Range closed!

[RNS]

Well, It's my one and only day off of the week. I pack my range bag with my new CZ and 200 rounds of 9mm only to find the range has closed for good. This is not a small range. Most of the LEO's in the area use it to qualify. They also sell police uniforms etc. which will stay open. The owner stated that because of insurance liability cost they could no longer keep the range open.

The next closest range to me is over a hour drive. He told me he contacted the NRA to see if they could be of any help, however he was told there is no program in place at this time.

He also told me his won't be the last to close in the area because of liability cost. The guy felt very bad about closing as the range has been there for over 30 years. I told him I was sorry and went on my way.

So much for a day at the range. Rich

 

[jsalcedo]

Why not raise range fees?

Why not ask for donations?

Adapt, evolve, survive...

I'm sure if he had warned everyone what was going on he wouldn't have had to close down.


There is a range I go to that make each person take out a membership as soon as they walk in the door, the owners don't even ask if you want to join, you just get your picture taken and sign a long list of rules and a release.

It seems that this "private club" has much lower insurance rates.

I sure as heck would not have gone quietly If I had owned a range for 30 years.

 

[RNS]

jsalcedo,

I agree. This is something that I could never understand. They always had a "why fight it " way of thinking. The range was always a mess. Most of the target machines didn't work.

Just seemed like a company trying to go out of business.

 

[Deadman]

Sorry to hear about the unfortunate events RNS, as I'll probably go through a similar occurence at some point in terms of the local range closing. Only in my instance its due to the local council plotting to get rid of the range.

Apparently the local council wanted to develop the land that the range is situated on. Luckily it used to be an old military waste dump of some sort and so they can't develop the land in any way. So now they want to turn the range into a park 'for the children' ( ). The fact that there are two large sports oval for soccer and football closer to the residential houses of the area is obvioulsy of no consequence to the local council.

In fact the NSW state premier who is of the leftist persuasion, sent a leaflet detailing all of his endeavours for the region which in part states - 'Anzac Rifle Range - lobbying to keep the land as open, public space - Campaign Continues '.

They are so eager to get rid of a rifle range that they are campaigning to allow children to use an area littered with lead fragments.....

 

[Sven]

So now they want to turn the range into a park 'for the children' ( ).

You may want to remind them about the dangers of lead, and the high amount of lead likely in the ground now because it is being used as a range.

Keep it a range forever!

 

[Standing Wolf]

I used to shoot at the National Shooting Club in Santa Clara, the People's Republic of California. One day, it was closed.

I hated driving past the place, because I'd always look, and it was still closed.

It was finally reopened under new ownership shortly before I left the P.R.C. to return to the United States.

Good ranges aren't a dime a dozen.

 

[Kahr carrier]

That sucks ,There you to be a local range where I use to live it closed down and they ended up putting upscale housing on the property.

 

[Deadman]

You may want to remind them about the dangers of lead, and the high amount of lead likely in the ground now because it is being used as a range.

Getting rid of a rifle range, even if no one wanted the land, is no doubt more important to them then the welfare of some children. Besides if anyone complained about lead poisoning, the council could then pass the buck by advising them to sue the sporting shooters association instead....

 

[YankeeRebel]

Be careful about telling of the perceived dangers of lead at a firing range. Remember that the Clinton administration used the EPA to go after gun ranges due to the lead. You will be walking a very fine line if you do take that approach.

The insurance thing is not only hitting the ranges, but also the shows. The latest Big Show Journal has an editorial about this and there have been several threads here about it. If they can't get you one way then they will try another.

 

[RustyHammer]

RNS .... you could always join the Army. I hear they are doing a lot of shooting these days. Adapt, ....

 

[STW]

I live close enough to Camp Pendleton to regularly hear artillery fire. The number of ranges on base boggles the mind. Even so, the Oceanside Police department in a town with the entire northern border against the base is having a difficult time finding a place to put a range. Luckily, there is an indoor private range near the base thats good for hand gun practise. Rifle practise at 25 yards doesn't seem worth the expense.
I understand there is a gun club able to use one of the base ranges. I'm hoping civilians can join but haven't yet checked it out.