"Whether we like it or not, if a local force insists on imposing a condition of shooting we have little choice but to comply"

I really don't agree with that. There is no merit in allowing the police or the licensing authority to exceed its statutory powers. Provided that you object in a polite and rational way they have no gounds for taking action against you. When I got my first couple of s7 handguns I was told that I had to get a s5 authority to transport them. Absolute rubbish. I wrote to the head of my licensing authority pointing this out and got an apology saying that they had been misinformed by the Home Office. With respect, I think you ARE being defeatist.