As I said on another thread:
A can of worms has been opened. If MoD cease to support target shooting then the exemptions currently in place allowing staff and cadets access to S1 firearms are likely to be removed and the normal provisions of the Firearms Act will apply. This would place cadet forces in the same category as the Scout Association who currently operate under S11(4) Miniature Rifle Ranges. There is no equivalent section that would allow a similar route for Full Bore. The other issue for smallbore is that if the rifles are withdrawn, I cannot see MoD continuing to support and maintain the ranges.
To continue with smallbore shooting it would have to be “civilianised” and that too has challenges. With the L144 being withdrawn units would have 3 options available:
a. Form a Home Office Approved club. Difficult to satisfy all the criteria, but doable with effort.
b. Operate under S11(4), maybe easier than the HO Approval route but still requiring many of the same criteria to be met.
Both the of above would require grant of a Firearm Certificate (FAC)
You would also need somewhere to shoot and if MoD facilities are no longer available this would probably mean local rifle clubs.
c. Reach an agreement with a rifle club whereby all cadets who wish to shoot make an application to join the club. Which, if successful would allow them to access to club firearms and facilities. This is similar to an arrangement currently in place with a number of university rifle clubs.
The problem is that clubs these days don’t have that much spare range capacity and have to put their existing members’ interests first. Because of the insularity that RAFAC has built up, if you are even remotely considering approaching a club in a couple of years time, it might be a good move to start making contact sooner rather than later. In other words go along and see about joining, an approach from an existing member may be better received than a cold call.
exmpa