FDPC – Using MOD ranges.

From 1^st January 2009, civilians shooting on MoD ranges (including the ACF ranges, Bisley and other locations that use MOD danger areas) are to carry a certificate of safety and competence signed by the chairman of a club of which they are a member and which is affiliated to the NRA, stating they are safe and competent to use the type(s) of firearm concerned. This process will be repeated every year, although as yet, we don’t know whether it will follow the same format as below. If you don’t carry your certificate, it may impact on your ability to shoot.

The club is authorised to issue these certificates to full members based on each member declaring the type of firearm they have on their FAC and wish to be declared as safe and competent to shoot. For shooters who were full members before 1^st July 2008, this certificate will be issued by virtue of a shooters experience, competition entry, or current RCO qualification. This follows the precedent set by the NRA for it’s members. For members who were not full members before this date, there is a training / certification programme under development for you.

There are a number of classes of firearms to be certified against. Their descriptions are shown below – refer to this table when completing the form (download here)

Fill the form in NOW, and return it to the Chairman, for certification.

Classes of Firearm :

Telescope sighted rifle:	Cartridge rifles chambered for “full-bore” rounds (e.g. .303, 7.26, .223), fitted with telescope sights and typically shot at ranges beyond 100 yards.
Iron sighted rifle:	Cartridge rifles chambered for “full-bore” rounds (e.g. .303, 7.26, .223), fitted with iron sights and typically shot at ranges beyond 100 yards.
Long range pistol:	Cartridge pistols chambered for rounds more usually associated with rifles (e.g. 7.62) and typically shot at ranges beyond 100 yards.
Short range pistol:	Cartridge pistols and revolvers chambered for relatively low-power cartridges usually associated with such firearms (e.g. .22, .38/.357, .44) and typically shot at short ranges (100 yards or less). Includes long-barrelled revolvers and pistols.
Gallery rifle / carbine:	Cartridge rifles chambered for rounds usually associated with pistols (e.g. .22, .38/.357, .44). Includes bolt action, lever action and semi-automatic rimfire guns.
Muzzle loaded rifle:	Any non-cartridge rifle, regardless of the propellant used. Includes smooth-bore firearms such as muskets and flintlocks.
Muzzle loaded pistol:	Any non-cartridge pistol or revolver, regardless of the propellant used. Includes smooth-bore firearms such as flintlocks
Target Shotgun:	Any cartridge smooth-bore firearm. Includes single-barrel, double-barrel, semi-automatic and pump-action guns. Only required for target shooting, generally shot with solid slug ammunition. Not required for Clay shooting.
High Muzzle Energy Firearms/Ammunition	From 1^st July 2008, special procedures for anyone using ammunition which generates muzzle energy in excess of 4500J were introduced. If a shooter wants to use HME firearms / ammunition, he must be explicitly certified in writing for this by the club Chairman as well as being certified for the firearm type.