Use of electronic targetry on MOD ranges now banned

[Fedaykin]

The problem is John MH is if we make "No fuss" the DIO, MOD and Landmarc might well say "oh great they have no problem with this lets implement it nationally". I understand that you are trying to explain the situation calmly and on how these organisations work but frankly you are also coming over as a bit insensitive. I do realise that you are based down in Devon so I hope you appreciate how irritating it is when the solution proffered by some is to "just go to Bisley".

Not all of us can easily get down to Bisley so this recent news represents a disaster for civilian full bore target shooting especially for those who are more northerly.

What is needed is a clear direction from the NRA the body who apparently are meant to be representing us with the MOD that they are interested in pro-actively looking after our interests rather then a general "we didn't know", "we will have a look into it" and "we might be able to do nothing but hey why don't you just come to Bisley". Generally that only fuels suspicion that the NRA is only interested in Bisley.

Indeed this is expensive new equipment that the MOD want to protect but "we" the civilian target shooter helped them calibrate it and pay for it through our tax's. That it sounds like different regions are making it up as they go along and the general surprise coming from the NRA representatives who have (with my gratefulness) responded on this thread does not fill me full of confidence. That the first any of us have heard about this issue is from Alpha1 starting this thread at 6:31pm on the 27th over matter that could well be a disaster for civilian full bore target shooting nationally and spell the death knell to several clubs who will struggle to access alternatives (especially those who are more northerly), that the NRA is not exactly up to speed over such a serious matter has understandably caused some consternation.

I am happy for the NRA to get on with things but if the message is "we shall look into it", "we might need to spend several months mulling over it" and "never mind we might be able to do nothing - why don't you come to Bisley" the already low opinion of the organisation will only slip lower. If the NRA is meant to be the national body representing us full bore target shooters we need to feel that they are being proactive. At this point I want a clear statement from the new CEO in the public shooting press and on their website (I have just checked can't see anything about this on the NRA website) that this issue is being looked into in a proactive way and promptly.

Certainly I think the NRA does need to consider as based upon the evidence of just this thread how angry and alienated many full bore target shooters feel with their organisation. It is hardly a good state of affairs, not pro-actively dealing with this highly worrying situation only feeds that alienation.

[dromia]

NRA are discussing a great many things with MoD at just about every level. There is a lot of progress. I will not discuss the content of incomplete negotiations on an open forum.

Iain.

Is there a timescale for these discussions and when will the membership and clubs be informed as to the nature and outcomes of the discussions?

[karen]

Please try and see this from our perspective, you last posted regarding this on the 1st and its now the 5th so it has taken 5 days for Ian and yourself to still be unaware that Andrew Mercer was party to a meeting regarding this over 12 months ago.

Er I first read this on Friday and I asked at General Council on Saturday and posted a response from the Trustees and Andrew Mercer.

Unfortunately Iain was in Aberdeen visiting his very elderly parents Friday to Sunday and then worked at home on Monday finalising the NRA Handbook so only had yesterday to catch up with his routine work and start to look into this. I might think he is a god-like being but to the rest of you he is only human and there is only one of him.

I don't work for the NRA (as they don't want me) so why would I be aware what Mercer allegedly did at a meeting 12 months ago?

Suggest you email Mercer direct and ask him as I haven't (and am unlikely to have) the foggiest idea about what he may or may not have done.

[dromia]

Every time I've emailed Mercer I get no reply.

Mind you that is through the web site could anyone give me his email address I can't find it on the NRA website.

[John MH]

I understand that you are trying to explain the situation calmly and on how these organisations work but frankly you are also coming over as a bit insensitive.

Not being insensitive I'm just being unemotional about it.

I am gathering evidence for IWR and some of the activities reported in the Training Safety Monthly Reports do Civilian Shooters no favours, its quite surprising how many Civilian Clubs that have been banned from using MoD Ranges for unsafe and unauthorised practices.

[John MH]

Every time I've emailed Mercer I get no reply.

That's counter to my experience, every time I've emailed him through the NRA site I've had a reply, you should get an instant receipt in you email box to confirm its been delivered.

[dromia]

Have you got his email address?

[John MH]

Forename.Surname@nra.org

[tackb]

I understand that you are trying to explain the situation calmly and on how these organisations work but frankly you are also coming over as a bit insensitive.

Not being insensitive I'm just being unemotional about it.

I am gathering evidence for IWR and some of the activities reported in the Training Safety Monthly Reports do Civilian Shooters no favours, its quite surprising how many Civilian Clubs that have been banned from using MoD Ranges for unsafe and unauthorised practices.

that's extremely interesting , do you have any data on who has more accidents and deaths on ranges , civvi or military?

[karen]

Forename.Surname@nra.org

Forename.Surname@nra.org.uk

Otherwise it goes to the US NRA