New Members:
We welcome all newcomers, whether they have previous experience of our branch of target shooting or are complete novices.
The Club takes safety very seriously ensuring that its requirements are paramount. However, we also wish to encourage all members to develop their shooting so as to maximise their own enjoyment of the sport.
New members are required to undertake the Club’s Induction programme. This deals with safety issues, club etiquette and the rudiments of the shooting process. It is led by two qualified instructors, often supported by others, if necessary. Typically, for absolute beginners this programme may require four to six weekly sessions, but we prefer to let this run until the Instructors and the new probationary members feel the time is right to move on.
For established shooters joining from other clubs, this induction process may well be compressed into one session, just to reinforce our Club’s approaches to safety etc.
The rules governing membership of a Rifle Club are laid down by the Home Office, as are the rules governing the use of firearms and firearms ownership. The firing of live ammunition is strictly controlled in the UK. We are required to keep strict records on the attendance of members and other people using and visiting the Range. This includes members of other clubs shooting on our Range, potential members and guests. The records are checked regularly by the Firearms Officer appointed by the Suffolk Constabulary.
The Home office publication – Approval of Rifle Clubs (ref: FA4-98) clearly states the ‘Criteria for Approval’. The following extracts apply to all people applying for membership.
2. Anyone applying for membership must be sponsored by at least one
club member.
4. The probationary member must attend a course covering the safe
handling of weapons and use of firearms.
6. The length of the probationary period is at the club’s discretion for
someone who is already a member of another club which has been approved by the Secretary of State in respect of the same type of firearms; or who holds a valid firearms certificate (Shotgun Certificates do not qualify).
7. The club is required to inform the police if any member has not shot for a
period of 12 months.
The first step to becoming a member of the Bury St Edmunds Smallbore Rifle Club is to complete the Application Form and ‘Section 21’ Declaration at the foot of the Application Form. This form is in the membership application on line at top of page.
On receipt of the completed form, we are required to send a copy to the Firearms officer. If the applicant is given a ‘clean bill of health’, he/she will be invited to join the club as a ‘Probationary Member’.
- Prospective members must sign a declaration that they are not prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition by virtue of section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968.
2. Anyone applying for membership must be sponsored by at least one
club member.
- Before becoming a full member, individuals must have completed a probationary period of at least six months (see 6.), during which time they must attend regularly.
4. The probationary member must attend a course covering the safe
handling of weapons and use of firearms.
- Until a probationary member has satisfactorily completed the course, he/she must be supervised at all times when in possession of firearms or ammunition.
6. The length of the probationary period is at the club’s discretion for
someone who is already a member of another club which has been approved by the Secretary of State in respect of the same type of firearms; or who holds a valid firearms certificate (Shotgun Certificates do not qualify).
7. The club is required to inform the police if any member has not shot for a
period of 12 months.
The first step to becoming a member of the Bury St Edmunds Smallbore Rifle Club is to complete the Application Form and ‘Section 21’ Declaration at the foot of the Application Form. This form is in the membership application on line at top of page.
On receipt of the completed form, we are required to send a copy to the Firearms officer. If the applicant is given a ‘clean bill of health’, he/she will be invited to join the club as a ‘Probationary Member’.
