{"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"sidebar","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBenefits of shooting activities\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe sport of target shooting has many benefits, including:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt\u0027s challenging on an individual level and is very personal to the shooter.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAlthough competing as an individual, shooters are part of a team.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt is very inclusive, with disciplines and equipment suitable for many levels of ability. This includes people with physical impairments and also visual impairments, often competing on equal terms with able bodied people.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt helps to improve personal skills such as self-discipline and control, co-ordination, focused concentration, patience, and self-awareness.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt promotes dedication and attention to detail which is needed to improve shooting technique and to improve scores.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAnyone participating will learn about and apply safety rules, control and discipline whilst on the shooting range.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt teaches people about the law\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eand the consequences of breaking it.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt helps people to make decisions about their own behaviour and what is or is not acceptable to others.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor more information on development pathways in shooting visit\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.nsra.co.uk/scouts-and-the-nsra\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENSRA - National Small-bore Rifle Association\u003C/a\u003E - Scouts and the NSRA.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor more information about disability shooting visit\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.dsgb.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EDisability Shooting Great Britain\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EFor more information about visually impaired target shooting visit\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://britishblindsport.org.uk/membership/bbs-sports/target-shooting/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBritish Blind Sport\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003ETypes of shooting activities\u003C/h3\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAirgun shooting is target\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Eshooting with airguns (air rifles and air pistols). It is the most accessible form of the sport, as it is possible to set up a safe airgun range in most Scout meeting places. Airguns are types of gun that\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Efire pellets using compressed air. Air rifles have a long barrel.\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003EAir pistols\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Eare\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Esmaller and designed to be held in one hand.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAirgun shooting is typically on indoor ranges that are either 6 yards (approx. 5.5 metres) or 10 metres long. The\u00A0\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.nsra.co.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENational Small-Bore Rifle Association (NSRA)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Eis the National Governing Body (NGB) for this sport.\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003EField target shooting\u00A0is also a recognised air rifle discipline. It is shooting at reactive targets outdoors at a distance of between 7 metres and 50 metres. Field target shooting is supported by\u00A0the\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.thebfta.net/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBritish Field Target Association (BFTA)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/u\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Ewho are affiliated to the NSRA.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Airgun shooting"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ESmall-bore rifle shooting\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Euses a gun that usually fires .22-inch rim fire cartridges. They are more powerful than air rifles. The ranges can be either indoors or outdoors and will usually be 15 yards (approximately. 13.7 metres) to 100 metres in length.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe NSRA also govern the use of small-bore rifles. This is through a system of affiliated clubs that meet a strict set of criteria and are approved by the Secretary of State for the relevant Government Department (The Home Office, The Scottish Office, and the Northern Ireland Office as appropriate to the part of the UK).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EMembers of Scouting may practice small-bore rifle target shooting as a member or guest of a Home Office approved club. The military, the NSRA or the\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.nra.org.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENational Rifle Association (NRA)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E, must inspect the ranges small-bore rifles are used on and will issue a range safety certificate.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Small-bore rifle shooting"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EFull-bore rifle shooting\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Euses a gun with a calibre (\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Einternal diameter or bore of a gun barrel) of 5.56mm/0.223\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0inches or over\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EShooting is generally outdoors over distances from 50 to 1200 yards. The NRA are the governing body for this sport. Clubs carrying out target shooting with full power rifles and muzzle-loading pistols must also be approved by the Secretary of State for the relevant Government Department. Scouts may take part in full-bore rifle target shooting as a member or guest of an approved club. Ranges are inspected by the military or the NRA and will have a range safety certificate.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Full-bore rifle shooting"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EClay pigeon shooting\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Ei\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Es another common target shooting discipline. It is an outdoor activity, shooting at moving targets using shotguns. The target is a clay (a disc) which is projected into the air or along the ground from a trap. The clay breaks when hit. The NGB for Clay Pigeon Shooting is the\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.cpsa.co.uk/\u0022\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EClay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA)\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/u\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EScout members may participate in clay pigeon shooting under the standards and controls of the CPSA. This is normally achieved by participating in the activity as a member or guest of an affiliated club.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Clay pigeon shooting"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ECrossbow shooting\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0uses equipment consisting of a small, powerful bow that is fixed across a piece of wood. It also has a trigger and is aimed like a gun at archery style targets. Crossbows with a draw weight of 1.4kg or greater are subject to the controls of the 1987 Crossbows Act. Depending on the power of the bows used, crossbow shooting typically takes place indoors on ranges of between 6 and 25 yards or outdoors on ranges, generally of 25 metres and upwards. Outdoor ranges are similar to those used for archery, although crossbow shooting requires a bigger safe overshoot distance beyond the targets. The National Small-Bore Rifle Association (NSRA) are the governing body for sport and match crossbow.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Crossbow shooting"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ETarget Sprint\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0is a discipline which uses\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eair rifles and combines running with target shooting. The course is usually 3x 400 metre runs, interspersed by shooting at knockdown targets, however this can be adapted to suit local facilities.\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.britishshooting.org.uk/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBritish Shooting\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/u\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Eis an umbrella organisation for International Target Shooting and champions the target sprint discipline.