Follow the French example
I refer to Parting Shots in the October edition of Sporting Gun in which you and Robin Scott gave opposing views about being a member of a shooting organisation. Quite simply, he is right and you are wrong.
Here in France, licences are issued annually on behalf of the government by the various shooting organisations, be they clay, game, target and so on. The system is very efficient and ensures that all shooters are represented, insured and correctly and legally licensed for the appropriate type of firearm with which they wish to shoot.
It is also a legal requirement in France that shooters have an annual medical. This is carried out by a GP and without fuss. Shooters have a legal obligation to have a check-up and doctors have a legal obligation to provide the service, all at the very reasonable sum of €25 (around £23). Try suggesting that to the British Medical Association.
In France, compulsory membership of a shooting association ensures that shooters are well represented and have considerable lobbying power at all levels, from local council right up to the national government. A consequence of this is better thoughtout and more logical laws, and consistent licensing systems. Compare this with Britain, where there is a hotchpotch of laws, 40 or more constabularies, many of which interpret the law differently, and while some of our shooting associations do a very good job of lobbying and sticking up for members, others are more keen to defend only their own little patch of turf, and to heck with the rest of you.
Given all of this, it is no wonder it can take many months for a firearms licence or shotgun permit to be granted. We should all belong to an association, and if compulsory membership is the only way to achieve this, so be it. Paul Fievez, Normandy, France