"Bullet-In" club newsletter #289 for April 2016

FROM THE COMMITTEE: 

The next meeting of the new Committee will be at the range on Wednesday 27th April (last Wednesday of the month); all new members are encouraged to attend, & all members are welcome!  

In case you haven't already, (as the sub's have not changed for this financial year), please visit your personal club profile, update any details & pay your subs in order to be financial. Our new Treasurer, Pam Fourie, will be happy to clarify any queries you may have.

PRESIDENT'S NOTES

B-Cat Events

Clearly there is concern amongst a few B cat members with regards to recent communication. Concern because you have discussed amongst yourselves rather than with the secretary or myself.

What members must realise is that conditions of B cat requirements have not changed but conditions within our club have in that they were relaxed a few years back. It is quite irrelevant who and why condition were relaxed and I will not enter into the politics of that era.

Members who joined during this period and the few proceeding years it appears, are suddenly feeling pressure simply because they are either unaware and were perhaps misinformed regarding B endorsement criteria.

Clubs and/or members appear to interpret these conditions to suit their own purpose. I contacted Police National HQ by phone. The requested email response outlining conditions/requirements is below.

In our political climate with ever increasing pressure on firearm owners/users we must remain vigilant and proactive. Far better to know the rules regarding firearms ownership as a whole and comply rather than do a band aid patch-up after the damage is done.

I think most would agree that we are fortunate to have so many disciplines under the one umbrella. The subject of “B” cat. Club Events relates to B endorsed pistol members and those on B cat probation.

There is no intention to hinder current shooting practices or deter anyone from enjoying our facilities. B endorsed members simply need to be aware that in applying for a B endorsement they agreed to certain conditions and a commitment to retain their pistol endorsement and it is the individuals responsibility to know what these requirements are.

There are plenty of matches in the range schedule that qualify as B cat club sanctioned events (refer to the attached email from Police HQ). In the last Bullet-In there was an invite for anyone who felt they weren't being catered for to put their hand up and have a say. To date, no response. I also asked for views and opinions. There was no response or forewarning of the barrage of negative comments erred at the last committee meeting. Surely knowing and complying with the conditions of a B endorsement are important just as it is to comply with range certification requirements.

At the very least this exercise has got people on the topic and hopefully created some awareness regarding pistol endorsed requirements. It has also highlighted the fact we require more trained Range Officers and this will be addressed in the near future.

Interestingly enough just this morning I received the attached email from COLFO. Another reason to know the rules, be pro-active and remain vigilant.

The Police response was:

Hi Gary

The purpose of the requirement is to ensure that all members are active participants in the pistol club. We expect that the majority of that activity (at least 2/3) is shooting in club organised/sanctions shooting events (and not personal practise for instance). Certainly attendance at the club AGM would be accepted as an attendance, as would the odd working bee.

Regards

E Paul Gatland | EGK408 | Advisor: Arms Control |

Arms Control - Response & Operations |

Police National Head Quarters | New Zealand Police |
Molesworth Street | WELLINGTON City

PO Box 3017 | DX - SX 11149| Wellington | New Zealand  
04 4749539 | Ext 44139 |  paul.gatland@police.govt.nzIn the interim, due to the talk and obvious awareness, it is best we leave it to individuals whose attendances fall short of the requirements to work on improving their situation. Club sanctioned B cat events will be marked *B in the range schedule to assist members in identifying such events. Also the AGM and any scheduled working Bees will be identified in the range schedule.

Look at the positives: many agree that participating in competitions and events, apart from the camaraderie, bullshit and banter, is a great way to keep a personal check on safety, and handling skills relating to your shooting practices/discipline.

FYI: “B” cat attendance sheets are checked every 6 months and those slipping behind are contacted and given a gentle nudge. Clearly some are effected by personal circumstances or commitments from time to time and if you require a dispensation, contact the secretary so we can address your situation. You are however required to keep your PNZ fees up to date if on dispensation.

Range 6 development: In the face of great weather, considerable earthworks on range 6 were undertaken last weekend, resulting in a number of new ranges being created.  Check out the hompage slideshow for some of the pictures.

Two x 15 round mags have been purchased for the club Ruger 10/22 and should be here this week.  I could have made good use of one at the last speed steel i.r. 10 shot mag, 10 targets, malfuntion, eject "1" round to clear = #@%!!!

