NSSF clarification on false reporting on firearms used for Shooting
NSSF President, Shirantha Peries was critical on how the sport is ‘misread’
The National Shooting Sport Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF) and the shooting sport community of Sri Lanka, were taken by surprise when a news telecast in one of the leading electronic media institutions (on June 23) and subsequent newspaper articles communicated completely incorrect facts criminalising the shooting sport community of Sri Lanka.
It said that according to the Police spokesman, the firearm used by an individual, who supposedly committed suicide on June 12, where the body of the deceased was found in Torrington Square, was the same type of firearm used for the sport of shooting. It further stated that .22 (point 22) firearms required no licence.
“Firstly, it clearly shows that the individual responsible for such an irresponsible statement has no idea what is categorised as a firearm, according to the Firearm Act and has not seen a sporting firearm of the same calibre. The firearm used by the deceased individual to allegedly commit suicide was a .22 semi-automatic micro pistol. This kind of firearm is not used for competitions by the NSSF for any of its shooting disciplines,” the NSSF reiterated.
Another false fact that was telecast was that .22 calibre firearm does not need licencing. “This is completely false, because all .22 rifles and pistols coming under the purview of the NSSF are checked thoroughly and licenced annually,” it stated.
“So any attempt to degrade the stringent controls that have been put in place will only lead to expose those who make statements due to their lack of knowledge. Our technical teams within the NSSF shall be more than happy to conduct a full day workshop to educate and showcase the types of firearms that are used by the NSSF,” the statement added.
At NSSF, every single licenced firearm holder’s participation is closely monitored and all aspects are taken into consideration when renewing a firearm licence.
The issue of a firearm licence is an even more stringent procedure and thereby the NSSF maintains an unblemished record to date, the NSSF claimed.
“The 17 affiliates of the NSSF too have been maintaining absolute discipline within their associations and have contributed to the development of a large population of youth who are focused, intelligent, respectful, self-restrained and thoughtful about others and their surroundings. An ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) shooter can be easily recognised because they shine in society, through the qualities that have been inculcated into them through the sport and its training. Parents of children who have taken to the sport of shooting will bear witness to the same,” it said.
The NSSF appealed to the administrators and the society, to support their efforts to ultimately contribute to a disciplined, law abiding society through their carefully thought-out training programmes. “We encourage parents to introduce ISSF shooting to your child and observe the changes that you will notice in the making of a responsible productive disciplined citizen of Sri Lanka,” the NSSF stated.