Sport shooting for all ages

The recent discussions in Parliament regarding the Arms Bill and especially the debates on the use of arms by young children in target sport shooting shows how ill-informed are our politicians on the subject. I am sure that 99 per cent of them have never watched a shooting competition in a shooting range and yet they dare force their misguided opinions down our throats in the form of inappropriate legislation. The insular mentality of our island has probably kept them from seeing what has been happening abroad in this highly popular sport.

In practically all countries around the world the only age related restriction to use an airgun or a smallbore rifle to practise these Olympic shooting disciplines in a shooting range is that the child has to be old enough to be able to lift the weight of the gun without damaging his spine.

Also it takes approximately 15 years to peak in this sport, so it is imperative to start them as young as possible. Of course, all shooters in a range are always in the company of a coach or a range officer where any misbehaviour is not tolerated. Moreover, all clubs have screening procedures for new members and club rules have to be respected by all the members.

Target shooting in ranges is a very safe sport (practically safer than golf) where young people will readily learn the few basic rules like they do when learning other sports. It imparts self-discipline, respect for the sports gun, self control, concentration, stress and emotional control and, in order to enhance good shooting, they also avoid the use of alcohol, drugs and cigarette smoking.

Additional exercise like jogging, swimming and cycling would further enhance their shooting capabilities by toning their bodies and lowering their heart rates.

These learned techniques in shooting can then be also applied during their studies and later on in their working and civil life. As one can see this is what our children really need, as well as helping to lower the alarming child obesity rates prevalent in Malta!

In many schools and sport centres more emphasis is made on team sports and because of this many students shy away from physical activity because they hate such "contact sports" where their thinking is that they can easily become injured or of letting their team down or that they are not good enough for the team. Shooting is one of the options to get these children exercising and away from long hours in front of TV or computer screens which are doing irreparable mental and physical damage to our future generation.

I am sure that at least our politicians have enough common sense to know that any unnecessary or stupid restrictions would give rise to abuse and, as we try to legislate on every tiny detail, enforcement is not always complementary in this country.