Safe Shot Assessment – Northern Ireland

There are four BASC Safe Shot Assessments:

• Shotgun
• Airgun
• Rifle
• Target handgun

The assessment gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their confident and safe use of firearms when used for live quarry shooting and target shooting (handgun) on approved ranges.

Safe Shot Assessments are not competence tests, nor are they training courses. Each assessment was designed with the experienced live quarry or target shooter in mind to allow formal recognition of their ability to safely handle that particular type of firearm when taking part in the different types of shooting disciplines.

Each Safe Shot Assessment consists of three sections:

1. Multi-choice questions – These will assess the candidate’s knowledge around subjects such as loading, unloading, secure storage and transportation of firearms
2. Firearm handling – A practical assessment of the candidate’s safety knowledge, for example, muzzle awareness and trigger discipline
3. Live shooting – A range based practical assessment of the candidate’s ability to confidently and safely handle a firearm and achieve a reasonable level of accuracy

The rifle, airgun and target handgun Safe Shot Assessments are carried out in the controlled environment of a PSNI Approved Range.  Shotgun Safe Shot Assessments can be done on a suitable green field site.

The Shotgun Safe Shot Assessment is open to anyone aged 16 or over. Candidates taking any of the assessments will be required to complete an Article 63 declaration stating that they are not prohibited under Article 63 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 or Section 21 of the Firearms Act 1968.

Each assessment takes about 20 minutes to complete and costs only £30. On successful completion, candidates will be issued with a certificate and a BASC Safe Shot Award pin.

If you live in Northern Ireland and would like to take part in BASC Safe Shot, please contact the BASC NI office on 028 9260 5050 or email.