The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

DaveFirearmsUK wrote:Definitely in order to secure and improve the future prospects of shooting we do need to get more people out and about having a shot( I understand it's harder for clubs right enough). I've taken about 15-20 people for their first try at shooting so far I've only had one person apply for a certificate but everyone walked away smiling at the experience, it was totally new to all of them, they all enjoyed it, some want to come back with other friends. The important thing is as you say it changes opinions and creates positive outlooks.

Also everyone I asked was happy to sign our then current .22 pistol petition(puts some shooters to shame) after having the experience and other people who I didn't get the chance to take out also signed when I brought it up and explained a few facts to them. Many people only go by what they are fed by the media, I've found a lot of older people are a bit stuck in their ways but many younger people are more prepared to accept facts. I think a great problem is that our system is designed to put people off who may be more interested in shooting as a casual hobby.

I messed about with some calculations a year or so ago. Right now we are about 1% of the British population if every shooter could introduce 1 new person to shooting each year and lead to them applying for a certificate and maintain that ratio within a certificate lifetime almost half the British population would have certificates or experienced shooting. It might be very optimistic but that would be a serious game changer, especially if new people have a progressive mindset.

DaveFirearmsUK wrote:

breacher wrote:

DaveFirearmsUK wrote:I've heard of some people using the LMT for deer stalking. Might be interested in such a purchase myself what kind of accuracy can be achieved with them?

I used mine for first time in comp - 200 yards McQueen.

50.3

Thats 3 out of ten in v bull which is .5 moa

Well under moa overall with factory GGG 168gr

Thats snap shooting at randomly positioned 3 sec exposures. So easily accurate albeit a bit heavy.

Thanks Breacher, good info. It's some price right enough but all this anti black gun talk makes me consider it as a purchase just to help break down the barriers and all that :)

Do you mind if I ask where you got it from?

DaveFirearmsUK wrote:Definitely in order to secure and improve the future prospects of shooting we do need to get more people out and about having a shot( I understand it's harder for clubs right enough). I've taken about 15-20 people for their first try at shooting so far I've only had one person apply for a certificate but everyone walked away smiling at the experience, it was totally new to all of them, they all enjoyed it, some want to come back with other friends. The important thing is as you say it changes opinions and creates positive outlooks.

Also everyone I asked was happy to sign our then current .22 pistol petition(puts some shooters to shame) after having the experience and other people who I didn't get the chance to take out also signed when I brought it up and explained a few facts to them. Many people only go by what they are fed by the media, I've found a lot of older people are a bit stuck in their ways but many younger people are more prepared to accept facts. I think a great problem is that our system is designed to put people off who may be more interested in shooting as a casual hobby.

I messed about with some calculations a year or so ago. Right now we are about 1% of the British population if every shooter could introduce 1 new person to shooting each year and lead to them applying for a certificate and maintain that ratio within a certificate lifetime almost half the British population would have certificates or experienced shooting. It might be very optimistic but that would be a serious game changer, especially if new people have a progressive mindset.

Countryman wrote:

DaveFirearmsUK wrote:Definitely in order to secure and improve the future prospects of shooting we do need to get more people out and about having a shot( I understand it's harder for clubs right enough). I've taken about 15-20 people for their first try at shooting so far I've only had one person apply for a certificate but everyone walked away smiling at the experience, it was totally new to all of them, they all enjoyed it, some want to come back with other friends. The important thing is as you say it changes opinions and creates positive outlooks.

Also everyone I asked was happy to sign our then current .22 pistol petition(puts some shooters to shame) after having the experience and other people who I didn't get the chance to take out also signed when I brought it up and explained a few facts to them. Many people only go by what they are fed by the media, I've found a lot of older people are a bit stuck in their ways but many younger people are more prepared to accept facts. I think a great problem is that our system is designed to put people off who may be more interested in shooting as a casual hobby.

I messed about with some calculations a year or so ago. Right now we are about 1% of the British population if every shooter could introduce 1 new person to shooting each year and lead to them applying for a certificate and maintain that ratio within a certificate lifetime almost half the British population would have certificates or experienced shooting. It might be very optimistic but that would be a serious game changer, especially if new people have a progressive mindset.

Cough cough!

Fantastic idea.

Cough!

Sixshot6 wrote:
I try and introduce some people, had a very positive experience talking to a woman while I was speed dating. I haven't seen here since but it was positive. I reckon though we can turn things around and another thing I would add that I have mentioned before is look at it as using our adversaries tactics against them to a degree. It will take time but we can turn things around. To a certain degree its happened in Canada (even though they had less of a battle to begin with, but the change was still amazing and for the better). So lets get doing stuff.

DaveFirearmsUK wrote:

Sixshot6 wrote:
I try and introduce some people, had a very positive experience talking to a woman while I was speed dating. I haven't seen here since but it was positive. I reckon though we can turn things around and another thing I would add that I have mentioned before is look at it as using our adversaries tactics against them to a degree. It will take time but we can turn things around. To a certain degree its happened in Canada (even though they had less of a battle to begin with, but the change was still amazing and for the better). So lets get doing stuff.

What tactics do you refer to sixshot? Use of emotion?

One obvious area is pointing out that guns can save lives as well as take them but that is something that the UK doesn't seem to be prepared to talk about yet.

We do strive to point out that shooting is an inclusive sport and highlight disabled, transgender and female shooters aswell as their male counterparts. We also tried highlighting that the airgun licence in Scotland as well as fee increases/heavy restrictions only affect the working classes and push shooting further into the realms of the elite but all the "socialist" parties still attack gun ownership.

DaveFirearmsUK wrote:

Sixshot6 wrote:One obvious area is pointing out that guns can save lives as well as take them but that is something that the UK doesn't seem to be prepared to talk about yet.

Dougan wrote:

DaveFirearmsUK wrote:

Sixshot6 wrote:One obvious area is pointing out that guns can save lives as well as take them but that is something that the UK doesn't seem to be prepared to talk about yet.

That's because, as yet, and will hopefully remain so, it is not relevant in the UK

I fully commend your efforts in pursuing the .22 pistol reinstatement though, and can't believe how few signatures were given in the last petition

You're also right about promoting shooting as an 'inclusive' sport - Our club has been picket to host a Paralympic type event soon; so last night we decided to buy 6 new air-guns including 2 very nice pistols

That's because, as yet, and will hopefully remain so, it is not relevant in the UK