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BRITISH SHOOTING SPORTS COUNCIL DELIVERS PILOT COURSE FOR POLICE FIREARMS ENQUIRY OFFICERS
The British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC) recently conducted a pilot course for police firearms enquiry officers (FEOs) aimed at providing them with practical experience of the firearms and shooting activities they may encounter in their roles.
The course took place in early September at Bisley Shooting Ground and was organised by the BSSC, the umbrella body representing UK shooting organisations. It included presentations on various shooting disciplines, with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) focusing on the use of shotguns and rifles in live quarry shooting. A chairman of a Home Office-approved shooting club also delivered a presentation on the responsibilities of club committees.
Following these presentations, FEOs had the opportunity to engage in clay pigeon and rifle shooting to gain first-hand experience with the firearms they are likely to encounter during their work.
BASC’s head of firearms, Martin Parker, commented: “This course for police firearms enquiry officers was a great opportunity to introduce FEOs to the various shooting disciplines, as well as enabling them to see and handle the guns they are likely to encounter. The feedback from those on the course was very positive, with lots of questions for the representatives from the shooting organisations.”
The course is expected to be rolled out across the UK over the next two years, with the aim of fostering stronger relationships between firearms licensing departments and the shooting community.