Late last year we at Drapers were delighted to have been interviewed by the GTA for those of you who missed the article we’ve decided to archive what we said here.
Having been in Nottingham since 1975 and specialising in the airgun trade, I would like to think we know our customers very well by now. All ages and from all walks of life, we welcome parents/grandparents coming in with their children to start teaching them this sport, along with older customers wanting to relive their youth! Airguns are also the perfect solution to vermin control without the need of a licence.
We find that even despite huge advances in airguns since opening the shop, still popular with new shooters are break barrel air rifles. A basic package averages around £200. This sets it far below the entry cost of a PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) rifle which can cost up to several thousand pounds. These are powered from a tank of compressed air fitted on to the gun and can legally run up to a limit of 12ft/lb without the need for a licence. New shooters can get to grips with the hobby before investing in bottles or compressors.
Covid has hit every industry hard this past year, but we were surprised to register an increase in the garden shooting side of the hobby, with most of our Click and Collect orders being done by those wanting to buy their first gun to shoot targets in their back garden during the periods of lockdown. We now find many of these new shooters are returning to the shop to take up more serious target shooting as clubs re-open.
Among the younger shooters we have seen an increase in the replica CO2 pistol market with many wanting to own something close to their favourite action movie star or video game character. With the advances of realism in modern air pistols, owning a Beretta or Glock has become more feasible. But the line between replica and real steel has become more blurred and we worry about those wanting to own an airgun who may not know the law surrounding the hobby as a whole.
I am hoping to work very closely with Lin and the Gun Trade Association to get some clarity for all of us as Registered Firearms Dealers to ensure our security within the law, as we feel some areas are rather sketchy and difficult when we want to find answers. We have questions regarding the posting of guns, both repaired and new, and the couriers we use. Also blank firing guns and postage. Plus the home defence guns that are on the market now. These are some of the questions that we ourselves have asked the GTA, who know the ins and outs of the dos and don’ts!
Being part of the GTA has helped us tremendously as a company and we encourage other RFDs to be part of this great team.
Drapers are moving forward and expanding in a positive direction for our shooters, by expanding our RFD to sell more gun specifications so we can cater to more of the marksmanship hobby. We look forward to working closely with you and your team.
