Around 30 people from NSW Parliament, including parliamentary staff and politicians, enjoyed a day on the range for a Try Shooting event at the International Shooting Centre, Cecil Park on 10 May.
They say it is good to have friends in Parliament, but while firearms owners might think NSW Parliament is often not very friendly towards shooting as a sport, that idea was challenged by the event.
Many of those who accepted the invitation to have a shoot had never handled a gun before, and others hadn’t shot for years.
The politicians who took part included Roy Butler, Member for Barwon; Phil Donato, Member for Orange; Michael Kemp, Member for Oxley; Lynda Voltz, Member for Auburn; Nathan Hagarty, Member for Leppington; and Emily Suvaal and Rachel Merton, both Members of the Legislative Council (MLC).
Several other MPs had accepted the invitation but sent their apologies because they had a funeral to go to, but all of them sent staff members in their place.
Special guests included Federal MP and Olympic shooter Dan Repacholi, Member for the Hunter, as well as gold medallist Suzy Balogh, who both had a shoot alongside some of the novices.
The Try Shooting day was made possible by the Shooting Industry Foundation of Australia (SIFA) and its members Beretta Australia, NIOA, TSA Outdoors and Winchester, who sent representatives to answer questions.
The event was arranged under the auspices of the Parliamentary Friends of Shooting and Outdoor Recreation, a group formed last year by Mr Butler and Mr Donato. Both members are keen shooters and strong advocates in parliament for law-abiding firearms owners.
Parliamentary Friends groups have been around for a long time and are a way of allowing parliamentarians to meet with people, groups or organisations outside parliament who share a particular interest or concern.
It allows community groups, industry representatives, or enthusiasts access to parliamentarians usually in a more relaxed, informal atmosphere.
Parliamentary Friendship groups can help better inform parliamentarians and provide a direct kind of access to parliamentarians.
They can have a different influence than formal lobby groups.
“It was a great day,” Mr Butler said. “Everyone had fun — there was a bit of competition between some of the members.
“The buzz seemed to last when everyone returned for the next sitting week. Many of those who were there told others at Parliament what a great time they had, and we expect to have to cap numbers when we hold the next event.
“It really shows shooting in its most positive light: a safe, fun way to spend a day, to mix and mingle with others enjoying the same activity.”
James Walsh, CEO of SIFA, agreed and said the event helped “remove the mystique from our industry”.
“We see it partly as an education that allows our policy makers to see our industry and our sport for what it is. We want those who regulate our industry to know what a safe sport it is.
“They’re often very surprised when they see how it is run.
“And shooting is fun. The smiles tell a good story.”
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