United in the fight for shooting

Working together when threats loom

When major threats appear, such as the Home Office plan to consult on changes to shotgun licensing rules, many people call for shooting organisations to unite.

They already do. Across the UK and internationally, organisations work together through permanent and temporary partnerships that protect and promote shooting.

International partnerships

One key example is the World Forum on Shooting Activities (WFSA), founded in 1996. It has more than 50 member organisations representing over 100 million shooters worldwide. The WFSA attends major United Nations conferences and runs working groups on issues including debanking and the transport of guns and ammunition.

Many shooters may not know the WFSA by name, but they will recognise one of its key members – the European Federation of Hunting Associations (FACE). Founded in 1977, FACE represents 37 European countries. It has played a crucial role in ensuring EU and international agreements acknowledge the positive contribution of recreational shooting to people and nature.

Right now, a major battle is underway to push back against European Commission proposals to restrict many outdoor uses of lead ammunition. Longer transition periods and practical exemptions are being fought for.

The role of FACE-UK and the BSSC

For several years I served as secretary of FACE-UK, whose members include: BASC, the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC), the Game Farmers Association and the Moorland Association.

The BSSC may be less well known, but it is an umbrella body of 15 organisations working to safeguard firearms ownership, live quarry and target shooting.

Target shooting interests are strongly represented through:
– Clay Pigeon Shooting Association
– Deactivated Weapons Association
– Gun Trade Association
– Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association
– Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain
– National Rifle Association
– National Smallbore Rifle Association
– UK 50 Calibre Shooters Association
– UK Practical Shooting Association
– Vintage Arms Association

The BSSC has coordinated a united response to government on key issues such as lead ammunition restrictions and a possible merger of shotgun and firearms licensing systems.

(See ShootingUK guides: How shotgun licensing works and What lead-free alternatives are available?)

Regional collaboration

Across the UK, strong regional partnerships also exist:

Scotland & Northern Ireland

– Scottish Firearms Practitioners Group
– Northern Ireland Firearms Representative Group

Wales

In Wales, shooting and farming organisations work closely together. This proved invaluable during the Act Now campaign, which opposed plans to ban gamebird releasing. The partnership group Aim to Sustain also played a major role.

Advocacy beyond shooting

Many groups work hard on behalf of shooters, often behind the scenes. Shooting organisations are also active in wider partnerships focused on species management and land management.

Crucially, they also engage with all political parties. All-party groups in Westminster, Holyrood, Cardiff and Stormont allow politicians with a shared interest in shooting and conservation to work together and discuss current issues.

Why unity matters now

It’s easy to forget that organisations – and political parties – are run by people. Talking, finding common ground and agreeing to disagree constructively all matter.

As we face one of the biggest threats to shooting in decades, every shooter has a part to play. Whether you belong to one organisation, several, or none at all, and whatever your political views, now is the time to support the campaign ahead.

Let’s Unite and Fight for Shooting as we confront proposals to change shotgun licensing rules.