“You use certain terms on your website referring to shooting- what do you mean?”
See our Terminology section. This should provide you with some answers!
“What kind of people go shooting?”
Our Club is no different to any other -our members are just ordinary people!
Shooting has traditionally been a fairly male dominated sport, and the general membership of our club reflects this. However, we have had an influx of female and junior members, and are keen to encourage shooting as a sport available to all.
Despite some negative images painted by the anti-shooting media and gun-banning pundits, none of us are two headed monsters, salivating gun nuts or combat gear clad Rambo wannabes. If you are one of these, then membership of this club is definitely not for you!
“Why shoot?”
Well, for lots of reasons, namely:
- It’s good fun.
- It’s something everybody can do, even unfit, old or disabled.
- You can compete, or do it just for fun.
- You can do it all year round.
- It’s an amateur sport, thankfully not full of professional prima donnas.
- You do not have to spend a fortune to enjoy yourself, (but you can if you want to).
- It’s a fascinating, enjoyable hobby.
- It’s a reason to get out and about in the countryside: Bisley on a fine summer day is a glorious place, as are the clay shoots.
Without exception, your fellow shooters are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Even though you might be competing, they will always help, share their knowledge and share their experience with you.
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
No it isn’t! Official statistics show that ballroom dancing and aero modelling cause more injuries than shooting. Shooting is one of the safest of all pastimes because it has to be. Target shooting can only take place on ranges that have been constructed to specifications laid down by the MOD, and which are regularly inspected for compliance. In addition, Club officials must hold officially recognised Range Conducting Officer qualifications if the Club is to shoot on MOD ranges. All shooting is strictly controlled to enforce the highest safety standards.
“Aren’t guns dangerous?”
No they aren’t! Some people may be dangerous, not guns, which are merely artefacts. The very reason that we are a club is to provide safe ranges and safe shooting practices to ensure that our members and our activities are a danger to nobody. We are absolutely typical of any shooting club in this country.
“There is no reason for anybody to have a gun”
The enemies of shooting often quote this trite and silly statement. Whilst no shooter will deny an interest in guns, it is the use of them against the target that fascinates us. Our guns are no different from angler’s rods or a golfer’s clubs, a cricketer’s bat or a tennis player’s racket: they are merely the tools that we use to play the game.
“Great! I’m interested in coming to see you with a view to join – how do I get in contact?”
See the Getting Started section of the website.
Drop us an email at membership@reedstargetshootingclub.co.uk
Or, for more general enquiries secretary@reedstargetshootingclub.co.uk
