SSAA NSW

20 Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. Unauthorised Range Activities As fi rearms owners we need to be constantly aware of our responsibilities and actions, not only as individuals but as a group. Unfortunately, some of the things we do or say can have a negative impact on the sport and our fellow shooters. These include our conduct and the activities we participate in whilst on a range and the sometimes poor choice of content posted on public media sites. When using an approved range, it is extremely important that the conditions of the range approval licence are strictly adhered to at all times. This means either checking with the range captain/manager or reading the conditions yourself so as to clearly identify which calibre, projectiles, targets and shooting activities are permitted. Any shooting matches conducted must be done so in accordance with the approved match rules as listed on the range approval licence. Approval conditions often vary from range to range, so it is important to check what can and what cannot be done at that range. SSAA NSW recently received notice from the Manager of the NSW Police Firearms Registry that one of our Branches had conducted an "inaugural novelty shoot" at an approved target range facility allegedly using targets of human effi gies depicting terrorists and hostages, contrary to the approval at that range. It was also noted that a Branch offi cial had posted details of the event on Facebook. The conduct of a non-approved event or using non- approved targets contrary to range approval conditions brings a number of issues forward: • This conduct puts the approval of that range at risk of cancellation. • This may result in access to the range facility by those involved being denied going forward. • The type of targets used may have the ability to place focus on the violence inherent in "gun culture" seen overseas which is a negative image for our sport. • This effectively voids insurance due to non- compliance. Posting the details of a non-compliant event or activity on public media: • This will attract unwanted attention and bring the Association's integrity into question. • This erodes the hard work and good will of the Association and sport in the eyes of the general public. • These posts are seen and judged by our members, the general public and offi cial eyes (including Police, Greens and other politically motivated persons). A number of recent competition events that have been advertised as "Sniper and Tactical" matches are starting to gain attention for all the wrong reasons. Sounds like fun? You can imagine what it sounds like to the police, politicians, general public and the ever-ready anti-gun lobby. All the hard work and years of promoting a positive public image for the sport stands to be destroyed because some of us appear to be running what is no doubt seen as militia or terrorist training exercises. Before conducting or participating in any event, stop, check the range approval licence and use the approved match rules. Consider the consequences, as we all pay for the poor judgement of others. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE SSAA NSW OFFICE ON 8889 0400 OR BY EMAIL AT admin@nsw.ssaa.org.au POSITIONS AVAILABLE SSAA NSW SSAA NSW SSAA NSW SSAA NSW SSAA NSW MOBILE AIR RIFLE RANGE MOBILE AIR RIFLE RANGE MANAGER & VOLUNTEERS NAGER & VOLUNTEER FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT THE SSAA NSW OFFICE Positions and Range based at the SSAA NSW Office in Sydney PLEASE CONTACT THE SSAA NSW OFFICE PLEASE CONTACT THE SSAA NSW OFFICE ydney ON 8889 0400 OR BY EMAIL AT admin@nsw.ssaa.org.au

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