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Could someone tell me who is resposible for issuing range safety certificates (particularly for muzzle loading pistol/small bore rifle ranges)? I know they always used to be issued by the MOD but I seem to remember that the responsibility then passed to someone else. How long do they last or once issued do they last for ever?

Much obliged for any information!

i think the NRA are the guys you are after

If you email the Range Office at the NRA,today

range.office@nra.org.uk

Mark it FAO Chris Webb (he is working in there this week-end) he will be able to tell you as the recently 'redunded' Area Manager.

:cheers:

Edit: The NRA have also 'redunded' Doug Glaister who did the Range Certification, presumably (hopefully) they will have appointed a successor?

How long do they last or once issued do they last for ever?................If only !!!!!!!!

Have a word with the guys at Boar Hill......the RSC was issued about 1954 and revoked in 1990.....hence the nice range you use today.....and the enormous amount of work done by the members (and my near nervous breakdown) getting it re-issued. Long story that I try to forget these days....

Thanks chaps, unfortunately I was called away to deal with something else this afternoon and only just got back so a bit late to email Chris. However, general concensus seems to be that this is an NRA thing which is enough for now. Targetman - I actually heard about that episode recently from elsewhere. A bit late I know, but thanks for your efforts!

What follows is my approximate understanding.

The NRA can advise you on what your range needs in order to operate safely. However, what you will get is a self-certification document where, having taken NRA advice (or any other advice you care to use, but the NRA advice now has a history of being acceptable), a nominated official of your club signs to state that your range is safe in accordance with accepted standards including the construction specification and operating rules. On the basis of that, your insurers (who are the important people in all this) will accept the residual risk in exchange for a premium. Fail to maintain the range iaw the construction specification, or operate outside the rules, and you are automatically uninsured (cf driving a car without MoT) whether or not what you are doing is actually unsafe.

So, at all times, you the range operators are liable for the safety of your range.

Iain

Thanks very much indeed Iain, that's very helpful.