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Target Sports

9b.3.1 Target Sports: Archery

Archery delivered as a Scout-led activity falls within the Adventurous Activity Permit Scheme, see POR 9a.7.

9b.3.1.1 Running archery events 
Archery must be run as specified in POR 9a.7, or the externally led archery page of scouts.org.uk 

9b.3.1.2 Prohibited targets
Shooting at targets representing human beings or animals is not permitted as a part of any Scout activity, or on property owned or leased by, or used in the name of, Scouts.   

This includes Archery Tag and other combat style archery activities as per POR 9a.1.2.4. 

9b.3.1.3 Crossbows 
The use of crossbows as an activity in Scouts is included in POR 9b.3.5 Shooting. 

9b.3.2 Target Sports: Fencing

9b.3.2.1 Standards and controls 
All fencing activities must be conducted using the standards and controls laid down by British Fencing.

9b.3.3 Target Sports: Laser games

9b.3.3.1 Parental permission 
Parental permission must be obtained before the activity for participants aged under 18 taking part in:

  1. laser games
  2. laser clay pigeon shooting

9b.3.4 Target Sports: Paintball games

9b.3.4.1 Approved providers and permissions 
When taking part in paintballing members must:

  1. use external operators who are members of the UK Paintball Association (UKPBA), the UK Paintball Sports Federation (UKPSF) or an equivalent body
  2. have obtained parental permission before the activity for all participants aged under 18.  

9b.3.5 Target Sports: Shooting

9b.3.5.1 Definition 
The term 'shooting' applies to shooting activities using firearms as defined in law (including air guns with energy greater than 1 Joule), and also to the use of crossbows with a draw weight of 1.4kg or greater and of re-enactment guns.

The term 'shooting' does not apply to paintballing, the use of laser guns and the use of toy guns.

9b.3.5.2 Prohibited targets 
Shooting at targets representing human beings or animals is not permitted as a part of any Scout activity, or on property owned or leased by, or used in the name of, the Scouts.

9b.3.5.3 Local considerations 
Before planning shooting as an activity, Leaders should take account of local feelings on shooting.

9b.3.5.4 Information for parents
Parents should be supplied with detailed information on the nature of the activity when permission is sought.   

An example form is available on the shooting pages of scouts.org.uk. Where other forms are used, they must include this information.  

9b.3.5.5 Parental permission 
Parental permission must be received for all members aged under 18 who are taking part in shooting activities.

9b.3.5.6 Ownership and use of firearms
Firearms must not be bought, owned, or used by any Scout unit or campsite unless the relevant Lead Volunteer has arranged to ensure that possession and use complies with all statutory requirements and any applicable bylaws.   

The relevant Trustee Board must also be informed of the arrangements. 

9b.3.5.7 Bringing firearms onto Scout premises 
Firearms must only be taken on to Scout premises if permission in writing has been obtained before the activity from the owner or their representative and the person responsible for the activity (that is, the relevant Lead Volunteer or their nominated delegate).  

9b.3.5.8 Legal compliance – England and Wales 
Members operating firearms as defined in the law must do so in line with the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) and other relevant legislation.

9b.3.5.9 Legal compliance – Northern Ireland 
Members operating air guns and firearms in Northern Ireland must adhere to the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004.

9b.3.5.10 Legal compliance – Scotland 
Members operating in Scotland must adhere to Section 23 of the Air Weapon and Licencing Scotland Act 2015: Requirements for recreational shooting facilities.

9b.3.5.11 Legal compliance – visitors to Scotland 
Members travelling to Scotland from elsewhere in the UK and transporting their airguns in order to provide shooting activities must hold a Visitor Permit issued by Police Scotland. This must be acquired before the visit for either an individual or a group. Members must ensure that all shooting activities are conducted in line with the Air Weapon and Licencing (Scotland) Act 2015.

9b.3.5.12 Range access 
Wherever practical, shooting ranges should be out of bounds, except during the specified times for shooting, where the range and surrounding areas must be managed appropriately.

9b.3.5.13 Range supervision 
In every case, shooting must be supervised by a competent and appropriately qualified Range Conducting Officer who must have a knowledge of the correct use of the firearms being used. The Range Conducting Officer must ensure compliance by all persons in the range with the relevant range safety and other rules.

9b.3.5.14 Historical re-enactment
Members may use firearms for historical re-enactment purposes as a member or guest of a club affiliated to the National Association of Re-enactment Societies and operating in accordance with their standards and codes of practice.   

Members using firearms under this rule must follow POR 9a.1.2.4 (which forbids shooting at targets representing human beings or animals). 

9b.3.5.15 Crossbow supervision 
The person in charge of crossbow activities where the crossbow has a draw weight more than 1.4kg must hold a minimum of YPS Tutor Sport Crossbow qualification from the National Small-Bore Rifle Association (NSRA). Where members taking part in the activity are under the age of 18, the Range Officer or another person supervising participants in the activity must be aged 21 or older.

9b.3.5.16 Firearm practice 
Members may practice shooting with firearms, whether requiring a Firearms Certificate or not:

  1. as a member or guest of a club approved for this purpose by the relevant Government Department
  2. on Service premises under the supervision of an authorised member of the armed forces
  3. if the firearms are shotguns, clay pigeon shooting under the standards and controls of the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA).

9b.3.5.17 Air gun practice 
Members may practice shooting with air guns which do not require a Firearms Certificate [except that in Northern Ireland a Firearms Certificate is always required] as follows:

  1. the ranges must have been properly constructed to comply with guidelines issued by the NSRA or the National Rifle Association (NRA) and with any bye laws relevant to the location of the range
  2. the guns used must not be of an automatic nature
  3. the pellets used must be 'diabolo shaped' and of soft deformable metal such as lead
  4. the Range Conducting Officer must hold one of the qualifications listed in the current issue of the factsheet. If any of those shooting is under the age of 14, the Range Conducting Officer or another person supervising participants in the activity must be age 21 or older
  5. for a temporary range, the Range Officer must prescribe appropriate range safety and other rules, taking account of the particular circumstances of the range
  6. where the air guns being used are of greater than .177inch (4.5mm) calibre, shooting must take place outdoors on a range with a minimum distance to target of 12m.

9b.3.5.18 Guidance 
Further guidance is available to support all of the above on the shooting pages of scouts.org.uk.

9b.3.6 Target Sports: Tomahawk throwing

9b.3.6.1 Follow the guidance 
The throwing of tomahawks and small hawks must follow Tomahawk Throwing (FS120011).

9b.3.6.2 Prohibited targets 
Throwing at targets representing human beings or animals is not permitted as a part of any Scout activity, or on property owned or leased by, or used in the name of, the Scouts.

9b.3.6.3 Prohibited equipment 
Throwing knives is not permitted within The Scout Association (see POR 9a.1.2.4 Banned Activities).