Winter 2002 - National Rifle Association

DISCIPLINEAND REGIONEGIONALAL MATTERSClassic Armsfrom Rae WillsThe Jubilee Historic Arms Meeting already seems adistant memory, which I hope was enjoyed by all.About 200 competitors (about the same as last year)took part, and gained the best of the weather beforethe rain came for the rest of the Imperial Meeting. Thenumber of actual competitions entered was noticeablydown, but the recently introduced SR(b) and the new7.62mm classes attracted 50 entries and did much tocounter what might have been a far worse outcome.These new classes appear to have great potential; thereare many regularly used around the country and, asnews spreads, hopefully more will enter. There is apossibility that a dedicated through-the-ranges (200,500/600) shoot for these rifles might be arranged at asuitable off season time.On a wider front, close interest is being taken indevelopments in European firearms legislation. Thereare frequent attempts to promote a common regimeacross the EEC. Often, this seems to become anattempt to apply across Europe the most draconianregime currently in force.Recently it was reported that the DortmundWaffenborse, one of the most prestigious Arms Fairsin Europe, was cancelled at short notice. This wascaused by the police failing to issue the required permitunder a 1938 regulation. There have been moves toapply an age limit in relation to access to arms. In thiscase the police decided that an age limit was notappropriate for the show, but no young people shouldbe allowed to see the arms at the fair, although it isopen only to edged weapons and antiques! The permitfor a replacement show at Rheindorf was withdrawnafter media pressure.Currently it seems Arms Fairs are in effect banned inGermany at the present time. The police admit this isa political decision; there was no impact on criminalactivities or law and order.Bisley is the venue of many events arranged by otherorganisations, and on 14 September delegates of theInternational Congress on Heritage Arms came for asession on the ranges and lectures as part of a threeday tour that included visits to military museums andthe Kynamco ammunition works.The members came from Britain and Europe. The chiefobjective was to promote the study of Heritage Arms,and in particular to alert Museum Directors (who areoften unaware of the normal dialogue of the shootingworld) to the need to be aware of proposed legislation.In the past they have found out too late aboutregulations that adversely affect their collections.My highlights of the day at Bisley were discussionson the range between Guy AR West, with his Dreyseneedle fire carbine, and Jean Mallet of Belgium, bothleading experts on early European cartridge rifles, plusPaul Debrunfaut of the Royal Army Museum,Brussels, describing his work with military sciencestudents evaluating historic arms with modernballistic equipment and the use of re-enactment groupsto study how the arms were actually used in action.On 21 September a group of staff from the ImperialHistoric Arms and Trafalgar Meetings entertained 24Air Cadets and their officers to a day on Siberiaexperiencing a wonderful array of arms fromMatchlocks to F Class. This was a chance to say thankyou to an organisation which regularly supplies themost excellent markers to our meetings, and to letthem see things from the other end. They were a verywell behaved and disciplined bunch of young boysand girls, an absolute credit to their squadron.My thanks to all who contributed arms, time andammunition to this worthy cause, not forgetting theCadets Q department for the hot dogs and burgers.We design & fit-out offices, commercial interiors, car showrooms & lots more.Give Tim Webster a call!11