Our sport must move with the times

With regards to the dismay voiced by many shooters on the subject of our representative bodies embracing the voluntary ban on lead shot,

I feel that many are missing the point.

It seems clear to me that the furore that has erupted among the shooting community, and the reaction to this subject, vindicates those bodies in taking that stance. It is inevitable that lead will be banned.

Times change and we have to move with them.

Had BASC and others not taken this stance then I fear that this in itself would be portrayed as an unwillingness to adapt and would play perfectly into the hands of those who oppose shooting.

Scientific evidence shows that lead is harmful. We cannot get away from this and it is difficult to argue continuing its use now that the spotlight is upon it. Alternatives exist, albeit with some drawbacks, but they are, nonetheless, usable alternatives.

The experience of our friends in countries that have banned lead is that they have successfully adapted. They continue to use their heirloom guns and live quarry is still shot humanely and safely.

It is my view that BASC and its fellow associations have made the right decision in voluntarily adopting the use of non-toxic shot and we as shooters need to stop bickering about it and move on.

We have our opponents and always will. The manner in which we react to these challenges is what displays our sport as an ethical and entirely justifiable pursuit, the product of which, aside from our enjoyment, is delicious and marketable game meat.

Shooting Times continues to give me great pleasure each week. Keep up the good work. Glenn Roberts,

Staffordshire increase in breaches of lead levels. Presumably, lockdown had caused lead levels to increase in the water due to lack of use. This is why it was common practice to fill the kettle for the next morning’s cuppa before retiring to bed.

The Financial Times reported last month that millions of UK residents faced poisoning risks from lead water pipes. However, replacement of the potentially toxic plumbing is complicated by responsibility being shared between utilities and homeowners.

Lead reacts in hard-water areas and can give a protective coating. Some water companies in soft-water areas add