Miniature Rifle Clubs and Galleries

[Sim G]

A thread was started in General about an operator of a miniature gallery who ordered rifles and ammo without certificates. It seemed immediately that the original dealer and thread contributors at the time were unaware of the law. I posted the legislation, but by then the thread had been moved. And I don't have access to that sub forum.

So for those interested, s11(4) of the Firearms Act 1968 gives the exemption to those operating a miniature rifle club or gallery. This is confirmed today in the 2016 Home Office Guidance, s18.4. The original exemption came with the 1920 Act that required initial certification in this country for firearms.

It's not racist, it's not discriminatory, it just allowed those that conducted a particular business or activity that were far more common back then, the facility to continue without the burden of certification etc. The "pound" has always been powerful.

[saddler]

May set one up in my kitchen/dining room
Customers can pay then fire through the kitchen window

Not ideal from a safety point of view, but way less of a health hazard than what "ma'Julie" gets up to in the kitchen!!

Have fond memories of such a .22 range at the old Spanish City ground...

[25Pdr]

It was me!

I was aware of the legislation and just wanted to highlight the fact that Guns were available without a FAC. I really only mentioned the travelling folk a bit tongue in cheek. razz

I was thinking with most Firearms Licensing departments now not really fit for purpose maybe we should just bypass them and say we are running a Miniature Range.

The original post descended into a 'We hate Gypsies' post, so it was transferred to GOM.

Probably only three or four of us there anyway, we can hate away to our hearts content and nobody will ever know. razz

[ovenpaa]

I have fond memories of watching my Father shooting .22 shorts at the fair with a tarpaulin as a back drop, he always hot what he aimed at and would finish with the Jack in the Box for a prize :)

[25Pdr]

Remember a public gallery in Whitley Bay, pump action Winchester with shorts.

The operator had a Enfield No8 on display but wouldn't let anybody have a go.

[TomH]

I remember the patter to get you to keep spending money. "Did you used to be in the army" etc which worked a treat on the ego of a young kid - me.

[ovenpaa]

I remember they just used to scowl when my Father had another go :)

[saddler]

Remember a public gallery in Whitley Bay, pump action Winchester with shorts.

The operator had a Enfield No8 on display but wouldn't let anybody have a go.

Aye - SPANISH CITY

The ammo was CB Caps or some such - tiny rounds with nil powder content - from memory
Acorn logo on the base?

Chances are the bores were smooth with use/age. Good fun though!
Always wondered what happened to them when Spanish City was closed

[25Pdr]

Is that what the place was called??

If I remember they were BB Caps... I've still got some.

On the subject of fun fairs..

Was at one in Battersea London. There was one stall that was very busy...They had a large tank of water and a young girl lying on a shelf wearing a Bikini.

You paid to throw wooden blocks at a trigger pad which would eject her into the tank of water. The best part though, she would flash her bum as she climbed out.

What a job.

[saddler]

What a job.

Was it poor pay that made you quit, or did the mankini give the game away?

Sounds like Blackstuff's ideal employment.

Remember the end days of Spanish City as my mate bought a couple of machines from one of the arcades.
A sad end as it was a huge attraction, but by the early 80's the cheap package trips abroad had killed it off.

By comparison I recall the late 60's in Sunderland on Roker/Seaburn beaches....some days it was literally standing room only
(& NOT just when the tide was in)

Never been quite the same aside from the odd couple of days a year when the Airshow is on