I have just rejoined the BASC after leaving a couple of years ago having been a member for 6 years. The reason, I was not happy (at the time) with the advice or help I felt I should have had when my Firearms were seized.
However, looking back on it now, with my sensible head on, there really was not a lot they could do at the time until there was a case to fight or a reason to get involved. The Police were doing their job and seized my Firearms, I had done nothing wrong (as the eventual return of them showed) but at the time of course I could not see that. I had lost my Firearms, just before the start of the season, I am a part time Gamekeeper so no guns at the most important time of the year was a grim prospect to say the least. The people who I thought should be doing something, were not. Could the advice and help been better, well yes, or at least the feeling that they were on my side would have helped, but circumstances at the time due to illness in their Firearm section meant I got a fragmented service, not helpful at the time but unavoidable. I put in a complaint and it was addressed, but at this point I had done all the Donkey work getting my case reviewed and a decision made, I had already made my mind up that the BASC were dirt and I would vote with my feet and leave them, so I did. I became very scathing of the BASC at every opportunity, here and on other forums, but now having looked back I was being a little unfair.
It was a traumatic experience and yes I did throw my toys out of the pram, but as I say (in my case anyway) nothing could be done until a decision had been made to remove my Licence, at that point, if warranted, I am sure the BASC would have fought my corner. I over reacted, as I guess most would do under the circumstances, my expectations of the help I wanted (the BASC bashing down doors to get my guns back asap) and the reality of the help I was due (dealing with a case when there was one) were far apart.
I was happy being a BASC member for 6 years, had a couple of range days, did my DSC1 through them. So I have rejoined and I am happy I have, its not all about cheap insurance, fighting to keep my very rewarding Hobby is as important and I feel the BASC are doing the best job so I want to support that.
