Shooters are giving up

[Mike1979]

Hate to say it but ………Told you so!

The petition was a pointless exercise!

Doing something is better then doing nothing...even if the outcome is the same...we can say we tried...but your view is your view and you are most entitled to it mate

The fact is that we are a minority, and unlike most minority groups, the Government and most of the general public have little interest or sympathy for shooting/countryside pursuits etc

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Wondered where you were - thought you had got stuck under the bridge

Why has it made no difference ? It has engaged 150 people in my community - it has opened up the issue to hundreds more of their friends and family
The Inheritance tax U turn was not a 5 minute job

What is wrong with you ? - 99 percent of the time ?

You could see a mile off the petition wasn’t going to make a ’s worth of difference, have you not realised the government wasn’t publicly owned guns banned!?

The sooner you realise that and get your head around it the better!

I’m in my mid 40’s if I’m lucky shooting will see me out, the younger generation are knackered.

I’m far from the only one thinking it.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Doing something is better then doing nothing...even if the outcome is the same...we can say we tried...but your view is your view and you are most entitled to it mate

The fact is that we are a minority, and unlike most minority groups, the Government and most of the general public have little interest or sympathy for shooting/countryside pursuits etc

You you signed a **** pot petition that made 0 difference!

Well done

 

[jall55]

You could see a mile off the petition wasn’t going to make a ’s worth of difference, have you not realised the government wasn’t publicly owned guns banned!?

The sooner you realise that and get your head around it the better!

I’m in my mid 40’s if I’m lucky shooting will see me out, the younger generation are knackered.

I’m far from the only one thinking it.

I feel for someone who just sees negativity in so much of their day - and worse still has to post about it

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I feel for someone who just sees negativity in so much of their day - and worse still has to post about it

No negativity just practicality!

Prepare for the worst and find a plan B

 

[jall55]

No negativity just practicality!

Prepare for the worst and find a plan B

B . O . R . I . N . G

 

[Mike1979]

You you signed a **** pot petition that made 0 difference!

Well done

Thats probably a very honest way of putting it Lee. I still feel that just lying down and taking it is the wrong approach regardless of the outcome...but as a wise man once said "you do you and I ll do me".

Lets see where we are in a years time and we can discuss over a pint

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

B . O . R . I . N . G

Original

Life goes on shooting or no shooting, stalking or no stalking!

Get your head around it , deal with it and find something else to do.

I’ve got a lovely plan B and C that won’t get banned so I’ll take my luck for as long as I can

 

[jall55]

Original

Life goes on shooting or no shooting, stalking or no stalking!

Get your head around it , deal with it and find something else to do.

I’ve got a lovely plan B and C that won’t get banned so I’ll take my luck for as long as I can

I have plenty to do - im worried for you
What would you moan about - oh - bet you would find something

 

[enfieldspares]

I love shooting and will continue to do so for as long as we are allowed to. To my mind if people cant be arsed then they are not passionate enough as there is no way I would give it up unless "forced"...and I really hope that isnt anytime soon.

And just to clarify I most certainly didnt vote Labour

I don't hold that. I used to do lots of things with a passion bit wouldn't cross over the road to do even with it that close. I am still a Life Member of Leicestershire County Cricket Club yet other than England v Australia have little interest in the game now. I used to fly fish but my many rods sit in the attic in their tubes and the reels in their pouches since Thornton Reservoir closed to fishing when the then proprietor Ifor Jones died in 2024. And, thank the Lord, I no longer rebuild my cars as I did in the 1970s with engine rebuilds, replacing clutches, brake pads and all of that. But I still, for now, shoot.

 

[Nickb]

I don't hold that. I used to do lots of things with a passion bit wouldn't cross over the road to do even with it that close. I am still a Life Member of Leicestershire County Cricket Club yet other than England v Australia have little interest in the game now. I used to fly fish but my many rods sit in the attic in their tubes and the reels in their pouches since Thornton Reservoir closed to fishing when the then proprietor Ifor Jones died in 2024. And, thank the Lord, I no longer rebuild my cars as I did in the 1970s with engine rebuilds, replacing clutches, brake pads and all of that. But I still, for now, shoot.

