Originally Posted By: Tempest
Don't you guys have to have a license just to look at a gun much less touch one?
Up until a few months ago, only people who had a licence (endorsed target), and were temporary members of our club could shoot (or had a three month commissioner's exemption and temporary membership. We could, once per year, at the discretion of the Commissioner hold an open day, and invite the public to shoot a small number of rimfire/centrefire cartridges, under our control.
State Govt wanted to sell the power industry, and courted the Shooter's Party, who hold a number of seats in the senate.
Their bribe was to allow us to invite unlicenced people onto the range once (per person) to demonstrate to potential new members. Huge form to fill out (which for a change makes the filler inner responsible for the accuracy of the information, not us), and a lot of process...but it's worth it if it introduces people to the sport.
The second part of the bribe was the waiving of the 28 day "cooling off" period when applying for a permit to aquire a firearm of which you already have one...i.e. you don't have to "cool off" for a .22 purchase if you already have a .22.
Minority and interest parties certainly are worth voting for.