The UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), has sent out almost 40,000 codes of practice after requests from police forces across the country.
BASC has sent out 16,000 shotgun codes of practice, 13,000 air rifle codes of practice and 10,900 lamping codes of practice.
The aim of the codes of practice is to promote best practice and highlight relevant parts of the law regarding shotguns, air rifles and lamping. They also impart some basic but essential guidance on health and safety.
The shotgun, air rifle and lamping codes of practice have recently been reprinted and every police force in the UK was contacted and offered copies. The shotgun and air rifle codes of practice are endorsed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and endorsement is being sought for the lamping code of practice.
Some of the forces give the codes of practice to shotgun and firearm certificate holders and some give them to operational police officers. Some forces give them out to people at shows, particularly county shows in rural areas.
David Ilsley, BASC’s head of marketing and membership services, said: "It’s excellent news that thousands and thousands of our codes of practice have been requested by the police. This ensures that we are able to provide them and people in their force areas with easily accessible and understandable guides to best practice."
Dr Peter Marshall, BASC’s director of shooting standards, said: "BASC’s expert departments in the different fields of shooting help to compile the codes of practice. BASC is committed to ensuring the best standards in shooting."
BASC also produces codes of practice on subjects including wildfowling, picking up, deer stalking, flight ponds, gundogs, respect for quarry, transport of beaters and good shooting practice.
