Shooting Federation Rift Triggers Laser Weaponry Debate

(ATR) An internal dispute among International Sport Shooting Federation officials has ignited a debate over the potential implementation of laser guns in the sport.

Federation leaders are shooting down claims by vice president Luciano Rossi that there are "ongoing negotiations to introduce laser" to the Olympic sport and that the ISSF is engaging in a "secret relationship" with the IOC.

ISSF secretary general Franz Schreiber insists that there is no intention for the sport to transition from traditional firearms to laser weaponry explaining that it would compromise the integrity of competition, while minimizing fundamental shooting skills.

"Technically, we believe there is no laser system able to mimic the accuracy, the gestures and the peculiarities of shooting sport," Schreiber tells Around the Rings. "Next to that, a shooter needs to manage with environmental conditions such as wind, rain, humidity, and light, and to control the recoil."

USA Shooting interim chief executive officer David Johnson staunchly supports the position of the ISSF to remain with traditional rifles and pistols at the Olympic Games.

"USA Shooting, our athletes and the shooting sports industry as a whole have no interest in the idea of a laser shooting competition as an alternative to the present day events on the Olympic program," Johnson tells Around the Rings.

"The founder of the Olympic Movement, Pierre de Coubertin, was a pistol shooter himself and shooting has been a part of the Olympic Games since 1896."

Modern Pentathlon, created by Coubertin for the Modern Olympiad, made the transition to laser pistols for the London 2012 Games. However, it has not swayed shooting officials from their stance.

"The idea of introducing lasers to a competition ceases to make it a shooting sport – that would be like asking archers not to shoot arrows or fencers to use light sabers instead," Johnson said. "You essentially change a sport so much that it is not recognizable anymore and the desire to compete in such a format would be drastically impacted."

At Rio 2016, 390 competitors from nearly 100 countries competed in nine men’s and six women’s events. The U.S. has been the most prolific country in Olympic shooting sports attaining 110 medals, nearly double that of runner-up China, which has 56.

The ISSF did modify the competition format for the Rio Games in an effort to become more fan-friendly and enhance the sport’s appeal to youth.

The most significant rules change was adapted for all finals where all remaining competitors started scoring from scratch. Additionally, all finals featured an elimination stage, until the competition ends with duels between two shooters to decide the gold and silver medals.

"As the sport has already shown on numerous occasions, there are minor changes that can be made without going to that level," said Johnson referring to avoiding the change to lasers.

Modern Pentathlon officials conveyed a different viewpoint about their sport adapting lasers prior to London 2012. The futuristic firearms are not only safer, but also allowed sleek modifications to events, such as incorporating running and shooting together.

"I think the sport needed to modernize itself," said Rob Stull, a three-time Olympic pentathlete and managing director of USA Modern Pentathlon. "Laser pistols are a great solution."

Complicated berms and backstops are no longer required for safety, making it easier for organizers stage events. Also, it’s no longer a hassle for athletes to travel with their pistols.

Still, ISSF leaders are adamant that lasers are not in the future of competitive shooting sport.

"We are aware that shooting sport traditionally needs specific venues, but at the same time we have been working to expand our possibilities, preserving our peculiarities at the same time," Schreiber said. "Our 10-meter events are shot with compressed-air rifles and pistols. That’s safe, silent and flexible. This gives us the ability to organize events in sports halls or exhibition centers without problems as we have done for example at the Youth Olympic Games."

"The introduction of laser guns would destroy our essence and our tradition, this will not happen," Schreiber said, essentially putting an end to the dispute.

Written by Brian Pinelli

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