The club has also ordered a good quantity of the CCI standard velocity .22 ammo which will hopefully be here in May.  Don't panic, we still have a few bricks in stock.  The last we could get and a price enabling us to hopefully (depending on whether we can arrange transport from Auckland) keep it at $50 a brick.

A couple of corporate shoot (tentative at this stage) bookings which we may need help for so keep your phone handy.

IPSC Nationals:Report from Phil Dunlop

It had been 12 years since the Wairarapa has hosted a 3 Gun Nationals but after a couple of North Island Champs, that all changed at the end of April when 42 shooters from all around the country descended on Gladstone for three days of challenging competition over 19 stages.

The shooting calendar is pretty full these days, so we were forced to take a late date in terms of the weather, but it turned out to be stunning, warm but not hot, and dry until the end.

The shooting was tough at times, but most people seemed happy with the match, though there were two disqualified for dangerous gun handling during the shotgun match. This was a timely reminder, handling guns, long or short at speed, under stress requires lots of practice and attention.

Our club was well represented with all four members getting places in the aggregate or individual matches.  Chris Robinson from Christchurch won the open tournament, and I was lucky enough to win Standard.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the club for its support, for providing a fantastic facility for this event, and thanks too to all the members who contributed time to the setting up and running of the match, particularly, Pam, Bevan, Nikky, Brandon, Neville Eric and Lindsay.

I have applied to host the North Island pistol champs next year, and watch this space for New Zealand's first IPSC Rifle Champs at Gladstone in the spring,

Phil Dunlop

OTHER NOTES

Reloading: We have a wealth of experience within our club and on talking to members, there are many keen to learn more or start reloading. Good advice can save money in the long run when it comes to purchasing reloading tools, components, etc. Please indicate your interest to the secretary or Gary Rawlinson so we can put together an evening workshop/demo/discussion and display of reloading gear. 

Leaving the Range: when last leaving the range ensure all fence rails on ranges 1 & 2 are in place, lock/close all doors and gates and electric wires. There is a check-list on the outside wall beside the main door.  Don't assume all is secure. It doesn't take much time, thought or effort to do a final check prior to leaving.

PNZ training manuals: hard copies of the General Coaching Skills Manual were recently ordered and are available. FYI, manuals for all disciplines are available on-line at: http://www.pistolnz.org.nz/training.aspx

10th World Action Pistol Championships need helpers!

Whangarei Pistol Club is proud to host this event and is seeking RO's, assistant ROs and helpers to attend. Match is to be conducted between 8th November to 11th November 2016 inclusive.  For details: http://www.wapc2016.com/index.php/the-event/ or WAPC 1st April 2016.pdf

$$$   BUY, SELL, SWAP $$$

Send any photos and descriptions for Bullet-In either via  email or post to
The Secretary, WPSSC, P. O. Box 175 Carterton 5743.

The Club version is on the WPSSC Trading Post  page. 

Pistol NZ also have an on-line Buy Sell Swap system operating on their website; click their 'Trading Post' button for instructions and items.

Section Activities:

The Range schedule and Section Directors info' is published on the website. 

• Speed Steel – Neville ;results: TBA
  

• Service Pistol & Rifle – Colin

• IPSC – Phil Dunlop (new email: phd121@hotmail.com) 

• Clay Target Results - (Brigitte); check the Shotgunners page
  

• Cowboy Action Shootin' – Eddie Henrard; Trails' End results:TBA
  

• Roger Castle (06 306 9453) for 20 and 12 gauge shot gun ammo

• Ben Garrett currently has .22, 9mm, .223 and 12 gauge

Janet also has chamber flags – remember, the club requires you to have and to use them.

Range Schedule

For details and changes, check the range schedule from the website ; copying it has problems in that things change, and when the schedule is printed, members end up with out of date info.

So, the basic range schedule is as detailed below.  You don't even have to log on to see it!!! 

(Basic) RANGE SCHEDULE:

First Saturday	Simulated Game Bird  IPSC
First Sunday	Can be Multigun, Service Rifle or other (e.g. Jungle lane shotgun or .22 rifle)
Second Sunday	CAS ISSF (Service Pistol)
Third Saturday	Simulated Game Bird
Third Sunday	3-Gun
Fourth Sunday	Speed Steel