Industry News
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Firearms Act 2023 given Royal Assent
Longthorne secures U.S. import approval for LHP Pistol Viking Arms honoured
Viking Arms has been formally recognised by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for its outstanding support to the Armed Forces. Viking Arms was one of 17 companies and organisations in the Yorkshire and Humber Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) area to be awarded the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver award for 2023.
3D printed firearms
An Amber Alert for 3D printed firearms has been issued by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA). This is based on assessed intelligence and warns of dangers and threats from serious organised criminality. It is devised with the aim of bringing about preventative or remedial action. They recommend you use this Alert to complement existing knowledge and support ongoing improvements to your business processes and procedures. Report your concerns to interknow@nca.gov.uk
Pheasant plucker paucity
A shortage of pluckers means pheasant and other wild game could disappear from Britain’s supermarket shelves. Game dealers, butchers and chefs say the birds are becoming more expensive to process because of a lack of skilled labour to pluck them. There has been a dramatic drop in the number of seasonal workers from Europe coming to the UK to fill game processing jobs since Brexit.
Glorious Game returns to H&H Shooting Grounds
Building on its success at the 2022 event, Eat Wild has announced that Glorious Game is to return to the Great British Game Week (6-12 November 2023) agenda for a second year, with an enhanced format. Great British Game Week is a celebration of wild game, promoted by Eat Wild in partnership with BASC’s Eat Game initiative. Now in its seventh year, the week-long promotion will be a focus for events, dinners, and special offers promoting game to consumers across the UK. Louisa Clutterbuck, CEO of Eat Wild, said: “Eat Wild will provide the wild meat for the day and give a presentation. Our mission is not only to encourage more people to taste game, but to educate them about the benefits of cooking with it an accessible joy.”
Longthorne Gunmakers has announced that the Longthorne LHP Pistol has received official approval for importation into the United States. This marks a significant step in Longthorne’s commitment to delivering exceptional firearms to discerning shooters and collectors in the U.S. market. The LHP Pistol combines classic aesthetics with modern precision. It is designed to provide a superior shooting experience through its unique combination of artistry and advanced engineering. This pistol is available in a variety of finishes, grip styles,
and calibre’s to suit the individual preferences of discerning shooters. Said Elaine Stewart, Marketing Director for Longthorne: “This import approval is a testament to our dedication to providing exceptional firearms to enthusiasts and professionals. We look forward to sharing the Longthorne experience with American shooters and collectors.” For more information about the Longthorne LHP Pistol and its availability in the United States, visit longthorneguns.com
The new 2023 Firearms Act has finally been given Royal Assent. This Act covers the requirement for a person operating a miniature rifle range to have a firearms certificate and for the rifles to be limited to .22 rimfire cartridges. It continues to allow people to shoot on the range without themselves having a firearms certificate. Secondly, it provides a new offence where a person has any ammunition component with an intent to manufacture Section One ammunition without authority. This is to “prevent criminals unlawfully manufacturing ammunition”. It brings no new controls on brass cases or bullets, or on reloading for those licensed to do so. Key here is the intent to manufacture without licences, which the police would have to prove, and the burden for that is high. Included in the Act is the requirement for the Home Secretary to bring into force the relevant sections of the Act by Statutory Instrument. This would normally come with a Home Office circular and an amendment to the Guide to Firearms Licensing Law.
Blaser’s aser’s autumn/winter HunTec collection Everyone who slips into HunTec jackets and trousers for the first time immediately feels lightness and freedom of movement. Both are the result of completely new, patented cut shapes and state-of-the-art, lightweight materials. These are not only very durable, but also ensure the ideal microclimate on the body. This applies to every part of the HunTec collection, whose jackets and trousers are designed for very different climatic conditions. HunTec’s new collection has been available in specialist shops since September and can of course also be ordered from the Blaser Store. Highlights of the collection include:
The Men’s Challenger Airflake Jacket, a lightweight, quick-drying thermal jacket with a small pack volume. The exterior is made of ultra-light 15D polyamide with a DWR treatment that repels light rain. The filling is made of Airflake fibres, the synthetic equivalent of duck down. The Men’s Reversible Vest Endeavor, part of the insulation concept of HunTec. The light padding provides light insulation and thus sufficient warmth with good breathability. It keeps you warm but is also extremely lightweight, wind- and water-repellent, and guarantees full freedom of motion. It also features a small pack size.
The Men’s Merino Base 160 T, a 100% merino wool crew neck T-shirt that keeps you warm all year round. The superfine merino wool provides a pleasantly soft feeling on the skin. Mulesing-free!
TSP launches M16 BB gun The Shooting Party has launched the Lee Enfield Guns M16 A1 CO2-powered rifle in 4.5mm steel BB format, as part of the ‘Brothers in Arms’ series of replica iconic 20th-century combat weapons produced by Lee-Enfield (Guns) Ltd. The M16 is a family of military rifles adapted from the ArmaLite AR-15 that was officially accepted into service by the U.S. military in 1964 to replace the M14. It was deployed in Vietnam the following year and has featured prominently in several films, including Apocalypse Now. In 1969 the M16 A1 became the US military’s standard service rifle and incorporated modifications including a bolt-assist, chrome-plated bore, protective reinforcement around the magazine release and a revised flash suppressor.
Said Mike Hurney, TSP Chairman, “Our CO2 -powered M16 A1 incinerates targets with blistering semi-auto shots and a real steel feel, fuelled by a single CO2 cartridge. It’s able to send .177 BBs downrange at over 495 fps. The replica features full-metal construction throughout the barrel, receiver, and the 18rd BB magazine.” SRP: £199.99
New beginnings on the horizon in Scotland’s upland deer sector Organisations and individuals across the Highlands have formed the Common Ground Forum (CGF). Initiated by the Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG) and Scottish Environment LINK with the aim of setting aside disagreements over deer management, the Forum includes deer stalkers, foresters, farmers, landowners, community representatives, nature conservationists and others. Tom Turnbull, ADMG Chairman, said: “While there are still differences in approach, there are also areas we can agree on. The Forum will endeavour to discuss some of the divisive topics and find solutions. Key to the process will be the deer managers
tasked with delivering challenging Scottish Government targets for climate and biodiversity.” Representing Scottish Environment LINK’s Deer Group, Duncan Orr-Ewing said: “Everyone is aware that change is coming as we look to respond to the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. The CGF offers a channel for building positive relationships that focus on solutions.” Lea McNally of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) said: “It’s refreshing to see the momentum as there are still significant issues to address as we try to achieve the Government’s aims for sustainable upland deer management.”
BGA scheme transfers to Aim to Sustain
British Game Assurance has transferred the BGA Assurance Scheme to Aim to Sustain. The move will allow BGA to focus its efforts on the vital task of securing a market for every bird shot. BGA’s game-meat marketing operation, Eat Wild, will remain a key driver of assurance. As of 1 November, Eat Wild will be the official development board for all wild meat, including venison. Not only has the retail market for game meat grown by almost 7% during the time of BGA’s operation, the Eat Wild campaign has modernised how BGA communicates with the public. As demand for lead-free birds distorts the market, a professional marketing and development operation is more vital than ever. Louisa Clutterbuck, CEO of Eat Wild and formerly British Game Assurance, said: “We believe this transfer to Aim to Sustain will propel assurance adoption to the next level, allowing our team to concentrate on the vital task of promoting game to the wider public.”
