Disability / Adapted Shooting

Target Shooting is a highly inclusive sport for those with physical or mental handicaps.

Adapted shooting can be applied to all of the NRA’s shooting disciplines, meaning once there is a type of shooting you want to get involved with, there will be a way of making it work for you.

If the disciplines that you particularly fancy is not suitable for your type of disability at the moment, or is not currently available in your area, do not give up hope! The key skills for target shooting are very similar for all disciplines, so you could start with a different but similar option, learn those key skills, and take up your first choice when it is available to you.

• Civilian Service Rifle: A firer who has a physical disability (temporary or permanent) which prevents the use of a position specified in the match conditions may assume the next most
  difficult position instead. The following substitutions are among those permitted:
  • Sitting instead of Prone
  • Kneeling instead of Sitting
  • Standing instead of Kneeling
  • Kneeling unsupported (either on two knees or on one knee without resting the elbow on the knee) instead of Standing
• If an event requires firers to move from a start
  position to adopt the firing position, a firer is allowed to pre-adopt the firing position due to a disability (temporary or permanent). The firer must not engage their target until at least one firer following the procedure set by the match conditions has fired 

• Gallery Rifle & Pistol: Competitors who are physically unable to adopt a position specified in a particular course of fire can apply to use an alternative position. The Meeting Director will determine which, if any alternative position(s) the competitor will be allowed to use. The competitor will normally be allowed to adopt the next most difficult position applicable to the event, and may
  include:
  • Sitting instead of Prone
  • Kneeling (either on two knees or on one knee without resting the elbow on the knee) instead of Sitting
  • Standing (strong or weak shoulder/hand) instead of Kneeling, Sitting or Prone
  • Kneeling (either on two knees or on one knee without resting the elbow on the knee) instead of Standing 
  • If a competitor is only able to shoot from a wheelchair, the firearm must be fully supported by the competitor’s arms which cannot themselves be supported by any part of the chair

• • Bench rest: More information coming soon

• Match Rifle: Typically shot from the prone (or supine) position, however competitors with disabilities which prevent them from shooting positions may be permitted to shoot seated at a table.
  • Competitors can request this upon entry of the competition
  • For more specific information see paragraph 156 of the NRA Handbook

• F Class and Target Rifle: Ruling is currently being looked into by the Shooting Committee, to adopt a practice similar to Match Rifle. Currently competitors can apply to the Shooting Committee (under paragraph 134 of the NRA Handbook) who may permit a modification to the firearm, clothing, equipment or technique of a physically disabled competitor as may assist them to compete on equal terms with other competitors 

• Sporting Rifle: No specific rules have yet been defined, but when entering an NRA event competitors can apply for similar dispensation to Gallery Rifle & Pistol

• Target Shotgun: Competitors who are physically unable to adopt a position specified in a particular course of fire can apply to use an alternative position. The Meeting Director will determine which, if any alternative position(s) the competitor will be allowed to use. The competitor will normally be allowed to adopt the next most difficult position applicable to the event, and may
  include:
  • Sitting instead of Prone
  • Kneeling instead of Sitting
  • Standing (strong or weak shoulder/hand) instead of Kneeling, Sitting or Prone
  • Kneeling unsupported instead of Standing 
  • If a competitor is only able to shoot from a wheelchair, the firearm must be fully
    supported by the competitor’s arms which cannot themselves be supported by
    any part of the chair

Check to see if the Club you are interested in have level access, wide doorframes and suitable toilet facilities for those with mobility issues

At the National Shooting Centre (Bisley) there are following access features:

• Concrete ramp to access specific lanes on the 600x firing point
• Vehicles may be driven onto Century and Stickledown range for blue badge holders. The only exception is if there has been excess rainfall
• Wheelchair access to Melville, Cheylesmore and Winans covered ranges

Almost all target shooting can be adapted to allow for physical disabilities please contact competitions@nra.org.uk if you have a specific question about an NRA Competition

The Adaptive Championships: This specific Competition is run during the Imperial Meeting for injured Serving and Ex-Serving military personnel from British or Overseas Forces. For more information please CLICK HERE

We are pleased to offer a wide range of courses for different shooting disciplines, and are happy to create an adapted environment to allow you to take part.

Our courses can be found online via: www.online.nra.org.uk/courses