Adrian Bowman
Call for private shooting ranges
I am one of the unfortunate souls whose hobby happens to be target shooting. I had worked hard both as a member of the former AAMS (Arms Armour and Militaria Society) and later as a chairman of AACTS (Association of Arms Collectors and Target Shooters) so that the outdated Arms Act of 1939 was changed and civilian target shooting re-introduced.
The law was changed and enthusiasts could apply, after attending a course in weapon handling and safety, for a licence to keep and carry firearms to and from an approved range. The trouble with this is that, to date, the powers that be (the government, Mepa and the police) have not yet given the go-ahead for the licensing of private shooting ranges, though numerous applications have been submitted.
The only two ranges where such a sport can be practised are military ranges at Safi in Malta and Il Qortin in Gozo. Though I heartily thank the Armed Forces of Malta for permitting civilians to shoot on their ranges, some decisions taken recently are, to say the least, bizarre. Of the myriad of calibres on the market only guns shooting 9mm, .357inch and .38inch are allowed on the range at present.
I had purchased and licensed a .22 calibre pistol, at quite an expense, to shoot on the range. This is practically the smallest calibre that is also used in Olympic disciplines. I had made this choice considering the cost of its ammunition and the minimal power it generates, making it one of the safest on the market.
We are allowed only one Saturday a month to practise our hobby/sport and I had enjoyed shooting this gun, getting quite respectable results. Suddenly, for reasons unknown, the AFM decided to ban this diminutive calibre from their ranges. For me this is a gross injustice as I now hold an expensive and licensed gun that I cannot use, though the law says I can. My target shooting has gone up in smoke!
I urge whoever is responsible to issue permits and licences for the setting up of private shooting ranges to respect the law to the letter and issue such permits. If the law refers to licensed shooting ranges, and no such ranges exist due to bureaucratic hindering, then the law is an ass!
Here's hoping this appeal does not fall on deaf ears and we shooting enthusiasts would pursue our hobby under better conditions than at present.
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L.Xerri
Sep 9th 2009, 17:32
Applications for private shooting ranges have been submitted and resubmitted soon after the enactment of the new Arms act of 2005.Yet as of today no permits have been granted.The foot dragging and bureaucratic red tape on this
issue is something to behold . Shooting ranges have and do presently exist on this island,
not to mention the fact that for the last century or so nearly the whole of the Maltese island have been changed to a gigantic shooting range during the hunting season.Yet ,all the proposed private shooting ranges are on private land,mostly in deep quarries or/and designed so as to be extremely safe,more I dare say than existing ranges.So why all these delays?
Is John B Vincenti right when he states ''that there is more than meets the eye''.??
John B.Vincenti
Sep 9th 2009, 10:16
The reasons for the limit or exclusion of certain calibres and shooting slots has left most of us quite bewildered. No real and swallowable explanation has arrived at the ears of most shooters.
Rumour has it that the 0.22LR was banned because people were not picking them up (they are not recyclable like the larger calibres), thus leaving a mess behind them. We have also heard that the 0.45s are too loud ( disturbing residences in Safi and other localities) and more dangerous. How's that for Hogwash? Any ballistic expert worth his salt, would shoot that one down.
The last rumour is that we were shooting so much, that we are filling the backstop sand with too much lead, causing extra work and expense for the AFM to sift and clean the same. I am aware that most clubs have offered "our" services free of charge to rectify such problems, yet our offers have fallen on deaf ears.
That's why, one is forced to suspect that there is more to it than what meets the eye.
John B.Vincenti
Sep 9th 2009, 09:54
Being a Target Shooter, I can directly relate and sympathise with Adrian. Four years have passed since the revised "ACT" was re-introduced. We have been given the provision to practice our sport yet denied the facilities to do so.
There are many reasons why a particular activity takes off, grows. stagnates or is still-born. We have the main players: Politicians and the lobbyists (for and against) who make good use of the media to promote or kill the activity.
Irrespective if the activity is politically correct or not, the notorious and inefficeint process of any governement department or body in getting the required permits will test the most patient of people.
One is lead to believe that most don't even want to play, unless it directly effects their chances of improving there working conditions or getting re-elected. It is a open secret, that any government institution ( Blue or Red) is there to break your spirit and any notions you may have had for a new idea or activity.
Individuals with selfish and personal agendas also contribute to this impasse.
I believe that most problems can be tackled and solved if there is competence and good will by all concerned.