Class expansion for the WRABF

[garrettkq]

Has there ever been any movement to expand the classes on the world level?

It would be a natural evolution on the world stage to embrace classes greater than the Heavy Varmint.

Understandably, there are a lot of countries that do not allow air rifles to be over a certain FPE. That shouldn't be a limiting factor. However, permits are obtainable for some, so I'm sure there would be representation. There are also those countries that require special permits in order to have firearms, and there is attendance from those countries.

Seeing how common it is here in the USA, the Open class of shooting greater than 20 FPE is a mainstay. As seen, we are even progressing well beyond Open levels.

I would hate to see stagnation in on the world level, considering the progress of airgun competition.

Looking at the Worlds competitions, wouldn't it be more worth the while to be able to compete in more than two classes for air rifle?

 

[sgeorge]

Garrett,

It's not April 1st. It is funny but in the wrong way, never mind, what's his name will be here soon enough. Any bets on what the excuses will be?

 

[garrettkq]

I am not looking for excuses. I am simply looking for detailed answers on the progress of our sport. I am sure those who represent our sport on the world level work very hard at what they do and tirelessly strive to bring the international body of shooters together.
I have confidence that the representatives that you have chosen Stephen, to represent the United States on the world platform will blaze forward and do everything in their powers and influence to share our views and take our sport to new levels. Of course, we share the world platform with rimfire, however there should be no excuses to stagnate our endeavors.

 

[Bill Collaros]

3rd Air Rifle Class @ Wrabf

Hi Garrett,

A shooter or shooters can ask their represantaives to table something like this or any other relevant matters to be voted on at the next AGM.

We used to have more classes and distances in the WRABF but as you have said it is one World Championships combining both Air and Rimfire as many shoot in both, though this is changing and specialists are forming in both Air & Rimfire. If you look at the new WBSF IRB model they have gone with just 1 rimfire class model and believe that 1 class over around 4 days is better way and more cost effective way of doing things, on our end we believe it is better if you go to the expense of World travel you might as well stay longer and shoot in multiple events if you qualify.

I guess these ideas, technology and demands change as we have seen a big growth in Air Rifle over recent years and also a big growth in both Air & Rimfire in the equipment race world wide resulting in the narrowing of the gap between countries. We have voted to keep rules in longer term blocks to assist shooters in knowing what gear they will need long term rather than have to buy new gear every 2 years, whether this is right or wrong i guess can be debatable both ways.

So i guess my answer would be talk to your shooters and if a majority of them not just a loud minority would like your reps to table something/anything at the WRABF AGM no one will stop the USA delegate doing that, then whatever is voted on by the majority of Wrabf members is what gets adopted moving forwards.

Our next AGM is in August 2015 at the Wrabf World Championships in Brisbane Australia.