Steven Mace
02-04-2002, 05:08 AM
Shooting is good for you
By Our Staff
04/02/2002
An overwhelming majority of the British public – some 77% – believes that learning to shoot is better for children than playing violent computer games or watching adult films. This is one of the main findings in a new consumer survey conducted by the Consumer Analysis Group and commissioned by the Countryside Alliance (CA).
Encouraging though this news is, the survey also reveals that the British public has absolutely no idea about the safety of shooting, and little understanding of its place in society. Many wrongly thought shooting a statistically risky activity, second only to horse-riding – the fact is that it’s linked to fewer serious accidents than low-risk activities like swimming and bowls.
“Responsible youth organisations, such as the army cadets and sea cadets, as well as countless rural and farming families, have long known that learning how to use legal firearms early in their development and under proper supervision is beneficial for children,” said Chris Jackson, the CA’s English National Director. ”It demystifies any unhealthy glamour or allure of firearms and encourages a prudent attitude that stays with children throughout adult life. Learning about shooting encourages children to be safety-conscious and to exhibit a mature, responsible attitude towards firearms – an especially needed counterbalance to the worrying trend amongst many young people, who have never been properly exposed to firearm use under supervision, towards viewing firearms as some kind of fashion accessory or symbol of power.”
Safety issues and the benefits for young people aside, the survey also demonstrated how few people were aware of the benefits of shooting for the British countryside – just 5% realised the importance of shooting sports for conservation. Moreover, most Britons seem unaware that their country has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the world, second only second to Japan. Significantly, around one-third of those who had previously disapproved of shooting changed their minds when they knew more.
A similarly low percentage of people (8%), were aware how popular shooting is with the disabled – it’s 25 times more popular than archery, which was thought to be a favourite disabled person’s sport.
“The survey strongly suggests that many people’s concerns about legitimate shooting is based on false assumptions or misunderstandings,” said Jackson,”and that when they know the facts and are able to decide logically rather than emotionally, their opinions on shooting do shift in favour of the sport.”
http://www.leadshot.com/story.asp?id=443
Steve Mace
By Our Staff
04/02/2002
An overwhelming majority of the British public – some 77% – believes that learning to shoot is better for children than playing violent computer games or watching adult films. This is one of the main findings in a new consumer survey conducted by the Consumer Analysis Group and commissioned by the Countryside Alliance (CA).
Encouraging though this news is, the survey also reveals that the British public has absolutely no idea about the safety of shooting, and little understanding of its place in society. Many wrongly thought shooting a statistically risky activity, second only to horse-riding – the fact is that it’s linked to fewer serious accidents than low-risk activities like swimming and bowls.
“Responsible youth organisations, such as the army cadets and sea cadets, as well as countless rural and farming families, have long known that learning how to use legal firearms early in their development and under proper supervision is beneficial for children,” said Chris Jackson, the CA’s English National Director. ”It demystifies any unhealthy glamour or allure of firearms and encourages a prudent attitude that stays with children throughout adult life. Learning about shooting encourages children to be safety-conscious and to exhibit a mature, responsible attitude towards firearms – an especially needed counterbalance to the worrying trend amongst many young people, who have never been properly exposed to firearm use under supervision, towards viewing firearms as some kind of fashion accessory or symbol of power.”
Safety issues and the benefits for young people aside, the survey also demonstrated how few people were aware of the benefits of shooting for the British countryside – just 5% realised the importance of shooting sports for conservation. Moreover, most Britons seem unaware that their country has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the world, second only second to Japan. Significantly, around one-third of those who had previously disapproved of shooting changed their minds when they knew more.
A similarly low percentage of people (8%), were aware how popular shooting is with the disabled – it’s 25 times more popular than archery, which was thought to be a favourite disabled person’s sport.
“The survey strongly suggests that many people’s concerns about legitimate shooting is based on false assumptions or misunderstandings,” said Jackson,”and that when they know the facts and are able to decide logically rather than emotionally, their opinions on shooting do shift in favour of the sport.”
http://www.leadshot.com/story.asp?id=443
Steve Mace