SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 3 President's Message 2016… Here one day, gone the next I'm sure you'll agree this year went in a flash so what were the projects that kept the pressure on… • The National Firearms Agreement (NFA) has been a year-long priority with countless meetings. • Two Town Planner firms were briefed to advise the Board on new Range Development Applications (DA's). • The Firearms Registry is going digital and asked for our input. • The Shot Expo broke all previous records. • Also, I volunteered to relaunch the exclusive $25 SSAA Member Firearms Insurance program. The National Firearms Agreement (NFA) At the time of writing the NFA is frozen in Canberra after NSW Deputy Premier and Police Minister, Troy Grant, took up the cause for shooters. Troy argued strongly that nothing needed to change with the NFA because there are NO facts, data or statistics to justify change. The only other Politician that took up the NFA cause for NSW shooters in Canberra was NSW Senator, David Leyonhjelm. But you know as well as I do that when it comes to the next state election the invisible Politicians and Parties will be claiming what a wonderful NFA fight they put up and give money please. Been there, seen that!!!! SSAA National President, Geoff Jones, attended many NFA meetings in Canberra and made it clear to me that the Government was playing it close to their chest and they are very worried about a shooter backlash. The Turnbull Government, with its almost non- existent majority, should be worried. Throughout the year I had many meetings with the Firearms Registry putting our case forward. Finally, I attended a meeting at the Justice Department who were formulating a brief for the Police Minister to take to the Canberra NFA meeting. SSAA NSW continues to strongly argue that there is NO case for change, NO evidence, NO facts and NO statistics. SSAA NSW does not support re-categorisation of the Adler A110 shotgun, or re-categorisation of any firearms if it results in further restricting access. In early November, SSAA NSW ran newspaper ads across the state congratulating Police Minister, Troy Grant, for taking up a pro- shooter position. However, in the end it will be a case of… don't let the truth get in the way of a good political fix. New Ranges Unfortunately, Armidale Branch lost its application for a Council DA. SSAA NSW has now taken over the process and appointed a local firm of Town Planners to review the situation regarding a new application and this is now work in progress. Also, the Local Council was sacked due to the recent Council mergers. In Dubbo the DA application to Council is progressing and there will be more next year on this exciting new SSAA NSW Range. Also, a couple of smaller ranges should be coming on-line and I will keep you posted. The BIG lesson is this…to open a new range these days you need the professional and expensive help of Lawyers, Town Planners and Architects…the days of a Branch doing it alone seem to be over. The Registry goes Digital The State Government has allocated funds for the NSW Firearms Registry to go digital. In the future, pretty much everything from licence renewals to attendance recording will be done on-line. Di Melham and I are working with the Registry IT experts, other sporting groups and industry stakeholders to make sure the new system will be customer friendly. All-new promotion for the $25 SSAA Members Firearms Insurance. Mid-year I volunteered to relaunch the exclusive $25 SSAA Members Firearms Insurance. This member benefit is exclusive to SSAA members and has other clubs and groups asking how we do it. Simple, SSAA is Australia's peak shooting body with a massive 180,000 members. This means we have great buying power. Now, our exclusive insurance offer is called the SSAA Members Firearms Insurance and the new ads are working well with over 3,200 members signing up for cover in October. Don't miss out, this is the best cover for your firearms and fixed accessories. Call 02 8805 3900 for more information. 2016 SHOT Expo. What a rush! Wow, with over 15,000 visitors it broke all the previous records. Exhibitors sold heaps of great stuff and I believe everyone had a great time. At one stage the staff on one SSAA NSW stand were forced in the passageway due to the push of the crowds wanting to see everything they had on display. We signed up heaps of new members and did endless R-Licence tests. Next year, the SHOT Expo will be in Melbourne. Victorian President, Denis Maroney, says they'll beat our record. So, in 2018 when it's back in Sydney I'm aiming for 20,000 visitors…we'll show 'em again how to do it. Just a couple of other things. If you visit Lithgow please take the time to visit the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum. It's world-class and a must for every sporting shooter. Also guys, make sure you get your Prostate checked by your Doctor. Prostate Cancer is treatable if caught early. I had the operation this year and was back on deck in no time. Please be sure to have a PSA test soon. As always, Senior Vice President, Mark Godwin and Junior Vice President, Rob Austin, have been supportive allies along with our Executive Director, Di Melham. Together with Board members Dave Billinghurst, Warren Brown, Craig Hopkins, Lance Miller, Ben Smith and Scott Wagner we are a strong, united team. I am proud of our Board, the camaraderie and dedication to make SSAA NSW the premier SSAA State. I wish you and your family a happy and wonderful Christmas season and a very Happy New Year. Seeya at the range, Paul McNabb President - SSAA (NSW) Inc. Senior Vice President SSAA National

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