Indians For Guns

Hi,

This article appeared in todays Hindustan Times Delhi edition "Unholy nexus eating into sport's edifice"


Here is the link
http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-ne ... 35056.aspx

Along with above mentioned article following also appeared in the same addition. Here is the link:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-ne ... 35052.aspx

Rgds,
Biren

but i think all of this is in the past because the latest notification allows district associations affiliated through their state units with NRAI ,to directly import weapons
ds

As long as the import policy being what it is,this will continue.NRAI was created to promote shooting sports but it has done everything but that.

Import of firearms is dependent upon a person achieving the MQS.MQS is decided by the NRAI.Considering the handicaps a new shooter faces,you would imagine that the MQS would be kept low so that more are able to qualify for import. However the NRAI seems to raise the bar every time the govt. tries to make things easier.

The MQS was revised upwards the moment it was decided that instead of just the top 10 or 20 shooters anyone who achieved it could import arms. A lot of people have made a s**t load of money through the import policy.Why would they want anything to change?

NRAI's store rooms are bursting at the seams with ammo. but they will not sell anything to it's members.

If I were the cynical types,I would think that after making money from the purchase,shipping and handling they wish to make more money by creating an artificial scarcity in the market.However since I am not a cynic I will not think like that

All of these allegations are pretty well known among the shooting community. It has been this way for decades and it is one of the reasons why the restriction on import of firearms is there.
The question is whether some minister will take this cause up and get things changed?

Warm Regards,

Dev

Sports have become a business whenever there is any success. Make money out of the trend, has been the motto. If BCCI makes so much money in the name of cricket and it's commercial success why should not NRAI ride on the success of Indian shooters? Afterall, we can boast of world record holders and olympic champions.

It is a shame and I am shocked to know the reason. I pay an equivalent Rs. 270 max for a box of RWS Club (medium quality and it is largely sufficient for me) pellets here in France, almost the same for a box of 50 rounds of .22LR of SK Standard brand (again medium quality which is largely sufficient for me) which is a Lapua company and an amazing Rs.180 for a box of 50 rounds of .22LR (CCI standard velocity) for practice. All these prices include 19.6% of VAT which goes to the Govt. exchequer.

No wonder, I can shoot thousands of shots in a year.

best regards
tirpassion

I do not think the situation reported is correct, nor is the NRAI store rooms bursting at the seams with ammo

Prior to Mr Naveen Jindal opening up import of ammo to shooters, the situation was indeed difficult, and to some extent it is not that easy for a new shooter who doesnt know other shooters. Still the fact that there are more and more new shooters coming into the sport each year means something is right somewhere, although the pace could be higher, but the issue of the ethics of some shooters is holding back reforms.

skeetshot wrote: Still the fact that there are more and more new shooters coming into the sport each year

Not because of the NRAI but inspite of the NRAI. Tell me one thing, IF I become a member and turn up at their shop without a 'recommendation' will they even tell me the time of the day?

There is nothing preventing the NRAI from reducing the MQS to enable new shooters to import arms and ammunition.They will not do that. What does the NRAI have to lose if it does that ? All that they give is a piece of paper.The shooter importing is the one paying for the gun and ammo. It is the govt. that waives off custom duty. The more active shooters there are the more the resources to develop shooting facilities.Also the NRAI's voice will carry more weightage with the govt. Revise the MQS to a level achievable by some one using the banged up pieces available in the market.

Naveen Jindal has done a lot.However there is only so much one man can do.Also,relying on one person has its own pitfalls.

Have a major membership drive for the NRAI.That is possible only if the NRAI can offer something in return.Something concrete like arms and ammunition. Also would help to throw out the leeches in the NRAI office Make the NRAI an organization that MP's seek out for support rather than what it is now,feeding off the scraps that the govt. throws its way

Winne has hit the nail. NRAI & state associations should have encouraged more and more ppl to participate by providing access to ranges, quality ammo & equipment. This would have bought this sport close to general public & removed the taboo assoicated with gun.

The problem seems to be the blinkered approach these associations have adopted, where they find their fiefdom getting challanged. In short these guys are grossly incompetent. If at all these so called associations were doing their jobs... black marketing... three times the prices, stories would have been bygone.. Remember before the restrictions sccoters, cars were all in black with shoddy quality

Ideal scenario would be:

- Active Associations tranaslating into:
- A strong lobby group which will push for ranges for civilians. If not self owned ranges then access to police/army ranges.
- Better quality ammo (off course at reasonable rate) accessories.
- Club weapons (available to all sundry for practice)
- Holding of weapon handling classes for newbies.
- Making weapons as common sight as cricket bat
& the list goes on & on..

And no body is asking for subsidy or free goodies... Only question is wat for these associations are... to enrich their office bearers?

Cheers
Biren



Cheers,
Biren