SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 3 • Paintball being removed from registry/firearms – this may assist in changing perceptions and moderate community views? • Something I am particularly interested in is being able to create new training matches which is difficult with the previous Registry's interpretation of the NFA where international affiliations are required for matches to be approved. The theory of community safety as logic to create training matches has been accepted in principle and we will create hunting match rules and present to Registry for what I hope will be approval. This is the win – win model that generally achieves positive results. Deputy Premier John Barilaro attended the public forum and spoke positively and supportively of the shooting sports and firearms ownership. The public forum was very well attended, and I appreciate the strong turnout. Some of the above topics may not get through as there is the unintended consequence theory that is manically applied as a concept moves from idea to reality. In getting change via politicians we have to overcome the desire to retain status quo if they don't have a real understanding of the reform before them. This is why our presentations must be so well researched, they must be factual, they must be clear and easy to understand, they must overcome the unintended consequence fear of the law makers and we need to educate the decision makers to make the passage of reform easier. Diana and her staff have arranged a try shooting day for NSW politicians which is part of this education process necessary to demystify our sport and demonstrate the safety, fun and skill in our sport. The good news is that the event is oversubscribed. Market research is about enabling our organisation to make the best decisions about the important issues that face us all. The project is not finished but initial data is very comprehensive. We are gathering the facts and evidence that will underpin our strategic plan for the next five years. When the research is completed we will begin the strategic planning process in which we intend to include the Board, management, representatives of Branches, hunting, disciplines and membership that have skill and experience in strategic planning. Seeking additional funding is well advanced. This began as a Board project to complete the Armidale "Hardacres" range and manage the expensive road remediation cost to secure a successful DA. The project has continued to grow and develop as we make further enquiries and potentially this will be a significant funding asset to SSAA NSW. SSAA NSW Office staff – how do we help them to help us? The Board and management have many projects on the go at the moment to improve the facilities and benefits for our members. These include: • The relaunch of the SPC program and the ongoing development of all hunting opportunities. • The current development of three ranges, two of which will be capable of international competition for many disciplines. • The introduction and rollout of the communications platform. • The management of the electronic attendance system trial which has provided some issues for the trial Branches and for the SSAA NSW Office. We appreciate your patience. • Feeding the never satisfied media with corrections where necessary, good news stories and always promoting the sport as well as the distinction between LAFO's and criminals. • Lobbying and ongoing regulation and policy reviews. • Managing and supporting our disciplines. • Being available to contribute to any and all committees, forums, working groups and think tanks to contribute to issues affecting firearms ownership and our sport on behalf of our members. • Projects for juniors in shooting and women in shooting. • Engaging with decision makers to demystify and normalise our sport. The best way to help yourself and our sport is to help them. We have 58,000 members so offering solutions along with outlining the problem really helps. If you have an issue to raise it assists greatly if you can also attempt to offer what you believe would be a good solution. In doing so you help clarify the problem, as well as providing a direction for a mutually beneficial solution. Firearms research – finally, I have seen a presentation from a university-based researcher and criminologist who is examining firearms in a factual and honest way. The research will be invaluable to Australian shooting as a factual and non-hysterical body of evidence gathered and researched by professional academia. Where most firearms research starts with an opinion and then works back to provide the researcher's opinionated truth, this research is different and refreshingly professional. The researcher has an arm's length relationship with SSAA National already, so we will monitor this research and hopefully report on and utilise the outcomes in the future. Lance Miller President - SSAA (NSW) Inc.

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