April 2021, Wales

National Sports Governing Body (National Rifle Association)

COVID SECURE PROCEDURES FOR THE USE OF RANGES

Phoenix Shooters Association –

From the 29th March 2021 outdoor sports facilities in England were allowed to reopen. People will be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports in accordance with guidance and procedures issued by NGBs.

From 26th April 2021, formally organised sport in Wales can restart, but with no more than thirty people in total, and in accordance with guidance and procedures issued by NGBs

This document details the NRA procedures to be followed, and is in addition to normal range regulations, which remain extant and the authoritative document.

The safety of our shooters remains our priority.

• Persons travelling to shoots are responsible for compliance with Covid-19 restrictions set by the Devolved Administrations, including travel restrictions in addition to any local Covid-19 restrictions applicable in their location.
• Anyone attending a Phoenix Shooters Association [PSA] shoot must undertake a self-assessment for any Covid-19 symptoms before travelling to a shoot.
• No one should leave home if they, or someone they live with, has symptoms of Covid-19.
• If you are feeling unwell or have Covid-19 symptoms, please do not visit a PSA shoot, no matter how mild the symptoms. PSA has put in place COVID-secure procedures for our shoots. Please adhere to any notices and instructions. You must maintain social distancing at all times, and practice regular hand hygiene throughout your time at the shoot.

Any changes to Covid-Secure Procedures will be publicised via our website, the PSA News, or e-mails to members.

COVID PROCEDURES FOR CLUBS / RECREATIONAL SHOOTING

GENERAL

All personnel attending a PSA shoot are to:

1. Adhere to Covid related signage with particular regards to social distancing and hand hygiene.
2. Sanitise hands regularly. Hand sanitiser will be provided, but please bring your own as well.
3. Observe social distancing in all areas.
4. In order to be effective personal hand sanitiser must be at least 60% alcohol.
5. All shoots must be pre-booked.
6. Range bookings will recorded for “Test and Trace” within the club.
7. Affiliated Club Guest Days and probationary training are not permitted at this stage.

ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION

 Social distancing is to be observed at all times.  Please observe the 2m separation rule when you are not shooting.

PLEASE DO: Wear gloves and have a face covering ready.

FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION

There will be NO ammunition sales on site.

There will be NO exchanging of rifles/pistols/shotguns/equipment except between members of an individual household or bubble.

ON THE RANGES THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE TO BE ADHERED TO:

Close face to face contact should be avoided.

Sanitise all range contact surfaces and equipment with the sanitiser and wipes. This process must be repeated if shooters are rotated.

YOU MUST STAY 2 METRES APART FROM PEOPLE YOU DO NOT LIVE WITH OR WHO ARE NOT A PART OF YOUR BUBBLE

Face coverings are to be worn in the butts at Sealand.

The RO is responsible for ensuring that Covid procedures and social distancing is observed.

If 2m spacing cannot be maintained in other circumstances, face coverings are to be worn.

On the firing point Shooters are to attract the attention of the RO by raising a hand, they are not to call out.

In the case of airguns ONLY – Shooters are responsible for declaring their own gun clear. They are to carry out a 2 point check: 

o In the chamber

o In the magazine housing

A declaration of “Clear” is to be made to the RO who may conduct a secondary check from a safe distance.

The RO is to operate from behind the shooter and avoid being directly alongside.

Other than air guns, normal procedures will apply.

ROS must have a face covering available for use should they be required to approach a shooter.

In the event of a fault on target equipment the shooter is to report the fault to the RO, unload, and move away from the equipment whilst it is repaired/adjusted.

In the event of a firearm fault/malfunction the firearm is to be made as safe as possible laid flat pointing at the target and the armourer tasked. The firearm is not to be left on a bipod.

ON NO ACCOUNT MUST A LOADED FIREARM BE REMOVED FROM THE RANGE

In the event of an injury please inform the staff, who will respond as normal and assess the situation. Follow up action will depend on the severity of the situation.

 Minor bumps, scrapes and cuts will be dealt with by self-help, sterile dressings may be provided.

MARKING OF TARGETS (Sealand)

The target marker is to sanitise all contact surfaces on arrival. The process is to be repeated on any changeover of the markers.

Sanitising fluids, wipes and protective gloves will be available for use by the target markers.

Marking equipment such as patches, marker boards etc are not to be shared.

All markers and RCS to wear masks when in the butts.