Cricket ...now that is boring

 

[Stevie/P]

Cricket ...now that is boring

And tennis now that is the ultimate boring sport

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I have plenty to do - im worried for you
What would you moan about - oh - bet you would find something

don’t worry about me thats for sure !

 

[newsatten]

Strange thing, a very long time ago I/we formed a Full club as the local club we belonged to decided it wasn’t prudent to keep the full bore section open,
Fast forward years and we now have loads of members from the original club joining us!
And this coming Saturday I start my probation back with the local club again!

Handy for me for retirement as one can shoot pretty much any time one wants to and 5 minutes from my home !
Result,
Obviously I’ll remain a full member of my full bore club,
As for passion I really don’t think I could have supported and enjoyed my shooting any better,
I’m 69 now so it will see me out ,
My daughter likes clays but my sons have zero interest
But the lead band will make things very much worse, as a lot of smaller shoots just won’t be able to get insurance cover because of ricochet problems that are associated with steel,
West Kent comes to mind !
Absolutely no steel!!!

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Why? go back many years and as HO approved clubs we never had “guest” days and never had problems.

Yet again just us as shooters accepting more and more hurdles into the sport.

That’s because we have no choice, it’s ride it out or pack it in!

 

[Lever357]

I think shooters are there own worst enemy. 480k SGC holders and only just over 100K signed the petition.
Friends went to a local clay ground before Christmas and I said see if they mention the petition. They had A4 page on the wall with the link to it but they were not actively mentioning it to people signing in.
The ground owner reckoned he had 5 years once the lead ban comes in - I thought once it was implemented, that was it, no more lead???
A friend who is an NRA area rep in another part of the country has had many conversations with small clubs who think the lead ban doesn't apply to them!!
Why give up just because you need a form filling in by your doctor? And if the doctor charges too much, there are viable alternatives
Don't leave your renewal to the last minute, do it as soon as you get the paperwork and then you won't have to put your firearms in storage.
People complained when the fees went up last year and use that as an excuse - FAC renewal at £131 for five years is only £2.18 per month. A lot spend more than that on a single cup of coffee daily!!
Fortunately, my shooting club has around 110 members annually. Yes, we lose some but we have a waiting list of around 20 to 30 every year so we can make the numbers back up

 

[Bill.Stickers]

Some thoughts:
I don't recognise the doom and gloom merchants arguments. I run a HO approved NRA affiliated club for full and small bore. Guest days are something we don't do or feel the need to do. Many enquiries from our website are just 'momentary enthusiasms' and there's no follow-up by the enquiring person. That said our full-bore club has a waiting list of +30, we cycle probationers through regularly. People come and they go, it's the nature of clubs. We do not see it as our 'duty' to expand gun ownership and I'm definitely against easier access to gun ownership - take a look around your neighbours and think how many of those would cause you to worry had they ready access to arms.
As far as I'm concerned our club's healthier than ever it's been (we've been around since 1960's). We have more full-bore long range shooters than we've had for many a year now and they spend significant sums on firearms and kit. Oh, we're also in one of the most deprived areas of England.
As far as "it's the government that's out to ban us", "Labour are to blame" etc etc. The reality is the general public don't give a damn about us and wouldn't be bothered if we disappear - governments generally do what wins votes. ALL political parties care about votes! Democracy is a bugger isn't it ?

Our best chance of continuing our sport is to be sensible, be measured in our behaviours, support our governing bodies and stop acting like victims

 

[Mike L]

I’m in my mid 40’s if I’m lucky shooting will see me out, the younger generation are knackered.

That bitter at your age is very unhealthy.

 

[Liveonce]

That’s because we have no choice, it’s ride it out or pack it in!

however i was question the statement

Yes the rules on “guest” days with HO approved clubs are strict. And they should be

why should guest days be strict, yes managed by responsible Club officers, but the need to limit how many days and inform the Police of the dates and who the guests are is OTT.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

That bitter at your age is very unhealthy.

Not bitter at all, I’ve had a good life shooting and I will continue for as long as I can enjoy it for as long as I can, would I be bitter if it was banned?

I would be a bit bitter for a few days, I suppose, but once you get your head around it same **** different day, this is the whole reason why I have downsized to 2 guns one rifle one shotgun the writing was on the wall a very long time ago and if those of you want to cling onto the dream so be it but me personally preparations have begun !