UK Clubs

The following is based on the information given by Mr Glynn Alger & Chris Web of the NRA during a meeting with Civilian clubs at Bromsgrove, on Saturday 8^th March 2008.

We have been advised by the MOD at Warminster, and now the NRA (on the 8th March), that users of MOD 'Field Firing Areas' - now termed 'Live Fire Tactical Training Areas' (LFTTA) - are NOT going to be restricted by the 7000 Joule energy and 2900 Meter danger area template limitations that will be applied to gallery ranges only.

A mandatory proof of zero test for 4500J - 7000J ammunition on gallery ranges has been introduced and is enforceable from the 1st April 2008, therefore a 'High Energy' RCO must be present at each and every shoot where a rifle and ammunition combination that has a muzzle energy of over 4500J is used. The HE RCO will require that the appropriate shooters undertake a quick zero procedure at 200 yards, the HE RCO will then sign each target to indicate that the shooter has been cleared for that range, on that day, with that rifle - and can then proceed to longer distances than 200 meters. Unfortunately this proof of zero only lasts for that one day. Targets will be available for download from the NRA soon.

Not sure if your rifle is over 4500J? Click here for a simple ballistic calculator - print out the bullet drop table if you can't memorise it. Many ammunition types are over this limit, all you need to do is push a 170gn bullet at 2961 feet/sec and you are over the limit by 1 joule!

What happens if you get caught using ammunition which is over this limit on a gallery range and you are without your RCO HE signed and dated test target? Simple, an authorised person from the MOD will take a sample of your ammunition for expert testing, (not at the range) if found to be over the limit then you will be banned form every MOD range for life. We are still waiting for the exact procedure, we have been told that there will be no room for debate. (However, we have explained that any testing must be carried out using the same Rifle, as variations in chamber, barrel length etc., can vary the muzzle energy)

It is believed (although awaiting written confirmation), that if the range is less than 200 meters then no zero process will be required for those rifle/ammunition combinations that are in the 4500 - 7000J range.

The FCSA UK will be getting as many of its RCOs 'upgraded' to this new standard ASAP, ideally before the 1st April 2008. If you are a member and a qualified RCO then please contact the club Secretary or Chairman ASAP.

From the 1st April the FCSA UK will begin a process that will certify each member as a competent and 'safe shooter', in accordance with new MOD/NRA requirements, we have until January 2009 to complete this task, after which it will be a mandatory requirement for all users of all MOD ranges, including Field Firing Areas.

Essentially all this will mean is that each shooter needs to demonstrate that they are capable of operating their rifle in a safe manner, the club Chairman will then sign each certificate accordingly, this will be renewed each year assuming the member can demonstrate the level of competency required by the MOD and NRA. This certificate is totally independent from the 7000J zero test as described above.

More information will be released soon, however copies of the certificate can be downloaded from the NRA website (we are informed) week commencing Monday 17^th March 08.

All new probationers will be expected to follow the NRA probationary membership training scheme, this can be in addition to the clubs existing safety training scheme.

Please be aware of the new menu button titled 'Range Safety', all members and affiliated clubs must be fully aware of this policy, failure to abide by these range rules and guidelines will result in a warning being issued by the RCO - no matter how minor the incident, any repetition will result in that person being asked to leave the range immediately.

Update: News expected in the next 3 weeks as to bookings and availability (Oct 2007)

Radnor has been sold at auction on the 11th August 2005 to a Mr. Charles Bromwich, a member of Minsterley ranges, so hopefully the range will stay with the shooting community, the FCSA wishes Charles all the best in his recent acquisition.

Many of our members have been asking me for an update on the dreaded Home Office Consultation paper. So on the 19th April 2005 I contacted the Home Office in an attempt to find out what was happening with the consultation process, as we had all been expecting news in the 1st quarter of 2005. The reply I (eventually) received was as follows:

Dear Chris,

Thank you for your recent e-mail about our review of firearms controls.

We have been analysing the considerable response to last May's consultation paper and will be publishing a summary of the views expressed, and our thoughts on what we intend to do next, as soon as we are able to.