ON COMPLETION OF THE SHOOT:

The club is responsible for ensuring that all surfaces and equipment remaining on-site are sanitised prior to departure.

All contaminated PPE and wipes are to be disposed of in the bag provided, the bag will be sealed.

SOCIAL DISTANCING OF 2m IS TO BE MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT.

ALL CONTAMINATED PPE AND WIPES ARE TO BE DISPOSED OF IN THE BAG PROVIDED, THE BAG WILL BE SEALED.

THE RO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT COVID PROCEDURES AND SOCIAL DISTANCING IS OBSERVED.

If you want to come to Clay or Air gun shoots during this crisis, you MUST read through this risk assessment, and if you feel you cannot comply, do not attend.

COVID-19 – GENERIC SHOOTERS RISK ASSESSMENT

OUTDOOR SHOOTING January 2021

NOTE : This risk assessment is based on the NRA Risk Assessment to include Clay Pigeon and air gun target shooting with the Phoenix Shooters Association. It is based on Government guidance and regulations as at 28/12/20. It does NOT include MoD Ranges.

If you are feeling unwell or have Covid-19 symptoms please do not visit a shoot, no matter how mild the symptoms. If you are displaying symptoms yourself you must isolate for 7 days. If you are sharing a household with someone who is displaying symptoms you must isolate for 14 days.
If you find yourself suffering from these conditions within 14 days of attending a shoot, you MUST inform us at once.

Government advice is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

The club and its members must comply with advice provided by the devolved Administrations.

AIM

The aim of this Risk Assessment is to identify existing and potential Covid-19 transmission hazards associated with the use of outdoor shooting to demonstrate that the appropriate control measures, in accordance with Government guidance, are in place. General mitigation, in all areas will include:

• Maintaining social distancing in all areas
• Minimal contact with common hard surfaces
• Hygiene: frequent hand washing/sanitisation and surface cleaning

The three key areas of risk identified by the Government are:

1. Droplet transmission (air borne)
2. Fomite transmission (on surfaces)
3. Population (types of “at risk” persons)

ACTIVITIES

• The primary activity is target shooting including clay pigeon shooting and air gun shooting.  This assessment will include shooters arrival/departure and occupation and use of the shooting area. 

• Club officials must ensure member compliance with Government advice and the devolved Administrations at all times.

HAZARDS

• A summary of the major hazards:

Ref	Hazard	RA
1	Transmission from other members	M4
2	Transmission from other range users	L1
3	Transmission from other persons/general public on site	L1
4	Transmission from equipment on site	M4
5	Transmission from communal areas	L2
6	Members at particular risk	M4

PERSONS AT RISK

• This Risk Assessment focuses upon the risk to members (Including probationary) . No others may be allowed in the shooting area.

RISK MATRIX

The risk matrix defines the level of risk by considering probability or likelihood against severity.

Likelihood		Risk Matrix
Common/Regular/Frequent	3	Medium 3	High 6	High 9
Occasional	2	Low 2	Medium 4	High 6
Rare/Improbable	1	Low 1	Low 2	Medium 3
SEVERITY		1 Minor Injury or Illness	2 Serious Injury or Illness	3 Fatality Major Injury/Illness

