A SHOT IN THE ARM

As we navigate through another eventful month in the UK gun trade, it’s clear that our industry never lacks for news. This month, we’ve witnessed a surge of excitement stemming from Team GB’s Olympic success, a triumph that has reverberated through our community and provided a welcome boost to gun retailers nationwide. Another potentially significant development for our sector centres around NatureScot, which has launched a new deer management scheme in Scotland, incentivising hunters with payments for harvesting deer. This initiative not only aids in controlling deer populations but also promises to benefit retailers by increasing demand for hunting equipment and services. I believe we’re far enough away from the Covid-19 era to use the phrase “a shot in the arm” again, and that’s exactly what these two positive stories could represent to our trade.

This issue features two insightful articles from Simon West and Lachlan Nisbet, focusing on the intricacies of licence revocation or refusal at both the shooter and Registered Firearms Dealer (RFD) levels. The complexities of these situations are well articulated in their analyses, offering essential knowledge that could impact your operations and legal standing. I highly recommend dedicating time to these pieces for their educational value and the depth of their investigative reporting.

On a different note, I had the pleasure of speaking with Richard Ryan of ESR Distribution. Richard has pioneered a hybrid distribution and retail model tailored to meet the unique challenges of the UK firearms market. His innovative approach could be a game changer for your retail business. Additionally, my conversation with Nick Levett-Scrivener, owner of Shooting Star, shed light on how his company’s offerings from brands such as BioAmmo, Jocker, RC, Trust and Victory are influencing the future of shooting. These discussions are crucial as they provide insights into the market’s direction and the strategies that leading figures are employing to forge ahead.

It is also with great pleasure that I welcome Mat Manning to our team of contributors. Known to many of you as a leading expert in the airgun sector, Mat’s expertise will undoubtedly enrich our publication and keep you informed about the latest developments in this vital area of our trade.

Earlier this year, the Italian gunmaker Perazzi embarked on an exciting new journey by partnering with the SGC Group, setting the stage for fresh innovation and investment in the UK. This partnership has led to the creation of Perazzi UK, which is already making waves under the leadership of industry expert Becky White. In this issue, we find out how Becky and the team are working to get Perazzi a strong foothold in the UK market.

As we look forward to the upcoming month, I encourage each of you to engage with these developments and consider how they might influence your business strategies and operations. Your perspectives and experiences are invaluable to our community, and I invite you to share any news or views with me at rob.smith@fieldsportspress.com.

Here’s to a prosperous trading month ahead.