USEFUL
INFORMATION

EQUALITY
Target shooting is one of the few sports where men, women and juniors all compete on equal terms. It is not a physical sport so those with physical disabilities need not feel excluded. Even those with less than perfect eyesight can be accommodated and there are now even special targets that allow blind people to shoot using sound waves bouncing back to a special receiver on their rifle, although this is not currently available at the Minehead range.

 

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ?

On first visiting the Club a potential member is given a tour of the facilities together with a safety briefing. No shooting takes place on this first visit. An Application Form is completed giving name, address, date of birth and contact details. A copy of this Form is forwarded to the Firearms Licensing Department of Avon and Somerset Police who carry out a background check to ensure that the applicant is a suitable person to be handling target rifles and air weapons. It should be noted that even minor infringements many years previously may result in an adverse report from the Police.

 

All new shooters undergo a period of minimum 3 months probationary membership. They learn to shoot under the guidance of the Club Instructor and only when it is felt that they are competent do they join the existing shooters on the regular club nights. New shooters need to learn not only the mechanics of shooting but also how to conduct themselves on the range so as not to disturb others who are shooting alongside them.

 

Current firearms licensing law requires any individual who wishes to own their own rimfire rifle to be licensed by way of a firearms certificate (FAC), this allows for the rifle and limited amounts of ammunition to be held at the owners’ home. Anyone wishing to own a rimfire rifle for target shooting will have to demonstrate current membership of a Home Office approved target shooting club.

 

Currently no licence is needed for air guns providing the power of the air gun does not exceed the existing power limits set out by the government. This will be further detailed when attending the club.

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EQUIPMENT

No equipment such as firearms and clothing is required to start, we have an extensive range available for use to give you a chance to try the sport without any financial outlay.

 

COMPETITIONS

The Club encourages all members to take part in Club, local, County and national competitions although it is not compulsory to do so. Competitions are often over several months with a series of rounds and are often time limited. Shooters are arranged in Divisions according to their averages so that they are competing against others of a similar standard.

 

RULES

Rules apply in all competitions which will be explained during the training period.