Is BASC membership worth it?

[BenCo]

Hi all, it's coming up to renewal time for my shooting insurance and I've previously used Gunplan at about £30 a year. I'm tempted to use BASC this year, primarily for the insurance that membership brings. At about £80, it's a bit more but I understand there are additional perks. What are people's opinions on membership, are the perks worth it?

Many thanks

 

[stevec]

I know it won't be a popular opinion on here, but fieldsports are facing more challenges than ever before, so I think we all have a responsibility to belong to at least one of the campaigning organisations.

I have also found the BASC legal helpline very helpful in the past, mainly because it is easier to get an answer from them than from my local police firearms department.

Hilux discount comes in handy as well.

 

[Mike L]

Just heading out to get some popcorn

 

[finnbear270]

 

[sikamalc]

There are plenty of other organisations to join. BDS, NGO, CA. Most have various benefits attached to them.

BASC is like marmite, some like it, some do not.
I left years back, I have no intention of returning due to the total lack of care and sympathy after a young shot passed away. Long story, but that was me finished with them.

 

[willie_gunn]

Been with BASC since the early 80's, when doing practical conservation work with them near Machynlleth.

Also with SACS, GWCT and BDS.

Members of the British shooting fraternity say they want to protect their fieldsports and ask for an organisation like the NRA in the US, and then hunt around for the cheapest deal on insurance.

When shooting goes it will be because of general apathy and an unwillingness to fund an organisation fit for the politics of the 21st Century.

If you care for shooting sports, join at least one of the organisations that are fighting to protect them.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

You get insurance, you get free entry into the game show and they do other stuff as well. So just for the first 2 I think it is worth it.
you pays yer money and takes your choice.

 

[finnbear270]

W.A.G.B.I When their office was in Grosvenor house 104 Watergate st, Chester, Been a member since the year dot, Even now, Latest efforts by co operation with other orgs seems lacking in inclusivity for all branches of the the shooting sports.

 

[TonyC]

And when I called yesterday I got a recorded message saying they were closed due to covid 19 !!! Not a lot of help there.

 

[T.eddie]

I use basc and have found them good enough for my needs so far also the fact the Mrs was able tk use the discount for her car just because we live together which I thought was a great result

 

[User00040]

No.

End of thread.

 

[sunndog]

Basc gets a lot of stick on here and other organisations often get suggested.
Which one has "done" the most for uk shooting?

What tangible things or achievements can these organisations point to?
Yes they offer insurance and legal help and such like but the suggestion is they are protecting our sport which to me means protecting against things being banned or tightening restrictions....what are some examples?

 

[Stalker62]

I jumped ship from BASC some years ago and went over to the SGA.

Not an issue for me, as I am not in the market for buying a new car.

 

[paul o']

It all depends if you like plus four's or you like being force on all four's when you need help ! .
One your look fine in at the club and the other will cost you more than expected ??

 

[finnbear270]

I'd be interested in an in depth reply to this bit, ....what are some examples?

 

[jimmy milnes]

Jeez no offence to the OP intended but these basc threads become tiresome.
I'm in basc have been for years
I've always got an answer to any question I've posed "sometimes I've had to leave a VM including my mem no. but someone has always phoned me back"
I was considering leaving around 12 months ago an going stand alone insurance but since the joint initiative thingy an a few other considerations I've decided to stay with them.
You can't please all the people all the time..
So on that principle is it a case of you don't hear of other orgs problems because they're not doing so much ?
Anyway please join at least one org to help us stand strong.
Cheers Jimmy

 

[Cranborne]

They've challenged Wild Justice and that's good enough for me.

 

[sunndog]

What about the insurance they offer do we know of any pay outs and the circumstances around them?

 

[saddler]

The legal costs insurance that they once offered as part of the membership package has been scrapped, from what I was told/read.

Was a member once. Then I challenged them about some legal advice they'd given re. shotgun minimum lengths; as they got it all bass ackwards.
When I pointed this out I was told that they knew what they were doing and I was wrong - even though I typed up my info directly FROM the wording of the Act.
BASC advice would have seen the people taking it as gospel facing criminal charges if discovered/challenged by the police.

A couple of times too, BASC has spoken up on the national stage "...as the voice of the UK shooter" and given an opinion that is contrary to what my own personal take on the topic was....

I get my insurance as a member of the Shooters Rights Assoc. now

 

[finnbear270]

They've challenged Wild Justice and that's good enough for me.

And dodged the bullet with dealings on difficulties with Police diverging from H.O. guidance, & the Police acting like a parliament themselves.