About
ABOUT US
National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRAPA) is accredited by the S.A. Police Services with the designated powers to allocate Dedicated Sport and Hunter status to its members, with FAR numbers 1300122 and 1300127.
National Rifle and Pistol Association’s (NRAPA) purpose is to provide a one-stop service with regards to the administration of the Firearms Control Act. We would like to make it simpler for the general public to comply with the requirements of the Act.
- National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) originated in 2015 and is registered with the SAPS. National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) is registered with the SAPS. National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) affiliates with other like-minded sport shooting clubs. This includes membership as well as dedicated hunter and sports status for the affiliated sports club’s members at a fee. National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) in return manages the administration of the membership process where the Sport Shooting Club manages the members at the Club as well as the shooting ranges.
- National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) promotes active participation in postal shooting. What is Postal shooting? A Postal Match is a match in which competitors fire on their home ranges at their own leisure using targets that have been marked for identification. Postal matches afford a means of real competition, formal shooting by the rules, and a method to track your shooting progress. They are all integrity-based – meaning they are examples of the essence of good sportsmanship, honesty, and integrity. Modern Postal matches involve various guns in multiple courses of fire. Some matches simply concentrate on marksmanship skills with little or no movement required throughout the course.
- National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) will manage the administrative part and keep records on behalf of its member. By electronically submitting shot targets and scorecards to the office for ratification of scores, members build up records of participation for submission at application for, or at the renewal of, firearm licences. In short, you shoot at your own time at your choice of range and we will keep a record of your activities.
- National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) also promotes individual as well as team gong shooting matches. National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) promotes other types of long-range gong shooting but not limited to National Rifle League SA, National Rifle League SA Hunter as well as Practical Precision Rifle Shooting formats. These matches are a demanding sport that pits shooters against challenging targets at varying distances that are engaged from multiple, often-awkward positions. NRLSA matches are recognized as the major league of sniper-style rifle matches. These matches aren’t shot from a bench or even on a square range. They feature practical, real-world field conditions, and some improvised barricades and obstacles to increase the difficulty. Typical target ranges are from 300 to 1200 meters, but each NRL match has a unique personality with creative stages that challenge different aspects of precision shooting. NRLSA tracks shooter scores fired in registered matches across the country.
- National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) also promotes practical shooting involving handguns, semi-automatic rifles, manually operated rifles, manually operated shotguns. Practical shooting, also known as dynamic shooting or action shooting, is a set of shooting sports where the competitors are trying to unite the three principles of precision, power and speed, by using a firearm of a certain minimum power factor to score as many points as possible during the shortest amount of time (or sometimes within a set maximum time). The promotion of accuracy, power, and speed as three equal elements is the prime objective of practical shooting along with procedures and rules for safe gun handling. National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) recognises sport shooting clubs and associations promoting but not limited to IDPA or IPSC formats of shooting.
- IDPA is Defensive related. The stages resemble real-life situations and are designed to simulate something you might encounter in real life. IDPA is “Revolver Friendly” and the stages are normally designed to accommodate revolvers without a significant disadvantage.
- IDPA also has a “Power Factor”, and it is calculated by multiplying the bullet weight by the muzzle velocity, however, there is no scoring distinction between “Major” and “Minor”. A particular IDPA division has a minimum power factor, and the firearm must meet this minimum to be legal for competition.
- IPSC is competition-related. The stages do not necessarily resemble a real-life situation (they can and frequently do, but do not always adhere to this philosophy), and are designed more toward technical shooting problems. The stages are also frequently longer and involve more shots than IDPA stages.
- IPSC also provides for two “Power Factors” in most of the divisions; Major and Minor. Major power factor has a higher value placed on certain parts of the target under the assumption that someone shooting a more powerful gun deserves a break.
While scoring systems vary between organizations, each measures the time of which the course is completed, with penalties for inaccurate shooting. The courses are called “stages”, and are shot individually by the shooters. Usually, the shooter must move and shoot from several positions, fire under or over obstacles and in other unfamiliar positions. There are no standard exercises or set arrangement of the targets, and the courses are often designed so that the shooter must be inventive, and therefore the solutions of exercises sometimes vary between shooters.
National Rifle and Pistol Association (NRPA) Code of Conduct Firearm Safety
- ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances. - ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger. - ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.
Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber(s), leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does. When using or storing a gun, always follow these
The Fundamental NRPA Rules for Safe Gun Handling are:
- Know your target and what is beyond
- Know how to use the gun safely
- Be sure the gun is safe to operate
- Use only the correct ammunition for your gun
- Wear eye and ear protection as appropriate
- Never use alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription or other drugs before or while shooting
- Know your Target and what is Beyond
Be absolutely sure you have identified your target beyond any doubt. Equally important, be aware of the area beyond your target. This means observing your prospective area of fire before you shoot. Never fire in a direction in which there are people or any other potential for mishap. Think first. Shoot second. - Know How to Use the Gun Safely
Before handling a gun, learn how it operates. Know its basic parts, how to safely open and close the action and remove any ammunition from the gun or magazine. Remember, a gun’s mechanical safety device is never fool proof. Nothing can ever replace safe gun handling. - Be Sure the Gun Is Safe To Operate
Just like other tools, guns need regular maintenance to remain operable. Regular cleaning and proper storage are a part of the gun’s general upkeep. If there is any question concerning a gun’s ability to function, a knowledgeable gunsmith should look at it. - Use Only the Correct Ammunition for Your Gun
Only BBs, pellets, cartridges or shells designed for a particular gun can be fired safely in that gun. Most guns have the ammunition type stamped on the barrel. Ammunition can be identified by information printed on the box and sometimes stamped on the cartridge. Do not shoot the gun unless you know you have the proper ammunition. - Wear Eye and Ear Protection As Appropriate
Guns are loud and the noise can cause hearing damage. They can also emit debris and hot gas that could cause eye injury. For these reasons, shooting glasses and hearing protectors should be worn by shooters and spectators. - Never Use Alcohol or Over-The-Counter, Prescription or Other Drugs Before or While Shooting
Alcohol, as well as any other substance likely to impair normal mental or physical bodily functions, must not be used before or while handling or shooting guns. Store guns so they are not accessible to unauthorized persons.
Many factors must be considered when deciding where and how to store guns. A person’s particular situation will be a major part of the consideration. Dozens of gun storage devices, as well as locking devices that attach directly to the gun, are available.
However, mechanical locking devices, like the mechanical safeties built into guns, can fail and should not be used as a substitute for safe gun handling and the observance of all gun safety rules. Be aware that certain types of guns and many shooting activities require additional safety precautions.
MEMBERSHIP
The Association shall have the following categories of membership of which will be renewed annually provided that the annual fees are paid and proof of payment is received:
Ordinary Membership: Any natural persons from the age of 18 may apply in the prescribed manner, accompanied by proof of payment of the registration and annual membership fees. Membership may be refused if disciplinary measures have been instituted by other accredited associations against the applicant.
Dedicated Membership: NRPA conducts a relevant training course in respect of dedicated hunters that complies with the provisions of the South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995 (Act No. 58 of 1995) read with the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998) of which it shall be a prerequisite that a member of the hunting association must successfully complete before that member may be registered as a dedicated member and dedicated hunter with the hunting association. A member who has complied with the provisions of the Firearms Control Act, No. 60 of 2000 and the Regulations promulgated there under. This category of membership may be revoked at any stage, at the discretion of the Executive Committee. It is the members’ own responsibility to maintain the Dedicated Hunter or Sport Shooter Status and to continue to be involved in hunting or sport shooting activities. At the time of renewal of annual membership, upon request the member must be able to present proof of involvement in hunting/sport shooting activities (min of two) during the previous 12 months, and that the NRPA MUST and SHALL inform the SAPS should the member not comply herewith. In such event the member will lose his/her Dedicated Status and will have no claim whatsoever against the NRPA or its management or any of its officials. The responsibility of meeting the conditions of maintaining the up-to-date Status and to stay active as prescribed in The Dedicated Status Manual, lies solely with the member.
Senior Membership: Any natural persons from the age of 61 who has made an application in the prescribed manner, accompanied by proof of payment of the registration and annual membership fees. Membership may be refused if disciplinary measures have been instituted by other accredited associations against the applicant.
Junior Membership: Any person who is under the age of 18 years who has made an application in the prescribed manner, accompanied by proof of payment of the registration and annual membership fees.