Use of electronic targetry on MOD ranges now banned

[AR15]

Just to clarify this because Iain was of the opinion that the gentleman who's details I gave him was Landmarc but he is in fact MOD.
The MOD are happy to deliver SARTS training to RCOs so that clubs across the country can book ranges. They want the NRA to organise this and cover the costs. It was suggested by the MOD that they put a range on over a weekend, that a load of RCOs came down and got the qualifications all done and dusted.
They want this situation sorted out just as much as we do.


I have just had a call and been told that something may be happening on the NRA side tomorrow, well done Iain.

[Gaz]

So all this boils down to "RCO not trained on new target system - Landmarc withdraws access from clubs because nobody's qualified to work the new system - MoD happy to provide training on new system at RCO's expense - once trained RCOs are in place normal blatting can resume".

Fairly straightforward problem/solution.

[AR15]

That's it in a nutshell. But the MOD want the NRA to get it organised for all the clubs.

[John MH]

Landmarc have not withdrawn access. It a local restriction that currently only appears to apply to CTA, DIO wide there is no policy but that may change. Leave it to the NRA.

[Blu]

OK gentlemen you had your say at each other let us leave it there, any more posts in the personal vein and they will be removed.

Fair do's, my apologies.

Blu

[Agentfunky]

Well done to those who have pursued this and brought it to the NRA's attention.

With hindsight it is easy to criticise, and we know the NRA have been through a period of transition in recent years. While letting this slip has caused a few issues it sounds like sitting back and doing nothing was not an option for many clubs. The issue has be "left to the NRA" and it seems there is a lot of work left to do.

Fortunately we have several people in the shooting community who have given up a lot of time and effort to seek a resolution to the problem currently faced. People have been looking into this and have applied pressure in the right directions in a positive manner to get things moving, and it appears the NRA are now aware and able to act on the behalf of affiliated clubs. It seems that a breakdown in communication has now been bridged and hopefully UK shooting won't suffer any significant issues.

Time to wait and see what comes of it. Hopefully Iain can move this forward and we will had some more news in the coming days.

[Chuck]

This has been interesting thread and it all seems down to a distinct lack of comms between those that should know and those that need to know. I saw reference to someone involved on "the other side" with no shooting experience of any great amount, that should not be allowed to happen. A shooting organisation should have people with relevant experience: HINT, KAREN seems to be still looking for a place to be, get HER in and on the case.

Whatever, such lack of comms is not good at all. People will look at the "FACTS" and make up their own minds - and conclusions - and may even vent their anger on the wrong but very influential person(s).

More to the point, given what appears to have been a sudden (and hopefully temporary) denial of longer range shooting (reduced to sticks in the ground at 100 yards etc) how many could have potentially had their tickets pulled or at least called into question because the "need" for a 500/1000 yard rifle (or indeed availability of a suitable range) had suddenly disappeared due to this new system being deployed.

Seems from reading all the comments that if there IS a course to learn to use these systems then everyone that should be on it should be on it.

In saying that, I doubt the recreational shooter will lob as much ammo at these things over a day as the average squad of soldiers will. If they are worried about them being damaged by "hits" then maybe some better design of placement for the mechanisms is called for.

[Alpha1]

I have been following this thread with interest. I would just like to say thank you to every one for taking the issue on board. I am getting the feeling that we may actually be able to work this out. Shooting at a stick in target at 100 yards is definitely not good. Thank you.

[dromia]

Just wondering if the NRA has any updates on this yet.

From the work that Paul has done and some enquiring myself it seems that the use of the new system is go across the country other than on the Catterick ranges, MoD staff appear to be happy to provided training in using the new system which appears to be relatively simple, a local club was on an Otterburn field firing range at the weekend and the club owner recieved instruction and off they went. Civilians are good to use Warcop and the York range complex is happy to train and provided access for civilian clubs, Major Fox on the Catterick complex seems top be a sticking point as he is not giving into civilian club requests therefore the "national body needs to do something to help clubs using the Catterick ranges.

It would be good if the NRA could provide clubs with advice about hiring and using the new targetry and it would have been even better if this could have been provided in advance of its introduction, I have been told by more than one source that the NRA was not represented at some key meetings about the new targetry and as a consequence shooters and clubs have suffered. This would have helped avoid this situation and all the speculative red herrings that this thread has thrown up.

What is the NRA's plan and timescale to get on top of this and give clarity and guidance to civilian clubs on this issue and champion our cause where it is needed. A list of key contacts for all the MoD range areas would be good as well so that people know who to speak to with any issue.

I know the NRA is resource poor at present but as a "national" body it surely has to put as a priority the use and access to MoD ranges for civilian shooters who cannot or choose not to use Bisley. The use of MoD ranges is crucial to the success and development of full bore shooting in the UK, from what I have seen and heard there is goodwill from the MoD across the country to civilian clubs and the NRA needs to capitalise and reciprocate this good will or it will loose the little respect it has.

So what is the plan and the timescale for the NRA to get a grip on this, the apparent level of ignorance within the NRA about this crucial topic of civilian use of MoD ranges as evidenced by how they seem to have been been caught flat footed by the new targetry and its use is not acceptable and from my perspective this and the relationship with the MoD needs to be given the highest priority or it will truly earn its title of Bisley shooting club.

[karen]

Why does this always come up on a Thursday evening just before Iain has a three day weekend :roll:

And just in case you think "3 day weekend - bloody part timer!" every other weekend is a one day weekend!

And usually not even that as someone always wants him in for something or other

Love

karen