Shooting back on as COVID lockdown restrictions ease

In a welcome announcement, the Government confirmed that shooters in England can now return to the field to enjoy their sport once again

The Government has given an unequivocal green light for a return to shooting in England.

Responding to a question from Sir Geoffrey Clifton-brown MP, chairman of the All-party Parliamentary Group on Shooting and Conservation, sports minister Nigel Huddleston said: “It is vital that people continue to be active during the COVID-19 outbreak to support their physical and mental health. All outdoor sports and physical activities are now permitted, without time limit, including outdoor shooting.”

The answer was confirmed by Defra minister Victoria Prentis, who said: “The Government has said people can now leave their homes for the purposes of open-air recreation in public open spaces to promote their physical or mental health or emotional well-being. What counts as ‘open-air recreation’ is not defined in the regulations but would include shooting.”

Official confirmation from Government ministers that shooting could restart was widely expected after a senior police officer wrote to forces to tell them not to take action against responsible shooters.

The news was widely welcomed. Christopher Graffius, BASC’S executive director of communications, said: “It should be reassuring for members that Defra, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and the senior police officer for firearms licensing have confirmed that shooting can now take place in England.

“BASC was aware that, even last week, some police forces were still choosing to say that shooting could not take place.

But now we have absolute clarity and there should be no room for misinterpretation of either the Government’s advice or the guidance from the senior police officer responsible for firearms.”

Grassroots shooters were also pleased. Northumberlandbased clay shooter Aoife Gibson was one of many who had been holding off returning to shooting until the situation was clearer. Ms Gibson had been looking forward to her first day pigeon shooting but was forced to put it off due to the lockdown. She told Shooting Times: “I’ve been holding off as I didn’t want to get it wrong and end up putting people at risk or losing my licence. But it is clear now that shooting is back on.”

“Now we have absolute clarity and there should be no room for misinterpretation of the advice”

Cocker

Clumber

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Shooting, along with all other outdoor sports and physical activities, is now permitted