Governance fell short in a number of areas

Promoting recreational shooting has led to the National Rifle Association (NRA) being rapped by the Charity Commission.

The charity fell foul of the regulator after it acted outside its charitable objects.

Gun clubs are allowed to register as charities, however training civilians to shoot cannot be considered a public benefit.

In a published report, the Charity Commission said the NRA acted outside its charitable objects by promoting shooting competitions.

Trustees at the NRA, which had an income of over £6m last year, have been issued with a formal action plan under section 15(2) of the Charities Act.

It was also found that the relationship between the NRA and its trading subsidiary the National Shooting Centre, was not defined enough to make them separate.

While a charity can generate funds through a trading subsidiary, the commission found that it was not clear how the two organisations were separate and independent, due to the overlapping activities.

There was also a problem over conflicts of interest as the NRA’s chief executive was the NSC’s only director and decision-maker.

The Commission said that the NRA has made progress in addressing issues, but that it remains “subject to close scrutiny” by the regulator due to the seriousness of this issue.