I have no horse in this race so bear that in mind.
But, for those who use the PA club as an example of why this should be done, consider that the attendance of the HG class didn't increase one iota when that rule changed. A few with HG's did stick on brakes, just long enough to see the guns shoot bigger'n hell and take em back off.
If ya wanna know why LG shooters don't often show up at HG matches it's not because of any brake, it cause they don't like being handicapped on a weekly basis. Some avid shooters who really enjoy shooting will do it, I was one. But, you need a miracle gun, conditions to fit, and a good attitude about who you're competing against to have fun that way. That combo is unusual.
I'd have to look back at old records to see how many relays were won by anyone with a LG in the Hclass. But while yes, some LG's did shoot enough to win some relays, and even occasionally win a score shootoff, they were by no means as competitive as is being made out above. I say this having had one of the winningest LGs when shot in Hclass up there. Back in those days, nobody in the club won over 4 relays in a year, in either class. So winning 3 HG relays with a LG was highly unusual. (I did that actually)
Be that as it may, the rule change in PA has had virtually no effect whatsoever. I seriously doubt any of the people who shoot light guns in Hclass really care about the rule. And, I'd bet that if you take all the people who end up voting on this issue, there won't be 1% who ever actually show up to shoot their LG with he HGs. There's people who are simply never satisfied to let well enough alone, and this is another example. The up-side is, it probably won't change anything no matter how a vote goes. I know if it was me, I'd go to that HG match, see these guns that don't cost any more than a LG, and say, "Gee, I want one of those big monsters that shoots 3" 10 shot groups"
Fact is, people think of the LG class as the "Entry" class. But fact is, years back the HG class was the "Entry" Class, and only if you wanted to go see what a handicapped gun would do, would you go build a LG. Now it's the other way around, and for the life of me I can't imagine why. Personally, I think HGs are a HELL of a lot more fun to shoot.
Jmho.
/Edit to add/
Maybe what would help attendance of matches would be to have all the shooters who recruit new blood to start telling the new blood to build a HG first. This way, if they wanted to bring a wife or daughter along cause going alone is not really an option, the significant other might actually enjoy being there cause they could be competitive day one, and just plain relax and enjoy themselves behind a nice tame HG.
