The word gun conjures up violent images of death and danger.

It is no surprise when you consider the horrific massacre of 16 schoolchildren and a teacher in Dunblane, Scotland, in 1997 and more recent gang shootings.

Those whose hobby is shooting feel passionately that the hysteria surrounding guns is put into context.

"It is not the gun which is dangerous, it is the person who picks it up," said David Smith, 71, a shooting coach with Parkford Shooting Centre in St Osyth.

"People look at a gun and say that's dangerous'. But it's like a car - it's the way you use it that makes it dangerous."

This week is National Shooting Week. Parkford Shooting Centre, established in the 1980s and run by David Ford, is encouraging novices to have a go at clay pigeon shooting or skeet, in a bid to dispel the myths surrounding guns and promote shooting as a sport.

Shooting is a competitive event and the UK is actually quite good at it. During the 2006 Commonwealth Games, 23 of the UK's 116 medals were for shooting, the second highest number of medals for an event after swimming.

Event organisers claim more people shoot than take part in athletics, rugby and hockey.

Colchester Rifle Club, with a target range in Layer-de-la-Haye, is one of 40 shooting clubs in Essex. It already has a couple of talented shooters hoping to make it to the games.

Club secretary, Bernard Allsop, 69, started shooting in 1960 and will compete in Gibraltar later this month. When it comes to the Olympics, he doesn't see why we can't go all the way, especially at the 2012 Games in London.

"Shooting as a sport does not tend to get much publicity. How much of the shooting events did we actually see on television during the Sydney Olympics? Hardly anything," said Mr Allsop.

He believes our attitude to the sport must change.

"I feel sorry for people who don't think shooting should be a sport because they do not understand. When you shoot, you are competing against yourself and others," he said, smiling.

Mr Smith agreed.

"Shooting is a terrific discipline as far as brain and body co-ordination go. It keeps my brain working and there's a social element too," said Mr Smith, who won his first shooting medal in 1948 at Bisley, "the home of British shooting".

Despite the negative publicity prompted by gun-related crime, the sport - whether it is shooting at stationary targets or skeet (where targets are hurled from two traps at varying speeds and angles) - is growing in popularity.

Colchester Rifle Club, established 100 years ago, has 100 members. Mr Smith also gave 180 lessons at Parkford Shooting Centre last year.

More women are showing an interest and people of all ages - Colchester Rifle Club's youngest member is 14 and oldest is more than 90 - are taking part.

"People are going to shows, such as the Tendring Hundred Show, having a go at shooting and then coming to us," said Mr Allsop. "Shooting is a safe sport. If it is done in the right environment with proper training, there is no problem. If we have a group come in to shoot, we have to let the police know," he added.

Last month, the Gazette reported how a child of 11 in Essex had been granted a gun licence.

Tim Bonner, of National Shooting Week, said police carry out thorough checks before granting licences.

"Our view, which is supported by the police, is that if you train a young person in responsibly using firearms, they are less likely to misuse an illegal gun.

"If people come along to a National Shooting Week event, they will see exactly how much care is taken to ensure safety and proper use."

  • Parkford Shooting Centre in St Osyth is holding an event tomorrow between 10am and 5pm. For information, call 01206 820230.
  • For more information about Colchester Rifle Club, call 01206 330420.

PREPARING FOR 2012

St Osyth teenager Sally Bond is one of the top three women qualifiers for the shooting team preparing for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

If the 16-year-old, who is studying PE, psychology and law A-levels at Clacton County High School, continues to do well, she will be on the team representing Great Britain in four years' time.

Her mum, Allison, said: "It's a shame there aren't more young people in the sport. Sally thoroughly enjoys it and it encourages good, clean living because they can't go out and drink or take drugs because they would lose their licence."

FACT FILE

In the UK:

  • One million people are licensed to own a shotgun or rifle
  • 150,000 people regularly shoot clay pigeons
  • 50,000 people go target shooting on ranges
  • There are three types of guns - shotgun, rifle and air rifle or air pistol
  • More people in the UK receive hospital treatment for mishaps with cotton buds than accidents with guns.