NRA and the Ofensive weapons Bill

[dromia]

Just had the NRA comic through the door the day and in it references to the Offensive weapons bill all it talks about is fighting "the ban on high energy rifles (mainly .50" calibre)".

There has been no reference that I can see about them resisting the MARS/lever release proposals, does this mean that the the NRA are only objecting to the high energy proposal?

[Pinguino]

The government has tabled an amendment to the Bill withdrawing the ban of high muzzle energy rifles (.50” calibre); there is however no progress on MARS / lever release.

NRA members have been instrumental in encouraging 74 MPs to sign the original amendment to stop the prohibition of .50 calibre; your support was a critical factor in persuading the government to reconsider their position.

This is not the end of the threats to law abiding shooters posed by the Bill, and we will need to keep a careful eye on proceedings as it progresses through parliament. Rallying support in the Lords to secure high muzzle energy rifles, press the case to save lever release, and ensure no new damaging amendments creep into the proposed legislation is essential.

So to all NRA members and colleagues in the shooting community – thank you! When we speak with one clear voice even our detractors are forced to listen.



Andrew Mercer

Group Chief Executive & Secretary Genera

[JSC]

In addition to this Bill, everyone including the NRA should be preparing themselves for the consultation on High Energy weapons. There's a chance it will be swept under the carpet but they should be prepared.

[ovenpaa]

Are the .50 calibre rifles Mr Mercer mentions Bisley range legal? I know the MARS and SGC LR type rifles certainly are.

[JSC]

.338 and higher isn't allowed at Bisley for civilians as we can't be trusted not to shoot a plane coming into Farnborough...

[shugie]

.338 and higher isn't allowed at Bisley for civilians as we can't be trusted not to shoot a plane coming into Farnborough...

Or perforate a van on the M3.

[Gazza]

So the NRA fought and won the 50 cal threat very quickly considering there are less than 200 shooters of this calibre yet did bugger all for the MARS/LR shooters?
How come the big turnaround on the 50 which was such a threat to aircraft and vehicles?
Who are these 200 .50 cal shooters that have such power to turn this around?

Makes you wonder

[JSC]

I'm not sure it was solely the NRA which fought and won the battle.
I've seen other shooting organisations inferring they were responsible.
Just because they spoke to the committee doesn't mean they had a positive affect on proceedings.
As always in politics, facts are hard to come by.

[Airbrush]

So the NRA fought and won the 50 cal threat very quickly considering there are less than 200 shooters of this calibre yet did bugger all for the MARS/LR shooters?
How come the big turnaround on the 50 which was such a threat to aircraft and vehicles?
Who are these 200 .50 cal shooters that have such power to turn this around?

Makes you wonder

No shooting organisation had any thing to do with with it, make no mistake it's only due to Brexit that the .50's were saved for the time being.

[Blackstuff]

So the NRA fought and won the 50 cal threat very quickly considering there are less than 200 shooters of this calibre yet did bugger all for the MARS/LR shooters?
How come the big turnaround on the 50 which was such a threat to aircraft and vehicles?
Who are these 200 .50 cal shooters that have such power to turn this around?

Makes you wonder

It was the Fifty Calibre Shooting Club that made the difference here, not the NRA. They managed it because they are well funded (lets face it anyone who can afford to shoot a .50cal regularly aren't going to be short of a few bob!) and more importantly well organised. They had a clear goal that all the members backed and assertively pursued. As mentioned the political climate has massively helped as well.

On the other hand there isn't a single organisation to champion MARS/LR guns, even their manufacturers haven't bothered their backsides to try to get people rallied behind them The UKPSA has been working on IPSC to get the LR rifles recognised as a Division, but that process takes time and the rulebook can only be re-written annually (they have been included as a division in the forthcoming 2019 rulebook), how much sway, if any, that will have only time will tell.