On 20th November 2007, Mary - the Secretary of the Phoenix Shooters Association UK - addressed the Parliamentary all-party working group on Shooting and Conservation in London.

The subject was "Young People and guns" which - as you can imagine - is a very topical subject.

It's a very daunting experience to stand up in front of MPs, members of the shooting organisations and the press, so to speak knowledgably and articulately for half an hour as well as answering searching questions in is very difficult - yet Mary managed it extremely well.

It was interesting to hear the group coming to the conclusion that the shooting sports are a part of the solution to gun crime, rather than being a part of the problem. - something we've known for a oong time.

In effect Mary said that target shooting in schools - Promoted self-discipline Produced a calm, safe approach to firearms Gave students real responsibility for themselves and others Was an antidote to "gun culture" (whatever that is) and therefore had benefits not only for individual students, but for the whole school, as some normally disruptive students leant the meaning of self-discipline and self-control.

Mostyn House School, The Airgun Training & Education Organisation, Phoenix Shooters Assoication and the Saltney Ferry Scouts all were used as examples of good practice in this area - all good publicity.

Speaking personally now - I was very proud of Mary and they way she dealt with a really high-pressure situation, and I'm sure all PSA members are too !