Proposed new APRA Objectives

HeadDamage

HeadDamage

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Have a look at the old and the new and compare... if you are a member of the APRA I would vote against these new objectives.

This is the current objective of the APRA:

THE OBJECT OF THE A.P.R.A. IS:
(1) To promote in every lawful way the interests of small arms marksmanship in the Province of Alberta
(2) Without Restricting the generality of the Foregoing:
(a) To promote annual prize meetings for individuals and teams and to offer prizes for skill in shooting.
(b) To encourage the establishment and maintenance of suitable ranges through legislation and private means.
(c) To assist in the formation of shooting clubs.
(d) To create public interest for the encouragement of small arms shooting both as a sport and as a necessary means of national defence


These is the new objectives of the APRA that the leadership wants to change to:

Objectives of the Alberta Provincial Rifle Association
Version 2013-09-24v12
Objectives of the Alberta Provincial Rifle Association
ADOPTED: month dd yyyy

The Objectives of the Alberta Provincial Rifle Associations are:
To provide a fraternal society for persons interested in shooting sports.
To promote instruction, training and education of Association Members in shooting range and firearms safety.
To promote sport shooting proficiency within the Association membership.
To promote and allow Association Members the opportunity for friendly social activities.
To encourage and promote amateur shooting competitions for Association To affiliate with and support other organizations with similar interests.
To provide group insurance for Members involved in Association sponsored activities.
To consult with and advise Government with the formation of laws related to firearms control.


Looks to me like they have writen out any military shooting and they are circling the wagons to keep it a private club and not to encourage new shooters now that they have control of it.
 
Based on what is posted above, I would would Headamage says plus

To consult with and advise Government with the formation of laws related to firearms control.

That sounds like they want to part of the gun control lobby, working to further restrict firearms rights/freedoms to conform to their own, and I am assuming, narrow view. The wording is "formation of laws". That to me says NEW laws, not revision or removal of existing the laws that lawful firearms owners suffer under.

I hope that the membership can and will stand up to the executive and vote this down. It sounds to me that the executive of the APRA has become the enemy of gun owners in general. Most certainly they seem to have become the enemy of Service Rifle shooters.
 
It is possible their intentions are honourable, and only their phrasing is off base... perhaps the membership can lobby the executive to revise those items which appear to go against the best interests of the association.

Words to the effect of "To consult with and advise Government on the safe and legal possession and use of firearms for sport, recreation and security." might better convey the desires of the membership.

Just a comment from the cheap seats.
 
The Ontario Rifle Association support of the military (presenting matches and practices suitable for soldiers to join in) has been welcomed by the militia region. We run matches for them and they welcome us to use their multi-million dollar range facilities. A good deal for both parties.

To take out the reference to national defense is to ignore the APRA history. It is tantamount to burning a bridge and one never knows what future opportunities might be lost. I would leave it in. I recall once inviting an Engineering Battalion to run an exercise with their bulldozers to help build a range.

The reference to insurance is poorly worded. First, I would not make insurance an objective of the Association. It is a fringe benefit. An insurer might take a dim view of an Association that was created for the purpose of buying insurance. And I would not draft an objective that was so limiting as to define coverage as only relating to Association events. That might be all an insurer would offer, but I would start by asking for insurance to cover firearm related liabilities of members (however they might occur).

“To encourage and promote amateur shooting competitions for Association To affiliate with and support other organizations with similar interests.” I find this confusing and vague. Then first part looks like a valid objective. They second part is a minor issue, not a core objective.
Is this organization intended to support the shooting sports by organizing training and shooting opportunities? Or is it a lobby group? Can it be both? I think the voice of the APRA would be more credible if it was focused on the shooting sports and agreed to “To consult with and advise Government with respect sporting firearms issues.”
 
They should also look at the phrase Fraternal Society, and it's place within their promotion of the shooting sports for all. While I admire the nobility and sentiment behind the idea, it could be viewed as exclusionary and may result in fewer women and girls being interested in the APRA and it's programs. I'm sure a better term can be found. I realize the common usage of Fraternity is gender neutral, but the root is entirely masculine. Something like ...provide a thriving community... may be a better use. The whole thing seems kind of wishy-washy and lacking in concise goals for the Members (and non-members) to latch on to.
 
It seems to me that the shift in objectives here is one from promoting and expanding participation in shooting sports and maintaining as a part of our Provincial (and National) culture an interest and proficiency in shooting, to one of promoting and expanding the APRA, limiting outside-the-association activity, and in fact reducing in their stated objectives any SHOOTING at all.

This is not a positive direction AT ALL in my opinion.
 
The proposed changes are an interesting CHOICE of words. I would love to welcome the APRA back to the service rifle/service pistol fold. I Understand the APRA is a DCRA affiliate. If that is true how are they able to keep service rifle out of their program? If they aren't willing is someone else in AB? Thoughts?
 
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