November 2009 President message
Shooting is a wonderful, multifaceted sport. One of only a few sports that encourages the participation of the young and old, males and females, able-bodied and those with different abilities, it fosters patience, discipline, personal responsibility, respect and a healthy sense of competition against oneself and other individuals and teams. And, with air, rimfire and centrefire rifle, shotgun, pistol and revolver shooting and a whole world of hunting opportunities available, it caters to the many and varied interests of all firearms enthusiasts and sporting shooters.
The anti-gun lobby, however, says that we at SSAA National are deliberately trying to get kids to take up shooting. Well, yes, via our Sign Up A Junior campaign and other promotions, we are trying to encourage young people into the shooting sports, as well as increase our junior membership. Young people are the future of any sport, so why would you intentionally neglect or fail to encourage the participation of such an essential part of your membership?
The wowsers argue that because you cannot drive a car or vote until you are into your late teens, that you shouldn’t be able to use a firearm, even a BB gun, until that age. Our response to that is that the safe handling of firearms and sensible shooting practices are taught (and in fact ingrained) in supervised firearms safety courses, coaching sessions and shooting at the range by way of range officers and that these practices soon become second nature to all participants, young or old. Furthermore, young people like being treated as grown-ups. When they are given respect, a degree of responsibility and hands-on experience in a supervised and controlled atmosphere, they respond with equal respect and reverence for the lessons being imparted to them and the many skills they are developing.
Supervised hunting too teaches a number of important life lessons to juniors. They learn about the lifecycles of animals and where food (both for humans and other animals) comes from and increase their respect and understanding for animals. They also develop a realistic approach to animals and the environment and the ways in which flora and fauna can be managed and protected, as opposed to the idealistic ‘lock it up and leave it alone’ mentality of the antis, which is often futile or just downright irresponsible and damaging to the environment.
Recreational hunting and sports shooting are also great ways for parents, extended family members and friends to bond and share the outdoors with their children and other youngsters. This is exemplified in this month’s ‘60 Minutes in the bush’ article about SSAA member Colleen Turra and her family’s keen interest in hunting. Colleen and her husband Michael say they have no regrets about raising their children to be hunters and believe it has taught them some very important life lessons. Passing on these life lessons is all the more important and sacred too when you consider the busy lives we all live these days.
It is for these reasons and many more that SSAA National encourages junior participation and membership. It is also why we publish The Junior Shooter magazine - a publication dedicated solely to educating, as well as entertaining, our junior members. Now in its fourth issue, we are proud to say that The Junior Shooter is going from strength to strength. We have had considerable positive feedback about it, both from junior and adult members alike, and look forward to bringing you more issues in the future.
If you haven’t received a copy of The Junior Shooter or would like to read previous issues, contact the SSAA Media & Publications office on 08 8272 7100 or go to www.australianshooter.com.au
Bob Green
SSAA National President
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