Beginner's shooting Q&A
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Here we have the answers to some of the questions you have asked about starting shooting.
Q: Must I pay for lessons at a shooting ground or school? A friend with a gun has offered to teach me to shoot over a farmer's fields.
A: A person who does not have a shotgun certificate may use a borrowed gun on private land, but only when in the company of the occupier - not just someone who has permission to shoot there.
Apart from the legalities, this practice also raises important safety and insurance issues. It is also important you should not learn to shoot on live quarry. Sporting Gun, and the leading shooting associations, all recommend proper lessons in a safe environment.
Q: When I have had a few lessons, how soon before I am allowed to borrow a club gun and go solo around the ground's layouts?
A: There are no legal issues here, as long as the ground is properly registered with the police. It's all down to the rules of the ground. Our guess is that pretty much all grounds would prefer you to go round with an experienced shooter until you get your own shotgun certificate.
Q: I have heard that a 12-bore shotgun generates a really powerful recoil that can hurt your shoulder. Is this true?
A: At your first lesson you might get a little bruising. This is usually caused by not mounting the gun properly to your shoulder, adopting the wrong stance, or wearing unsuitable clothing. It usually doesn't hurt at the time - you just notice it in the shower, later. If the problem persists, there are lots of remedies.
Q: If the police refuse to grant me a shotgun certificate, is there any appeal procedure I can follow?
A: Refusals to grant or renew shotgun certificates can always be challenged in court. People making such appeals are advised to employ specialist solicitors, and advice can be gained from the main shooting associations.
Q: What is the law concerning carrying guns in the street - say when I am walking to and from my car, or taking my gun to a gunsmith for repair?
A: Guns (obviously not loaded) must be carried in a container, while within which they cannot be loaded or fired. A gun slip, or carrying case, available from any gun shop, fits the bill. So does a sealed cardboard box, such as that in which a new gun may have been supplied.
Q: What if a dealer sells me a duff gun? What are my rights in law?
A: Standards in the UK gun trade are very high, so this is unlikely. However, in this aspect of law guns are no different to any other consumer items. The dealer must either fix the problem within a reasonable time, offer you another gun of equal value, or give you your money back.
Q: What if I see just the gun I am looking for advertised by a dealer whose shop is many miles from my home? Can the gun be sent to me?
A: By law, all gun transactions have to be made face-to-face between the buyer and the seller. In cases like this, the only way to avoid a long round trip is to get the seller to send the gun to a registered dealer in your area. If you do this, expect to pay a handling charge to your local dealer, plus carriage costs on the gun.
Q: I have heard the term 'shooting etiquette'. What does it mean?
A: A whole book could be written on this subject. Briefly, it means observation of the accepted rules and customs, and includes everything from strict observance of the safety code at all times to not turning up at a posh game shoot dressed like a 1960s hippie. If you remember that, while out with your gun, you are an ambassador for all that is good in the shooting sports, you won't go far wrong.
Q: I would like to try all the different clay disciplines, but I wonder if my gun will be suitable?
A: The most adaptable gun for any newcomer is a sporter - in other words, one designed for the English Sporting discipline. With a sporter you can tackle sporting and skeet, and most are also highly suitable for fieldshooting. You can also shoot the trap disciplines with a sporter, but not brilliantly. If you want to shoot trap seriously, get a specialist trap gun - but don't expect it to be suitable for anything else.
Q: What are the regulations regarding buying cartridges?
A: Before you are issued with your shotgun certificate you may buy cartridges on a properly-registered shooting ground, but they are for use only on the ground and may not be taken away. Usually, your instructor will take charge of the cartridges you have paid for.
Once you have a certificate you may buy cartridges where you like, but you must produce your certificate for examination whenever you make a purchase. You have to make the purchases personally - you can't give your certificate to a friend to pick up your cartridges for you.
You don't need any equipment to start shooting
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