Shooters 'close to Olympic deal'

A deal is close to being struck to allow British pistol shooters to train on home soil for the Olympics.

A clampdown on handguns was imposed in the Firearms Amendments Act 1997 after the deaths of 16 children and a teacher at Dunblane Primary School in 1996.

The ban applies in England, Wales and Scotland but could be lifted for sport.

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe told the Parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Committee that talks were "almost at a point of an agreement".

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Many British competitors currently have to travel to Switzerland to practise but changes to the rules could help Britain's medal hopes in Beijing and also at the 2012 London Games.

"I am hoping there will be an agreement between the Olympic bodies, the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office, trying to make sure that the ability is there for our athletes in the UK," said Mr Sutcliffe.

Previously, the Government granted a dispensation for handguns during the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.

But Mr Sutcliffe added that any change to the rules would have to be "working in conjunction with the legislation that exists".

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