What does the North want?

[Rburro2]

Forget Scotland, they'll be going their own way soon and will have all of their guns removed anyway. So if the most northerly part of the UK is to be Newcastle how about sticking a new range in the Midlands, then everyone's happy :flag5:

Id Second this one the midlands isnt a bad location for a range still a bit of a distance for the Geordies but doable we travel down to Bisley once a month stop the night and shoot the Csr match the next day. Its a fair way though 165 odd miles

[Rburro2]

There are a total of 7402 NRA Individual Members these are the statistics from a post on another forum and 135000 Basc memebers
quite shocking dont you think

[ovenpaa]

Not so shocking.

There are many more in NRA affiliated clubs who have no direct need or desire to take their target shooting to a higher level or do not wish to go to Bisley. The Bisley side is important as to shoot as an individual you need to be an NRA member. There are also clubs that routinely shoot at Bisley so again, no need for the members to join the NRA direct unless they wish to show solidarity or directly support the NRA.

What would be interesting is to know the head count for NRA affiliated club members.

BASC membership is aimed at a significantly different sector of the shooting fraternity and indeed, many members will not be shooters and certainly a significant number will have no interest in target shooting.

[John MH]

There are about 7402 Individual NRA Members and Circa 135,000 BASC Individual Members.

[Watcher]

In terms of range space I don't think the North needs anything (at least as long as there are MoD ranges and we can use them). If I compare my home range of Altcar with Bisley I actually think the former is better from a pure shooting perspective. What it doesn't have are the ancillary things like accommodation, the clubs, shops etc. But I don't think the issue is physical; its mental. All I would want to see is a clear understanding that the NRA isn't just Bisley and Bisley isn't the NRA. I think the new Journal goes some way towards this; the old one was very much 'what's happening at Bisley'. Its hard to be precise about exactly what would demonstrate this attitude but its what I'll always be looking for.

[Erika]

All I want is some powerful political representation standing up for us regardless of where I shoot.

Personally I don't want to see the NRA getting too political - I'd like to see the NRA continue to support target shooters, and the BASC continue to support sporting shooters...but for them both (and any other shooting organisations) to get their heads together and help form a separate organization that would represent all shooters politically and in the media...

Alongside being a great sporting organisation BASC is principally a lobbying organisation and although some have questioned BASC's effectiveness it can be argued that we would be in a much dire position if it was not for their lobbying and work with politicians, of all parties. So why would you not the NRA to take up a similar position and lobby in support of target shooters (although BASC lobby for target shooters too and not just game shots)?

Forming a separate organisation which would present a united front for shooting has in my experience been dreamed about by meaning, and it is this persistent view of some; including myself which lead to the formation of Firearms UK almost a year ago, but the truth is that establishing a united front to defend shooting is far from an easy task, and to an extent, certainly politically you could argue the British Shooting Sports Council already fulfill this role.

[Erika]

This...well there is no money...I can't do anything...attitude is just zzzzom

100% agree, a lot can be done with little money, even no money; when their is people willing to lend a hand and actually get stuck into the task.

[Chapuis]

There are a total of 7402 NRA Individual Members these are the statistics from a post on another forum and 135000 Basc memebers
quite shocking dont you think

How accurate are these figures? I heard that the number of individual NRA members was actually less than that at just over 5,000 to which I was quite surprised. I have also heard that the BASC figure may not be quite so high due to an exodus of some members to other organisations such as the NGO, but is still significantly higher than the NRA. I also was told that the British Deer Society has more individual members than the NRA. Just out of interest does anyone have confirmed accurate membership figures.

[Demonic69]

I'd like something organised for the north, either by the NRA or at least in conjunction with a range more accessible to the upper 70% of the country. The NRA, to me, seems like yet another London boys club, even though I know membership would grant me the same benefits.
I can't justify spending an entire day travelling when there are ranges do much closer, but they cost money too, money that could go to the NRA if they had events I could attend.
I understand there are plenty more benefits than just Bisley, but it's just another cost in an already costly sport.

[Dougan]

So why would you not the NRA to take up a similar position and lobby in support of target shooters (although BASC lobby for target shooters too and not just game shots)?

Because I'd rather the NRA concentrate on their main task right now (bearing in mind previous performance), which is promoting target shooting...though don't forget that one of the benefits if membership is legal advice and help with firearm related issues.

I'm not going to object to them doing what they can though, and was pleased to see the Daily Telegraph petition on the NRA homepage...something that some of their critics may not have realised...