From: "Derek Bernard", [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Actually thinking about that I wonder whether having the MoD involved in
> range approval is a good idea anymore, as they insist on following the
> NATO template that is completely unrelated to most types of target
shooting.
>
> Steve.
>
Absolutely right!
Target shooting is inherently extremely safe, regardless of whether ranges
are required to be "approved" or not. A very large amount of target
shooting/plinking is carried out in North America and most European
countries entirely legally on "ranges" which have not been approved by any
government agency.
Nevertheless, target shooting accidents arising from range deficiencies are
so rare that I completely failed to obtain any worthwhile data from any
country when I made a fairly serious attempt about 10 years ago - and I
contacted various government agencies including the army and the police,
national shooting organisations and insurance industry associations. I am
familiar with the 3 UK accidents involving army and police personnel in the
20 years from about 1970 to 1990, but all 3 were due to gross human error,
not range design shortcomings. The fact that they have been used to
"justify" closing some ranges and requiring major changes to others for
safety reasons, doesn't alter that.
When the odds of an accident due to range deficiencies are already so low as
to be infinitesimal, requiring draconian action on the grounds of reducing
the risks, should be seen for what it is: one of the many mechanisms being
used to destroy sport shooting. I am not claiming that it is all part of a
"conspiracy", although that could be the case; more likely it simply
reflects the fact that widespread fear and deep ignorance about guns and
shooting is now normal.
Alas, there is no known complete cure for mass hysteria (a la the Witch
Mania of 1488 - c.1700), but taking Range Approval out of the hands of
government would be a small, but worthwhile step in the right direction.
Derek Bernard
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