Clay Pigeon Shooting

[cameliaheartfelt]

Why can't people who have epilepsy do clay pigeon shooting? My husband takes tablets every night and only ever had 2 fits in 2004 and 2006.

[Sqad]

If their epilepsy is under control, I thought that one could indulge in Clay Pigeon shooting.

I may be wrong.

[-Talbot-]

Who has told him he can't?

[RATTER15]

Who says they cant, never heard that before.

Sqad what does controlled actually mean? My daughters epilepsy is now controlled, she has seizures about twice a week as opposed to a few every day, Can you imagine a person suffering from epilepsy holding a double barrelled 12 bore shot gun having a seizure of any kind whilst stood adjacent to a crowd of people.

[-Talbot-]

Does your husband hold a driving licence?

[Retrochic]

I would not want to be stood anywhere near anyone with a gun in their hand on medication for Epilepsy. Anything could happen - maybe the 'kick' from the shotgun could trigger a seizure?

[jno]

I think you have to declare it to get a certificate but I don't know that you're automatically banned.

[Sqad]

\\\\Sqad what does controlled actually mean? \\\\

A good question.

To me it means that a patient whilst taking medication has not had an attack....major or small ....for more than a year.

if they have one a year, then their epilepsy is uncontrolled.

To the patient, they may have a different definition, a subjective one,that is their attacks are less frequent.

[anneasquith]

no seizure since 2006, medication obviously working !

[RATTER15]

Retrochic, the medication would not be the problem, the kick would not be the problem as the gun has already discharged. The only problem I see is a person holding a 12 bore around other people. My daughter would be perfectly safe with a gun until she had a seizure.

[RATTER15]

Thats the problem sqad, my daughter could claim that her seizures are controlled, her specialist says they are controlled, to some to seizures a week is a lot, to me and my daughter 2 a week is a relief.

Before I allowed my daughter (in my presence) to hold a loaded gun she would need to have been seizure free for at least six months.

If I was holding a Clay pigeon shoot, I would not allow an epileptic to participate unless they held a full car licence. or we could set up a safe area.

[Retrochic]

Ratter -well in that case the only time anyone would be in danger is if the shooter had a fit at the very moment before he shot -as up until that time he would follow safety procedures and either have the safety catch on or the gun would be open. Also,technically, the shooter could discharge one barrel,causing a fit and the second shot could go into he crowd.

[retrocop]

If the recoil were to cause a seizure then it may be a serious danger, if the shotgun was double barrelled with either single selective trigger or dual triggers, to others in the vicinity.

[RATTER15]

I dare say the problem is with their insurance company Camelia. Insurance companies don't like taking unnecessary risks.

[RATTER15]

Retrochic, you are correct on the safety catch etc, however a little unlikely on the trigger aspect because they would normally have to locate the trigger for the second barrel. the triggers are usually offset to prevent both barrels being discharged together.

[RATTER15]

retrocop, yes you are correct, however such circumstances are quite unlikely, I have also never heard of a sudden jolt causing a seizure in anybody.

[retrocop]

Well I know very little about epilepsy Ratter so I can't comment on what can or cannot bring on a seizure but I agree that insurance companies would be unhappy with someone using a firearm with epilepsy.

[Retrochic]

Ratter its hardly difficult to locate the second trigger on a shotgun - in clay shooting you have a couple of shots within one second of one another,anyway its totally hypothetical so must leave it at that. BTW. I got my first shotgun when I was 8...and my 21st birthday pressie was a very nice 20 gauge Purdey which I still have. :-)

[RATTER15]

I didnt say it was difficult!! It is however unlikely whilst having a seizure. I do agree that it is possible though.

[RATTER15]

A Purdey, now we are talking guns!! I want a 12 bore side by side Purdey or maybe a matched pair for Xmas, cant be doing with over & unders, not my bag. I also dont shoot clays!

[Retrochic]

There you go!
http://images.guntrader.co.uk/GunImages/14/1409/14092/140923192616448/140923192616448-1.jpg