Shooting show defends children’s free tickets

Protesters accused of bullying organisers after claiming event promotes ‘killing for fun’ to under-15s

ANIMAL rights protesters have been accused of “bullying” a shooting show after demanding it be cancelled for offering children free access.

Activists said the Great British Shooting Show at the Birmingham NEC in February, was “promoting” shooting to under-15s. Almost 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for the event, which showcases shooting, game and conservation, to be scrapped.

Jen Nolan, who set up the petition, said: “The show is inviting children 15 years and under in free, teaching them that it’s OK to shoot, hunt and kill innocent animals for fun, which is unacceptable when society is trying to encourage compassion and care for the planet and its inhabitants during the environmental crisis we are in.

“I want them [the NEC] to cancel it because it’s time to oppose this outdated hobby of shooting and hunting wild animals for fun in the UK, and ban blood sports once and for all.”

Shooting and countryside organisations accused activists of using concern for children to get shooting banned.

Dr Connor O’gorman, head of policy and campaigns at the British Association of Shooting and Conservation, which is exhibiting at the event, said: “The best way people can prevent animal rights extremism is by supporting these events. Animal rights extremists are using online petitions to bully and harass people.

“They have no interest in anything but their own voice and being outraged about whatever the latest issue is. This is a growing problem in society driven by social media, and they will keep going until everything is banned.”

Steve Morgan, head of publicity for the Great British Shooting Show, said the petition writer had “manipulated” the facts, as children are not allowed in without a responsible adult.

He added: “We have done that to take the financial sting out of visits to shows for families. They are trying to make us look irresponsible. They paint a picture that children can freely come to the show, and buy a gun or a knife but that’s not true.

“The other good thing is that young people can get guidance from parents, and learn how to do it safely and responsibly. If they become game shooters in the future, they can learn about the conservation practices that underpin the whole thing.”

But Elisa Allen, director of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), said: “It’s up to society to draw children away from a fascination with violence – not encourage it, which is what this show shamefully does.

“Peta encourages compassionate locals, parents, and children to demand that the NEC cancel this cruel and twisted event.” Earlier this year, the show was banned from Liverpool after protesters said that trophy hunters were due to exhibit. City councillors, the mayor and MPS were contacted about the event by Eduardo Goncalves, who runs the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting.

The council said it was in “complete opposition to any form of hunting live animals with hounds or shooting live game, in the UK or overseas” and called the show “barbaric”.

The Birmingham show will not include stalls from trophy hunters, its organisers have confirmed.