 The World Forum on The Future of Sport Shooting ActivitiesWFSA News and InformationDecember 2006 Latest NewsDecember 11, 2006Chinese moves hinder Olympic sport shootingThe Chinese authorities have announced severe increases in restrictions on local sport shooting, closing down four of Beijing's eight shooting ranges. According to the South China Morning Post, the Chief of Police, Ma Zhenchuan, issued a statement saying, "Beijing will no longer approve commercial shooting ranges and hunting ranges, and sports authorities are required to reduce the number of shooting ranges for training purposes and cut down on the number of guns." The stated purpose for the move is to increase security for the Olympics of 2008. It requires those within existing sporting organizations to have access to no more firearms, capping gun inventories at present numbers. This in particular has angered the shooting community. In general, future shooting talent is fostered at local clubs, and these have been heavily hit by the change in official attitude. China, like India, is an emerging nation in terms of competitive shooting, and sports teams are keen to compete. Chen Wang, speaking for the General Administration of Sports, said the local Olympic team would all be training at the new Olympic shooting range in the Badachu district of Beijing. However, this range is not yet completed, nor has an opening date been set. It is unlikely to be in operation before the end of 2007. The article also suggested that the moves have drawn trenchant criticism on various internet blogs. December 7, 2006World Wildlife Fund speaks for hunting in ArmeniaA story has come out through Arminfo, the Armenian news agency, concerning the World Wildlife Fund's support for laws providing a hunting season. In Yerevan, at the office of the Arhus Ecology Centre, the first draft of the laws has already been aired publicly. In order to diminish poaching and to sustain local animal populations of both quarry and non-quarry species, Karen Manvelyan, the representative of the Caucasian Office of the World Wildlife Fund in Armenia, says that hunting should be officially acknowledged. Manvelyan, according to the article, has argued that the percentages of less common animals to be harvested should under world best practice be capped at half of one per cent, with fifty per cent of funds gained thereby going into habitat preservation to benefit the species. Some species would of course be entirely protected, according to their scarcity. In addition, Manvelyan is cited as saying that in global practice, hunting grounds should be located near national parks, with the aim of keeping hunters involved and interested in extensive care and funding of different species, and guarding against poaching. December 6, 2006UN plans new meetings on firearmsIn an organizational session of the United Nations Disarmament Commission, the newly-elected Chairman, Elbio Rosselli of Uruguay, signalled renewed efforts to produce internationally binding legislation concerning small arms. The Chairman said that previous efforts have not found a way to regulate the illicit trade in conventional arms. The Conference on Disarmament and also the Small Arms and Light Weapons Review Conference both failed to reach consensus. The present moves are towards the introduction of a new international treaty on the global trade in conventional arms, following a series of resolutions adopted by recommendation of the Disarmament and International Security (First) Committee. The Disarmament Commission is scheduled to meet from April 9 to 27, 2007. There are two working groups. One is to deal with nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, and a second, chaired by Carlos Duarte of Brazil, is to tackle questions relating to conventional arms. Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General, issued a statement welcoming the move in the direction of a treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons. The statement said: "While there are still many steps to be taken to forge a consensus to this end, the resolution represents the first formal step towards developing common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional weapons. The Secretary-General notes that unregulated trade in these weapons currently contributes to conflict, crime and terrorism, and undermines international efforts for peace and development." December 5, 2006Call for junior shooting age to be lowered in Northern IrelandThe Countryside Alliance has spoken out against the present requirement for sporting shotgun shooters in Northern Ireland who are beginning to shoot under supervision to be at least sixteen years of age. The Northern Ireland Office is still consulting with the public on the issue, with three options currently under consideration: keeping the present age of sixteen, lowering it to twelve, or doing away with it entirely. The Countryside Alliance is soon to make its case. Ronan Gornan, the chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, is quoted as saying: "Lots of young people in parts of the UK and Northern Ireland have very little to do and taking part in a highly organised and disciplined sport with an exemplary safety record might be good for them." It is very common practice worldwide for juniors to be introduced to shooting by their parents, and trained in safety. Experience teaches that the earlier the introduction takes place the better the safety message is incorporated. December 1, 2006Police being armed in LiberiaThe Liberian police, disarmed three years ago under the terms of a peace agreement ending fourteen years of civil war, are now being selectively re-outfitted after arms donations from Nigeria. The issuing of arms to police has come about as the UN arms embargo has been partially lifted. The capital of Monrovia has suffered an increase in extremes of criminal behaviour in the form of murderous gang activity and armed robbery. This has increased to the point where the government has requested members of local communities to form vigilante groups to fight back against the expanding machete gangs. Many have responded. It is widely acknowledged that the police have been unable to deal with the gangs, and relations between the police force and the community have consequently deteriorated. UN peacekeepers are now combining to patrol with local police. Disclaimer: Posting of an article on the WFSA website does not constitute an endorsement by the WFSA of any view, policy position, statement or averred fact contained within the article. Articles are made available for informational purposes only. |
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