All shooters visiting the Bisley Live show will now be able to shoot centrefire rifles even without a firearms certificate, organisers have announced.
Organisers of the three-day show, being held 30 September to 2 October at the National Shooting Centre, Surrey, have worked with police and the Home Office to offer rifle shooting to everyone under Open Day rules.
Believed to be the first arrangement of its kind at a show, it means newcomers can try out rifle shooting for the first time as well as seasoned shots.
Visitors just need to take photographic ID, sign a Section 21 declaration and pay a one-off £12.50 fee, which covers insurance and National Rifle Association coaches. They will then be covered to shoot not only centrefire rifles but also black powder pistols, gallery rifles and rimfire rifles for the whole day.
They will also need to buy books of tickets covering the costs of ammunition, typically £5 for eight shots .22 and £10 for six shots centrefire.
Anyone holding a current FAC can also shoot expanding ammunition in the calibres listed on their certificate, which must be brought along for verification on the day.
The move has been welcomed by shooting organisations, including the Countryside Alliance’s shoot campaign manager David Taylor, who said: “This is excellent news for shooting sports. This makes Bisley Live an extraordinary event for experienced shots and novice guns alike. Credit must go to the organisers and the local police authorities for arranging this event.”
BASC’s southeast regional director Dan Reynolds added: “Bisley Live will provide visitors with a great opportunity to fire a selection of sporting firearms under one-to-one supervision. As part of their involvement, BASC will be providing one-to-one shotgun coaching on the BASC coaching line.”
Show organiser Roger Marriott, chairman of Westech Exhibitions Limited, said Bisley Live was designed to promote the sport of shooting to the wider public. He added: “No other show in the UK is able to offer visitors the opportunity to try rifle shooting for the first time or for seasoned shooters, the chance to try new rifles, different calibres, and participate in a range of competitions. It also means that exhibiting manufacturers and retailers can offer potential customers hands-on, practical demonstrations.”
Bisley Live will see more than 200 exhibitors from the UK and abroad and a host of attractions includes gundog displays, fashion shows, lectures and numerous shooting competitions.
To book visit www.bisleylive.com or call the ticket hotline on 08445 814950.
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