Hazard Ref	Risk Associated with the Hazard	Existing Control Measures	Risk Rating	Add Control	Review Freq
1	Transmission to/from members & others	Club members must not come to shoot if they are displaying Covid-19 symptoms or sharing a household with someone who is displaying symptoms Bookings   –  Range bookings will follow the PSA process  IE: contacting us by e-mail or ‘phone to book a place beforehand. Arrival and Departure – 2 m Social distancing must be observed at all times, by all members as per Government/devolved Administration guidelines. Club officials must control member arrivals/departures  to ensure compliance with 2m social distancing. Shooting Activity – Club Guest Days are not permitted. The shooting activity will take place on the firing point & the area immediately behind the firing point. RCO must ensure compliance with Government/devolved Administration guidelines on group size. – Consider use of alternate firing points to ensure social distance is maintained  – Members will shoot in squads, assigned to a detail – Only one shooter per firing point. – In the event of a medical emergency, the first aider will wear a mask & gloves when dealing with the casualty. In the event of a medical emergency the injured member will put on a mask if it is medically safe to do so . – The RCO will be issued with mask and gloves in order to intervene should a safety incident occur.	2 x 2 Medium	Protocols and procedures	weekly
2	Transmission from other range users	The number of shooters at any event will be limited to allow separation distances and supervision where necessary. No indoor premises will be used by anyone attending the shoot. Club officials must ensure separation of groups is enforced if necessary. Spectators will not be permitted in the shooting area. Equipment must not be shared between shooters at the shoot. Members must limit interaction with other users and comply with 2m social distancing. RCO must ensure that any club contaminated waste is removed from the range in sealed bags	1 x 2 Low	N	weekly
3	Transmission from other persons/general public on site	Spectators will not be permitted in the shooting area. Shooters must not engage with other persons/general public in the shooting area.	1 x 2 Low	N	weekly
4	Transmission from equipment (Fomite transmission)	Club members must not share a vehicle unless they are part of the same household/bubble. Club members must sanitise their hands with alcohol based sanitiser of at least 60% alcohol content before and after each detail in which they take part. In the event of a firearm fault/malfunction the firearm is to be made as safe as possible and the club armourer tasked. Target equipment contact is limited to club officials. Firearms and equipment must not be shared at the shoot. All contaminated club PPE and wipes must be removed from the area in sealed bags. Club members are not permitted to access indoor areas belonging to the landowner.	2×2 Medium	N	weekly
5	Transmission from communal areas (Fomite transmission)	Members must comply with 2m social distancing guidelines at all times on the premises. Members must comply with local hygiene protocols and provide their own spray/gel/wipes.	1 x 2 Low	N	weekly
6	Members at particular risk	Members who have received a letter from the NHS stating that they are clinically extremely vulnerable must not attend. Members who are at moderate risk (over 70, Asthma, heart conditions, Chronic kidney disease, diabetes, etc) may attend but must ensure social distancing more than others and wear a mask where appropriate.  They should consider not attending. Members from “Very High” (tier 3) Risk areas should consider not attending. Members from “Very High” (Tier 3) Risk areas must not remain in any group of over six while at the venue. Members from Tier four Risk Areas must NOT attend.	2X2 Medium	All members to read a copy of this assessment.	weekly

Date:	28/12/20	Review Date:	31st December  2020
Name:	M Eveleigh	Name:	M Eveleigh
Position:	Chairman	Position :	Chairman
Signature:		Signature:

The Government has published a public consultation on firearms “safety” issues. 

We would encourage everyone who has an interest in the shooting sports to complete the survey below, as it seems clear that further restrictions are a possibility. Little or no evidence has been provided of a problem, other than “concerns have been raised about the possibility….” Please go to the link below and give your views.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/firearms-safety

Thank you.

From The Home Office-
The Government has published a public consultation on firearms “safety” issues. 
 The consultation originated from debates during the passage through Parliament of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019.  At that time, the Government gave a commitment to consult on strengthening the security requirements for high muzzle-energy rifles as an alternative to the Government’s original intention in the Bill to prohibit these weapons.  It also committed to include in the consultation some other firearms safety issues that were raised during debates on the Act.

In addition to security for high muzzle-energy rifles, the consultation will also cover:

• Miniature rifle ranges – there is an exemption in GB firearms law which allows a person to run a rifle range or shooting gallery where only small calibre rifles or air weapons are used, without the need for a firearms licence.  Additionally, members of the public do not need a firearms licence to shoot at such a range or gallery.  This exemption is widely used to introduce people to target shooting.  However, law enforcement has raised concerns that the exemption may allow unsuitable people to gain access to firearms, with consequent public safety risks. The consultation will seek views on improving the controls on miniature rifle ranges while retaining the benefits that miniature rifle ranges present to shooting sports.  The key proposal will be that anyone who wishes to operate a miniature rifle range must apply for a firearm certificate and undergo the necessary police checks into their background and security.

• Ammunition – Law enforcement has raised concerns about the availability of component parts of ammunition, and how criminals could use them to unlawfully manufacture full rounds of ammunition.  The key components of ammunition – the propellant and primer – are already controlled under GB law, and there are offences relating to the unlawful possession of complete ammunition.  The consultation will seek views on whether these controls remain sufficient or whether they should be strengthened. In particular, it will seek views on whether to make it an offence to possess component parts of ammunition with intent to unlawfully manufacture complete rounds.

• Air weapons – the consultation will summarise responses to the review we carried out following the tragic death of 13-year old Benjamin Wragge, who was killed accidentally with an air weapon in 2016. The consultation will seek views on proposals relating to the possession of air weapons by under-18s, secure storage and the safe-keeping of air weapons.

The consultation will close on
16 February 2021.