R G A Lewis

(1) CLUBS / ASSOCIATIONS / ORGANISATIONS

Associations, Clubs and Organisations have specific standings in regard to function and position in the shooting world.

IE. A shooting "Club" would be considered to be a group of persons engaged in, a recreational /sporting activity of common interest, normally at local level.

A shooting "Association" would be a controlling body, responsible for the organisation and promotion of the sport on a Provincial or National basis.

A shooting "Organisation" would be a confederation of Provincial or National

bodies of different disciplines, who are responsible for organising and promoting the sport, nationally and internationally. (SASSF)

In the current draft of this Bill, only the terms " Accredited Association and Accredited Organisation" are used, for membership and affidavit requirements. ( 18.2 and 19.3).

The use of these two distinct terms can infer that either term is not used in its broader common context, and that they may in fact, be specific in meaning.

It is unclear as to what these two terms mean, and whether they are inclusive of shooting clubs or other bodies or not.

The term "ORGANISATION" needs to be defined with more clarity, and requires being inclusive of both sporting and hunting groups.

The term "ACCREDITED SHOOTING/HUNTING ORGANISATION" should then be interpreted as a group or body, whose aim is to organise, promote and conduct hunting/shooting sports at either Local, Provincial, National or International level, and in a structured and organised manner, and which meets the Bills interpretation and requirement for "Accreditation" 10.(1).

7. The definition of these terms is important, because it determines the eligibility of individuals to be declared "Accredited Sports/ Hunter persons".

8. The above interpretation would leave no doubt or room for individual misinterpretation, as to who is? and who is not? eligible by virtue of the type of body they belong to.

My written submission is based on my interpretation that certain groups may be excluded by definition and use of the two different terms in this bill.

Many clubs, although affiliated to recognised and accredited associations, also offer well organised, but less formal competition formats. These competitions are base on accepted disciplines and rules, but are designed to be less expensive and more attractive to new shooters. It is therefore important to ensure that the above definitions are inclusive of these bodies.

(2) ADDITIONAL BARRELS

1. Many shooters acquire additional barrels, some because of sporting requirements or because of damage. This then means that the owner of the firearm, now has two licences, for only one usable firearm. (one licence for the new barrel, which is licensed as a full firearm, and one for the original firearm).

2. If the case in question is a handgun, and is going to be licensed for self-defence (This Bill only allows for the possession of one handgun for such purposes) Then the owner is technically in violation of this Bill, by having licences for two handguns .

He would then be obliged to either hand in the original receiver and damaged barrel or the new replacement barrel. In either case he will be left in possession of a non-functioning firearm or part thereof.

3. The necessity to licence replacement barrels separately for an existing firearm of the same calibre has always been problematic and clumsy. When selling the firearm, the purchaser will need to licence two firearms, of which only one may be functional.

4. Also many shooters acquire extra long or specialised sporting/hunting barrels of the same calibre. These also have to be licence separately, but can only be used in one licensed receiver, at a time.

5. It would also mean that a person with two firearms, and who has replacement barrels for each firearm, has in effect four licences, and has now reached his maximum allocated quota for occasional, sports/hunter persons. (four guns).

6. This is unfair, because it now the restricts the choice of hunting equipment, as a result of the four gun limit. IE. If one firearm is a handgun and the other is a shotgun, then he shall be deprived of owning a rife for hunting. In addition, he will be at odds with this Bill, because, as previously stated, he technically has two handguns.

7. It is suggested that additional barrels of the same calibre, be included as an annex to the main licence, and allowance should be made for the relative information to be recorded on the main licence, when the licence application is made for the barrel.

2. GENERAL POINTS ON ORGANISATIONS AND CLUBS DEFINITIONS)

4. ADDITIONAL BARRELS.

5. POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS

6. LICENCES AND COMPETENCY CERT ( WRITTEN SUB P. 4/5)

7. SUMMARY.