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

I was reading the latest offering of the UK NRA Journal when I came across the following letter in the Letters section. Now then everyone as far as I am concerned is entitled to their opinion, well that is until they try to make their opinion policy. Personally, apart from winter time I don't wear the type of clothing this guy has a beef about, I'm more of a jeans and t-shirt type as I like to be comfortable when I shoot.

Saying that though if folks want to wear tweed jackets, flat caps, green wellies or even straight jackets when they shoot, well hey if it floats your boat or improves your shooting then crack on, who the hell am I to say what's wrong or right for you or anyone else.

Thing is though this fella doesn't like something, says it irritates him and that it should be policed by the NRA and made policy. Well you know what Steve, guys like you irritate me with your holier than thou bullshit. Like I said I don't wear this type of clothing apart from in the winter time, I do then because I use it for hunting and because it's nice and warm.

WTF is he to dictate what people shouldn't wear when out shooting. Like it or loathe this type of clothing, it's nobodies business what folks wear on the range. Anyways here's a copy of the letter in full.

P.S. Steve, we're all gun nuts to some degree mate, it's why we do it.

Dress impressions

My shooting activities make me a regular visitor to Bisley and I am irritated by fellow shooters who find it necessary to dress like ‘Japanese Generals’ in an array of military clothing. DPM, MTP, German Flecktarn, and other patterns are regularly sported around the complex. My concern is our image on display to the public, who can see our activities from the Century Range boundary as well as open days, and the non-shooting events hosted at the Pavilion.

What must they think? ‘Gun nuts’ probably. That’s not a label I want sticking on me.
Gentlemen, you are not in the army and being associated with firearms doesn’t mean you have to dress like a military cast- off. NRA, please can you start policing this issue. The range office sees these people coming and going and they should be pointing out the error of their ways. I for one would be in favour of an outright ban of military clothing around the campus.


Steve Houghton

<wonders what Mr Houghton thinks about all those police-impersonating weirdos with their black rifles that seem to hang around short siberia these days and the more "practical" shooting disciplines>

I can just imagine the likes of GCN, Labour, the SNP, the Greens leaving us alone once no one wears "military clothing" when around Bisley/firearms.

This might just push me to buy the 522 I've got my eye on. Always good to p*** off people like this, and identify them early from their reactions.

I've always assumed people wear "military clothing" because it's practical, tough, well made and usually available at a reasonable price. I'm not sure I'd turn up (anywhere) dressed in the full get up from head to toe (much as I wouldn't wear full tweed or similar), perhaps just a pair of trousers, but if shooters want to, let them crack on.

I wonder if the NRA would print a letter in which the writer suggests that "ethnic" clothing offends/irritates them, and could someone please regulate it.

The usage of "Japanese generals" is similarly intriguing.

P.S. Steve, we're all gun nuts to some degree mate, it's why we do it




Actually my club has an existing ban on more than 1 item of camo. Members have to choose either a jacket or a pair of camo trousers but not both worn at the same time.

If people want to practice shooting, using the kit they wear when out in the field, they should be able to do so without prejudice, including clothing, which can effect poi.

Pete

www.varmintinguk.co.uk

froggy wrote: Actually my club has an existing ban on more than 1 item of camo. Members have to choose either a jacket or a pair of camo trousers but not both worn at the same time.

What an odd regulation.

Oh, I do hope I bump into him at this years Trafalgar-I will be the 6'4" unshaven one with the flecktarn shirt, fluorescent pink tutu and 'my little pony' lunch-box.

Haven't read the article, I do not read the rag, since Karen stopped doing it and Blaze took over I gave up taken an interest.

What on earth was Steve Houghton thinking when he wrote this.

United as shooters we do not stand, it seems. What does it matter what we wear, as long as we are having fun.

Meaty wrote:Oh, I do hope I bump into him at this years Trafalgar-I will be the 6'4" unshaven one with the flecktarn shirt, fluorescent pink tutu and 'my little pony' lunch-box.

Why do I believe you :lol:

The club I shoot at on Sundays doesn't allow any cammo, and we're all OK with that. That was the rule when we signed up, so it was either take it or leave it.

Different clubs have different rules, and that's the way it should be, imo. We all have a choice - join or not.

It does make me smile at times, though, at other clubs to see the 'weekend warriors' turning up in their full cammo, boots and webbing etc. If that's what they want to wear, then so be it, but the majority of them just look like what they are - weekend wannabee's who probably think they are impressing people by trying to look really hard in their kit.

Oh well, c'est la vie, I suppose! :roll: :lol:

What a bellend.

I for one would be in favour of an outright ban on Steve Houghton at Bisley.



I wear a camo jacket in winter at Bisley. It's US surplus, and I don't care if it gets covered in mud while laying prone on Century. It's waterproof, warm, and only cost me $40 when I was over earlier in the year.

I do kinda get why head to toe matching camo would bother some, but personally I don't care. As long as you're a safe shooter, you could be wearing a gimp suit for all I care.