilst the others are retained as 58(2) the owner should be clear about that, and that there is no intent to shoot them, perhaps keep ammunition separately, and ensure that, for example, whilst at a shoot he does not use them (or perhaps even have them with him). The FAC will reflect the specific firearm and ammunition. Whilst as far as we are aware, this has not been directly tested in Court, we also believe that it is unlikely to be. However whilst the question of intent is difficult to prove, the statutory list seeks greater legal clarity. The same will apply to the owner of muzzle loading firearms who has one on his licence to shoot, has a licence to keep black powder, and has other ML firearms which are not shot. This will perhaps become more focused when the definition of antique (obsolete cartridge or ignition system) becomes statutory. Members are also reminded that you may wish to have those items on your Firearm Certificate which are part of your collection marked as such with an *. Your good reason for having them will be collecting and your FAC should have the condition:-

The firearm(s) identified by an asterisk in Part 1 or Part 2 of the certificate must be possessed, purchased or acquired by the holder of the certificate only for the purpose of its being kept or exhibited as part of a collection and may be fired occasionally

As I reported some time ago a Labour amendment was introduced into the Offensive Weapons Bill regarding “handloading”. This was dropped, (we had pointed out that it was poorly worded) and will not now come back into the OWB. It may be re-introduced into the public consultations to take place on various aspects of firearms ownership and use after the OWB has received Royal Assent. The other aspects will be : medical evidence, Sect 11(4) and possibly air guns. We have been closely involved in meetings and communication with the Home Office and Police in conjunction with BSSC and will, as far as and when possible, report to members.

The Longrange Smallbore event was shot on Sunday 24th in very pleasant sunshine. The morning was fairly calm and sheltered on Short Siberia at 200 yards. The afternoon found us combating a swirling wind on Century adding somewhat to the challenge of the increased distance of 300 yards. All competitors used the .22 long rifle cartridge, none of the other rimfire calibres being represented.

Members should look at these links and sign the petition against the draconian legislation that threatens to destroy this piece of heritage. Derek Stimpson

Australian Regulation: Make Museum Guns “Metal Blobs”

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/691/098/077/reverse-unjustified-and-ill-informed-regulation-that-will-destroy-firearms-collections-of-museums/

Dear Members

The first competition of the year was shot on Sunday 24th February. The weather was almost perfect, following a misty start we had sunshine and virtually no wind for the shoot.