A distribution map of BASC’s membership of more than 140,000 shows people who take part in shooting sports live in city, town, coast and countryside and dispels any myth about shooting being solely a rural issue. BASC, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, is the UK’s largest shooting organisation.
BASC Chairman Alan Jarrett said: “Anyone who believes shooting is simply a countryside issue is very much mistaken. We hope that all candidates for the General Election will sit up and take note of the fact that people who shoot come from all backgrounds and all areas of the UK. They shoot and they vote.”
The latest independent research shows that more than 600,000 people regularly shoot with shotguns and rifles across all disciplines from target shooting to live quarry. A further 1.6 million people regularly shoot airguns. Shooting generates some £2 billion for the economy every year and supports the equivalent of 74,000 full-time jobs.*
BASC Chief Executive Richard Ali said: “It is important that politicians recognise the value of shooting. From Olympic gold medal winners such as Peter Wilson and Richard Faulds to the local rabbit controller, shooting plays an important part in the life of the nation. Shooting is inclusive and this map blows apart any preconceptions that people might have about shooting being a rural niche issue. BASC members come from all walks of life and are as likely to be living in our towns and cities as in the countryside.”
“Shooting is good for the economy, good for the countryside and good for social well-being and we are determined to deliver that message to all political parties.”
ENDS
(*source Value of Shooting 2014)
The Value of Shooting report can be seen here
An infographic of the report’s main findings can be downloaded here
The BASC election website can be found here
For more information please call the BASC press office on 01244 573052 or email press@0ld.basc.org.uk