There is no fixed timetable and, as I am sure you appreciate, firearms legislation is a complex area. It would be wrong at this stage to preempt what the outcome of this review might be. However, I can assure you and your members that we will be looking to achieve in consultation with key representative organisations, including those from the legitimate shooting world, a balanced and proportionate system of control that is simple and enforceable but still ensures public safety.

Kind regards

Zoe Dormon

Firearms Section

This may be read as good news, and if the latest proposed 'Violent Crime Bill' is anything to go by it would appear as though certain key (and sensible) aspects of the original consultation paper have been put forward to the House of Commons, these being - restrictions on replica guns, controls over primers, reloading presses and dies. No mention of any additional restrictions on the legitimate target shooter! Fingers crossed that this is the end of the line for the consultation process, having "no fixed timetable" would generally indicate that they are under no real pressure to enforce more restrictions, maybe the emphasis has swung to review the licensing system - often seen as too bureaucratic, quote, "a balanced and proportionate system that is simple and enforceable..."

Please follow this link. Read the Home Office consultation paper and then our response.

Where do we go now? Well we still need to increase our membership so may I suggest that we try and make contact with as many 50cal shooters and clubs in the UK, maybe using this site. If you have e-mail addresses of other 50cal owners please ask them to contact me at click-here.

This consultation looks at the regulatory framework needed to reduce the
risk of firearms getting into the wrong hands, and imposing appropriate
penalties when they do.

David Blunkett said, "This Government takes the issues and problems
raised... very seriously indeed. This consultation is the first step in a
comprehensive review of our firearms controls and laws."

We are looking for your suggestions, your comments and your ideas as to
whether further legislation is required and what form it should take.

Publication date: 12 May 2004

Closing date: 31 August 2004

The Controls on Firearms consultation is open until 31 August 2004.
Responses can be emailed to:
firearmscontrolsconsultation@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Extract from consultation document:

"We are particularly interested in views on whether any other types of firearms should be moved into the prohibited category. For example, large calibre "materiel destruction" rifles"

As you may gather from the paragraph above, the Home Office has started a consultation process with the aim of radically reviewing all aspect of legal gun ownership. This will not only affect 50cal owners, but also long barreled pistol owners and even .22 semi-automatic rifle owners.

The executive committee posts were announced to the prospective FCSA membership in attendance, these being Chris Stevenson as Chairman, John Masefield as both Secretary and Treasurer and Pete Shaw as President.

CS explained to the group the reasons why we had decided to formalise the FCSA (UK) and seek Home Office approval, NRA affiliation, obtain Insurance and range licenses. These being:

1. To improve communication between UK 50cal owners and possibly manufacturers, promote the fact that we are not alone!

3. To assist individual members in the formulation of individual responses, ensuring that 'nothing is left out' and that responses are in a valid format - we only have until August 31st!

4. Promote the competitive element of 50cal target shooting and formalise competition events.

5. To promote other large calibre competition events, such as .338 Lapua and .408, i.e. anything that might be under threat.

John Masefield explained the individual costs associated with setting up a Home Office approved club and established that we would need a minimum of £500 and 10 members to start with, we are hoping to attract at least 40 owners of 50cal rifles and even more associate members. Range fees are not cheap so any surplus would be used to contribute towards range fees and possibly used by the club officials in promoting and defending our sport when necessary, i.e. attending Home Office organised meetings etc.

The idea of obtaining a 50cal 'club gun' and club FAC was also discussed and agreed.

Tom Charnock has provided the committee with a list of 50cal owners who are not yet on this e-mail distribution, they will be contacted this week.

It was agreed that membership costs should initially be set at £50 for full membership or £30 for associate membership. This should get the ball rolling and help prevent the more generous individuals from being too out-of-pocket.

Please contact John Masefield john@jmprods.freeserve.co.uk for a membership pack, we are looking at getting membership applications in and processed by the 1st July so you need to be quick.

This news page was last updated Monday, 10 March 2008