THE barrel wavered for a few seconds, then rose in the general direction of the target and, with a satisfying “Klish!” from the little air rifle, the plate fell over. From that moment, even though I had absolutely nothing to do with my first (purely coincidental) hit on a target, at four years of age, I was hooked. Thereafter, shooting took on a significant role in my life. For as far back as I can remember, my favourite toys were plastic pistols and an old broken Daisy airgun which was my most prized possession for most of my pre-school years.
I was fortunate to grow up in a family which still clings fast to so-called ‘old-fashioned’ principles and ideals. I
