15 August 2000

Firearms Control Bill

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen

Thank you for this opportunity, to submit our association’s comments regarding the Firearms Control Bill

We are a keen National Sports Association and are concerned that the new regulations might negatively impact on our Association and its member’s enjoyment of their sport or hobby and possibly their future lifestyle.

Airgun Shooting finds its origin back in the 16th Century.

Here in South Africa, our earliest records are from the late 19th century and as a team event early 20th century, several trophies are still existing from the Natal and Transvaal Air Rifle Association, and one of them is on display at Gold Reef City Sport Museum.

After World War II, when the Germans’ were forbidden to manufacture guns, they started to concentrate on building good airguns, and still today they are the leaders in this field, 95% of all the competition airguns are made in Germany.

Our Sport, 10m target Shooting, is been practice by young and old, men and women, top athletes and disabled person’s from the wheelchair. We offer our members competition at a National, Provincial and at club levels in the following categories:

Seniors men in a, b and c class

Senior Ladies

Veterans

Juniors Male and Female in the following age groups under 20 and under 16

NON-OLYMPIC EVENTS:

Junior’s Male and Female in the following age groups

Under 14 in the standing position with rifle support

Under 12 in the sitting position with bench rest support.

From the wheelchair in the standing position (class SH1).

With a rifle support and assistant to load the gun (Class SH2).

Internationally, airgun shooting has the most entries at World Cup’s, approximately 65% of all competitors take part in airgun competitions. Unfortunately this is not the case here in South Africa. Here we are the smallest of all Shooting Associations, but our standards are high. Does the change in gun laws in 1980 have anything to do with it? We think!!! Yes

Our Development program is based on the American Jaycees program, (see Annexure A), unfortunately we don’t have the same success as them, because when we organize development and introduction courses, for newcomers, the majority of them do not possess a airgun, we need to borrow licensed airguns from our members.

Airguns are been manufactured in the following calibers: 4,4mm; 4,5mm(better known as the NR 1 or .177); 5,0mm; 5,5mm; 5,56mm(better known as the NR 2 or .22); 6,35mm and 9mm.

They operate by means of a spring, C02 gas, compressed air or pre-compressed air. (See Annexure B)

The Muzzle Energy is seldom specified, Muzzle Velocity is more commonly specified by manufacturers.

Air pellets, the ammunition which are been used in airguns, can be from different shapes and weights (See Annexure C).

Spring loaded airguns, can easily been modified, you don’t need to be a gunsmith, the spring can be replaced with a stronger one and conversely an increase of Muzzle Energy and Muzzle Velocity is obtained, while the gun still looks the same.

Some compressed airguns give the same results by pumping a few extra times.

The Muzzle Energy can only be checked with high-tech and costly equipment.

Only Airguns up to 4,5mm caliber (the NR 1)are allowed in our competitions.

Most common airguns fall below the 8 Joules Muzzle Energy specified in the proposed bill, but competition airguns are a borderline case. (In most other countries they are exempted from licensing)

To simplify enforcement it is worth considering excluding all airguns below 5,56mm (better known as the NR 2 or .22) caliber from licencing.

A simple 5,56mm plug all that is required to check the caliber, if it doesn’t go into the breech, then the gun doesn’t need a license, if it goes in, or falls through the barrel, a license would be required.

If the above proposal is not acceptable we kindly request you that consider increasing the Muzzle Energy to 10 Joules. (Muzzle velocity of 200m/s with 0,5g pellet.) all our current match airguns would fall within this limit.

We can see the way forward to a brighter future of our sport in South Africa.

Many participants of the sport of shooting take part in more than one discipline. IE airgun and small bore, with the proposed changes, This would prelude growth and development of our sport, as it would not be possible to purchase different guns of the same type, unless airguns are unlicenced.

We are afraid that this proposed new legislation would limit their freedom to increase their participation in our sport.

Their should be no limitations of the number of firearms one is allowed to own.

Many Thanks

South African Air Rifle Association.

WE WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE A NEW TARGET SHOOTING PROGRAMME FOR SCHOLARS BETWEEN THE AGE OF 12 AND 16 IN SOUTH AFRICA.

SINCE 1980, WHEN AIR RIFLES WERE CLASSIFIED AS FIREARMS, TARGET SHOOTING AS A SPORT HAS HAD A LIMITED OR NO GROWTH IN SOUTH AFRICA, AS PARENTS ARE NO LONGER BUYING AIR RIFLES AS PRESENTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

HOWEVER FOR THE PAST 45 YEARS, THE JAYCEES IN AMERICA HAVE INTRODUCED OVER A MILLION SCHOOLCHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGE OF 8 AND 14 EACH YEAR TO BB GUN SHOOTING, WITHOUT A SINGLE ACCIDENT.

THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE SHOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE A SIMILAR TARGET SHOOTING PROGRAMME, NOW USED IN AMERICA, MEXICO, CANADA, UNITED KINGDOM AND GERMANY, HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

OUR GOAL WILL BE TO EDUCATE 1000 SCHOLARS EACH YEAR IN THE SAFETY AND HANDLING OF GUNS. OUR ASSOCIATION IS NOT FINANCIALLY STRONG ENOUGH TO HANDLE A PROJECT OF THIS SIZE, AND WE ARE THEREFORE LOOKING FOR SPONSORSHIP TO ENABLE US TO INTRODUCE THIS NATIONWIDE, OVER A 5 YEAR PERIOD. WE SHOULD LIKE TO START INITIALLY IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCE, AS THERE ARE MANY SCHOOLS AND BOY SCOUTS ALREADY SHOOTING. ULTIMATELY TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTORS/PARENTS WOULD BE PROPERLY INSTRUCTED BY OUR ASSOCIATION FOR THIS PROGRAMME.

BRIEFLY OUR PLANS ARE AS FOLLOWS :

1st YEAR 250 SCHOLARS - GAUTENG

2nd YEAR 500 SCHOLARS - GAUTENG AND KWAZULU/NATAL

3rd YEAR 750 SCHOLARS - GAUTENG, KWAZULU/NATAL, NORTHWEST PROVINCE

4th YEAR 1000 SCHOLARS - ALL PROVINCES

5th YEAR 1000 SCHOLARS - ALL PROVINCES

A TEAM WILL CONSIST OF 3 SHOOTERS, 1 RESERVE AND 1 MANAGER/COACH (BOYS, GIRLS OR MIXED). EACH PROVINCE WILL BE DIVIDED INTO 5 REGIONS.

THE PROGRAMME WILL CONSIST OF :

I. 3 EDUCATIONAL LESSONS AT SCHOOL OR CLUB

- DAY ONE : SAFETY - SIGHTING - BREATHING - TRIGGER CONTROL - PRACTISE

- DAY TWO: STANDING POSITION - PRACTISE

- DAY THREE : STRETCHING - SHOOTING GAMES - COMPETITION

II. SCHOOL OR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS (TEAMS TO BE SELECTED FOR REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS)

III. REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ( TEAMS COMPETING FOR FIRST 5 PLACES TO GO TO THE PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS)

IV. PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (TEAMS COMPETING FOR FIRST 5 PLACES TO GO TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.)

V. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WE HAVE INSTRUCTORS VIDEOS, AND ALSO TRAINING PROGRAMMES AVAILABLE FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

Jaycees Education Programme :

http://www.daisy.com/education.html