Robin Scott, former Sporting Gun editor-at-large

I don’t usually believe people should be forced to join an organisation but maybe now it’s time it happened. Attacks on shooting are becoming increasingly frequent, sophisticated and varied. Fighting our corner soaks up money that could be better spent elsewhere. The extra cash would promote shooting to a wider public, boost conservation research and help clubs to acquire land and create reserves.

It would also address an imbalance whereby too many non-affiliated shooters benefit from the work funded by those of us paying membership fees. There are around 600,000 shotgun certificate holders in Britain but only 200,000 (if that) dip into their pockets for a subscription. Were it not for the committed shooters who fork out annually for membership to two or more bodies, the likes of BASC, the NGO, the CPSA and the GWCT would struggle to provide the excellent service that we have come to expect.

It’s simply not fair that so many gun owners in the UK can enjoy their sport without having paid a penny towards its protection and promotion.

Insurance, including public liability cover, come as standard with membership to one of the representative bodies, so how many people out there are shooting without it? To do so is verging on the criminal. Maybe we’ve turned a blind eye for too long and it’s now time we put a stop to it.