Keen shooters from the SSAA volunteered their time and skills to put a group of federal politicians through the paces of pistol shooting at the first Parliamentary Friends of Shooting range day since the group was relaunched. The SSAA ACT Majura Complex provided the perfect setting on a sunny Canberra day in November, with all federal parliamentarians and their staffers invited to try the safe, fun and all-abilities sport of shooting.
Seasoned pistol shooters and vocal supporters of the shooting sports, Western Australia Liberal MP Ian Goodenough and New South Wales Liberal Democrat David Leyonhjelm, showed off their sharp-shooting skills, while Liberal Queensland MP Ross Vasta displayed some prowess despite less experience with short arms. Staffers representing other politicians also attended the event, gaining invaluable firsthand knowledge of the shooting sports.
Co-chair of the Friends of Shooting group, Nationals Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie, said the occasion provided her colleagues with the chance to talk one-on-one with shooters and the SSAA about the shooting sports.
“The aim of the Parliamentary Friends of Shooting group is to expose its members to all different types of shooting sports throughout the parliamentary term,” she said. “It’s not often we get a chance to shoot up Canberra but this time it was really a great day. It was also the chance to get a message across about the rights of responsible licenced gun owners to enjoy their sport.”
A range of politicians who support, or have an interest in the shooting sports, make up the friendship group, which is co-chaired by Labor MP Anthony Byrne. The SSAA-LA attended the official relaunch at Parliament House and will work with the group to host future events.