Clubs will not be granted approval unless they meet the criteria set out below. These criteria translate into conditions of the approval, if granted. Approved clubs which fail to meet these conditions can expect approval to be withdrawn.
the club is a genuine target shooting club with a written constitution (see note 2)
the principal officers of the club are responsible people who can be entrusted with the proper administration of the club (see notes 3 and 4)
the club has at least 10 members at the time of application and at all times whilst approved unless, exceptionally, the Secretary of State or Scottish Government determines that there are special circumstances which justify a lesser number
members are of good character (also see notes 3 and 4)
the club must appoint a member to act as a liaison officer with the police, and the chief officer of police must have confidence that this person is providing the police with such information as they require to ensure that the activities of the club and its members are conducted properly and safely in accordance with the criteria and give no cause for concern (see Annex A to this guidance and notes 1 and 5 below)
the club will maintain a register of the attendance of all members together with details for each visit of the firearms which they used (see note 6)
the club will inform the police of any person, other than a guest member, who has ceased to be a member for whatever reason (see notes 1 and 7)
the club will inform the police of any member, other than a guest member, who has not shot with the club for a period of 12 months (see notes 1 and 7)
the club will inform the police of any application for membership, giving the applicant’s full name and address, date and place of birth, and the date on which they become a full member (see notes 1 and 8)
no application for full or probationary membership will be granted unless the applicant has informed the club of whether he or she has ever had an application for a firearm or shotgun certificate refused by the police, or had a certificate revoked (see note 9)
members, prospective members and guest members must sign a declaration that they are not prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition by virtue of section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968 (which applies to persons who have served a term of imprisonment or been given a suspended sentence of 3 months or longer) (also see note 9)
the club has regular use of ranges for the categories of firearm in respect of which approval is being sought or given, as the case may be. Adequate financial arrangements must be in place to meet any injury or damage claim (see note 10)
the security arrangements for the storage of club firearms and ammunition are satisfactory (see notes 1 and 11)
the club does not run a day or temporary membership scheme, other than for guest members within the constraints of paragraphs O and P below (see note 12)
guest members must be: members of a recognised outside organisation; people who are known personally to at least one full member of the club; members of another approved club visiting as members of that club; or visitors possessing firearms that fall within the terms of the club’s approval and that are held on their personal Firearm Certificate or Visitor’s permit or Permit under section 7 of the 1968 Firearms Act (see note 13)
the club does not have more than 12 guest days a year – guest members, (other than members of another approved club or visitors with a firearm certificate, visitor’s permit or permit under section 7 of the 1968 Firearms Act as above,) may only shoot during a guest day, and must be supervised on a one-to-one basis at all times when handling firearms and ammunition by either a full club member or someone who is a coach recognised by the governing bodies; the club secretary must notify each guest day to the police firearms licensing department of the area in which the guest day is to take place at least 48 hours in advance (see notes 1 and 13)
anyone who applies for membership must be sponsored by at least one full club member
before becoming a full member, individuals must have a probationary period of at least 3 months during which time they must attend and shoot regularly; the probationary member must be given a course in the safe handling and use of firearms on a one-to-one basis by someone who is either a full member of the club or who is a coach with a qualification recognised by the governing bodies (see notes 14,15 and 16)
until a probationary member has satisfactorily completed a course in the safe handling and use of firearms, he/she must be supervised at all times when in possession of firearms or ammunition by either the range officer, a full member of the club, or someone who is a coach with a qualification recognised by the governing bodies (see notes 14 and 15)
the probationary period may be waived, at the club’s discretion, for someone who is already a full member of another club which has been approved by the Secretary of State or Scottish Government in respect of the same type or types of firearm; or holds a Firearm Certificate; or has handled firearms in the course of his/her duty in the police or the armed services, and has a statement from his/her existing or former senior/commanding officer saying that he/she is fully trained in handling the type of firearms in respect of which the club has obtained approval and is able to use them safely without supervision (see notes 14 and 17)
the club never has more probationary members than full members unless the Secretary of State determines that there are special circumstances which justify a greater number of probationary members (see note 18)
there is nothing else that would make the club unsuitable for approval.
If approval is granted, the approval will be subject to a set of standard conditions which will reflect the approval criteria listed above. In certain cases, the Secretary of State may attach further specific conditions to a club’s approval.