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Target Sprint"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EMuzzle Loaded Shooting \u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003Euses\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Emuzzle-loading rifles and pistols, often with a focus on historical re-enactment.\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0The\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022http://www.mlagb.com/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EMuzzle Loaders Association of Great\u00A0Britain\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0\u003C/span\u003Eis the NGB.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Muzzle Loaded Shooting"}]},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ESafety\u003C/strong\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe rules for shooting in\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EPolicy, Organisation and Rules (POR)\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003Eapply only to the use of firearms and crossbows as defined in law. However, many of the core principles should be applied to target shooting games with non-lethal equipment to ensure safety and to encourage young people to develop a good safety culture.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ETarget shooting has an excellent safety record, with one of the lowest accident rates of all Olympic sports. Shooters have an excellent safety culture because of the obvious hazards of handling of firearms. This essential and very clear concern for safety and discipline is recognised as being valuable training in the development of young people.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EHow to arrange the activity\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ELocal sensitivities and parental concerns of shooting activities must be taken into account when planning to incorporate target shooting into your programme.\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EMany sporting disciplines (including archery, fencing, javelin throwing, parachuting, gliding and orienteering) have origins in military skills, but their adoption as sports where friendly competition takes place at an international level has had a positive contribution to the world of sport.\u00A0\u00A0\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ETarget shooting is both an Olympic and Paralympic discipline and is very much removed from the military style and purpose.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe law does not specify a minimum age for the handling of firearms under supervision and on private premises. However, as with all Scouting activities, the activity should be appropriate to the maturity and ability of each participant and that equipment should be of the appropriate size.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe mental maturity of potential participants is very important because this is a matter of safety. They must be able to understand the need for the safety rules, the rules themselves, they must be able to obey them. They must also be able to distinguish reality from fantasy and understand the very real responsibilities of being entrusted with a firearm. Studies suggest that for most children this occurs at some time between the ages of 8 and 10. The responsibility for inviting young people to take part in target shooting as a Scout activity rests with the volunteers who know them well and can judge their fitness to take part.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Age and maturity considerations"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u0027s a requirement of POR that parental consent for anyone under the age of 18 is gained prior to the activity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDetails of the particular type of shooting should be given with as much detail as possible; an \u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fprod-cms.scouts.org.uk%2Fmedia%2Fg35j0xnj%2Fshooting-permission-form-template-2024.docx\u0026amp;wdOrigin=BROWSELINK\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022?src=https%3A%2F%2Fprod-cms.scouts.org.uk%2Fmedia%2Fg35j0xnj%2Fshooting-permission-form-template-2024.docx\u0026amp;wdOrigin=BROWSELINK\u0022\u003Eexample permission form is available to download\u003C/a\u003E. Parental opinions must be respected. For example, for some, the shooting of an air gun may be considered acceptable but not the shooting of a cartridge firearm.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EAlthough not strictly a legal requirement, it is good practice to obtain a declaration that participants are not prohibited persons under Section 21 of the 1968 Firearms Act. It may conveniently be combined with the parental consent. This declaration should also be obtained from any adults who may be invited to participate in or assist with the activity.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe prohibition applies in all circumstances and to all categories of firearms and ammunition including those such as airguns or shot cartridges for which a certificate is not needed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA sentence of 3 months to 3 years attracts a 5-year prohibition, shorter ones no prohibition but a longer one means a life ban.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Parental Consent"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EThe target shooting national governing bodies, H.M. Armed Services and the Police Forces issue qualifications recognised by the Scouts (UKHQ) in range safety and the proficient use of firearms and crossbows. Recognised qualifications can be found within the\u003Cspan\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C/span\u003EShooting \u2013 Qualifications page.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Supervision"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EThe size of gun is very significant. Young people do not benefit from being invited to have a go with an air rifle which is far too big for them. This sets them up to fail with the result that they may easily be put off the activity.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Equipment"}]}]},{"items":[{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Download the example shooting permission form","buttonLink":{"name":"Example permission form","id":null,"url":"https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fprod-cms.scouts.org.uk%2Fmedia%2Fg35j0xnj%2Fshooting-permission-form-template-2024.docx\u0026wdOrigin=BROWSELINK","newWindow":false,"target":"_blank"},"colour":{"value":"490499","label":"490499"},"alignment":"left"},{"type":"Promo","cta":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://paralympics.org.uk/sports/shooting-para-sport\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EParalympics GB (Shooting Para Sport)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.teamgb.com/summer-sports/shooting\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ETeam GB (Shooting)\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca rel=\u0022noopener\u0022 href=\u0022https://www.nsra.co.uk/scouts-and-the-nsra\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 title=\u0022NSRA and Scouts\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan\u003ENSRA and Scouts shooting pathways infographic\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","link":null,"colour":"#f1f1f1","title":"Additional Information","image":null,"imageFocus":"","imageId":0,"imageKey":"00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000","imageCrop":"","gridType":"card","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""}]}],"config":null}]},"prev":null,"next":{"link":"/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/shooting/equipment-and-range-layout/","title":"Equipment and Range Layout"},"allParts":[{"link":"/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/shooting/planning-a-shooting-activity/","title":"Planning a shooting activity"},{"link":"/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/shooting/equipment-and-range-layout/","title":"Equipment and Range Layout"},{"link":"/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/shooting/qualifications/","title":"Qualifications"},{"link":"/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/shooting/shooting-faqs/","title":"Shooting FAQs"}],"link":"/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/shooting/planning-a-shooting-activity/","id":46922,"nodeName":"Planning a shooting activity","title":"Planning a shooting activity","type":"codexPart","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Planning a shooting activity","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"searchDescription":"","subHeader":"","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80NjkyMiJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteers/running-your-section/programme-guidance/information-for-volunteers/general-activity-guidance-a-z/shooting/planning-a-shooting-activity/"}