He added, “One recent instance was Wang Yifu of the Chinese national shooting team. He won a gold medal for air pistol in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Therefore, if you have a strong will and plenty of self-confidence, you can be a good pistol shooter. Given some tough and diligent training for the next year or so, you could stand a chance of representing Hong Kong in the Olympics 2008 in Beijing.”

Pistol shooting is not as expensive as many people may imagine. Kern says that a brand new target pistol of reasonable quality can be bought for around $5,000. With some simple routine maintenance, a target pistol can last for 10 to 20 years. Practice at the range for a day including range fees and ammunition costs around $200.

The Hong Kong Shooting Association sponsors 70% of the overall expenses paid by shooters representing Hong Kong in international competitions. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region also encourages civil servants to take part in international sports competitions. According to Civil Service Regulations 1111(2), authorised absence up to a max-imum of 14 days in any period of 12 months can be granted to colleagues representing Hong Kong in international events.

Special forces at the HKRA practice range? Not quite, it is Kern firing an AR15 carbine.

Nice and easy: Kern taking aim.

Possessing a firearm

To possess firearms personally and legally is not easy though. Kern explains, “You have to join a registered pistol club for at least three months and, apart from having good behaviour during that period, you need to go through all the necessary courses on theory and practical training.”

With a recommendation from the club you belong to, you will be allowed to take a field test organised by the Hong Kong Police Force. Only upon passing the test will you be able to apply to purchase a .177 calibre air pistol or a .22 handgun or rifle to start off in the sport.

To possess larger calibre handguns, such as a .38 or .45, would-be owners need to go through another qualifying period, with the same recommendation and approval procedures.

Kern has been shooting pistols as a sport for more than two decades. Now his 17-year-old son Timothy is showing interest in the sport, and father and son have their eyes fixed on one day representing Hong Kong at the shooting range as a team.