COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE

National Shooting Week launches with a bang

National Shooting Week (NSW) runs from 25 May to 2 June this year, offering a taste of the Olympic sports of clay pigeon and target shooting to the public at a special discounted price.

More than 70 shooting grounds around the country have signed up to take part in NSW, which last year saw hundreds of new people try the sport.

Olympic double trap gold medallist Peter Wilson launched NSW (on Friday 17 May) at his local shooting school, Southern Counties Shooting Centre, near Dorchester, Dorset, where he has trained for many years.

Concerns over Legal Aid - help reject potential "two-tier legal system"

It has come to the attention of the Countryside Alliance that the Ministry of Justice is currently reviewing the system in which Legal Aid is administered. The Countryside Alliance is concerned that this could have grave implications for those who work in the countryside and are urging members and supporters to help ensure that these proposals are not accepted in their present form to ensure that, should the need arise, those needing legal aid are represented by those with a thorough knowledge of firearms and countryside law.

EC Consultation – Respond to Prevent Restrictions on Shooting

The European Commission has recently launched a public consolation with the intention of tackling gun crime within the EU. The Commission’s main objective with this consultation “on a common approach to reducing the harm caused by criminal use of firearms in the EU” is to obtain the public’s opinion on whether the EU should introduce more restrictive rules on the legal acquisition and possession of civilian firearms.

HMRC - RTI and beaters - Update

The issue of RTI has caused confusion for many shoot owners and managers. The Countryside Alliance has been investigating this issue and seeking the advice of professionals and working directly with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
HMRC are now aware of the issues the new system could cause with shoots. The subject is continually evolving but below is the latest guidance available at the time of writing. Please monitor the Countryside Alliance and HMRC websites for future updates.

Help report deer collisions on our roads

Shooting Times reports: A free smartphone app has been launched which will help to map deer casualties throughout Britain.

Mashomack Clay Day, New York

Set amidst the glorious scenery of upstate New York 58 guns took part in our sporting clays competition at Mashomack Fish & Game Preserve on Saturday, 11th May.

Sports Minister backs National Shooting Week

National Shooting Week will run from 25th May- 2nd June. The popular annual event has received Government support, with Sports Minister Hugh Robertson commenting "We want to encourage more young people to get involved in sport as a legacy from London 2012. Shooting is in a great position to capitalise on the gold medal success of Peter Wilson last summer and National Shooting Week will further shine a spotlight on the sport and encourage the next generation of shooters to get involved.”

Barney White-Spunner urges shooters to tell Europe their views

Countryside Alliance Executive Chairman Barney White-Spunner writes: Yet again shooting has come to the attention of Brussels. Not content with a possible ban of lead ammunition, the European Commission is now becoming increasingly concerned about gun crime. In a bid to reduce the amount of gun crime across Europe, the Commission is currently asking the public if they feel the need for increased gun controls across the continent. 

Concerns over Dangerous Dogs legislation

The Countryside Alliance has asked the government to limit the information available to be searched on the national databases of micro chipped dogs, to avoid it being used by dog thieves. Under new dangerous dogs legislation, from April 2016 all dogs in the UK need to be micro chipped and their owners’ details recorded. In response to a Government inquiry into the Dangerous Dogs (Amendment) Bill, the Countryside Alliance has expressed concern as to who will have access to the information held about micro chipped dogs.