Want to keep your ranges open?

[TomD]

Bill Dittman and I just spent 5 days at a conference put on by the NRA on Range design and maintenance. This conference is put on 4 times a year around the US.

The times are changing, there are environmental, safety and legal elements of range function coming up now that just didn't exist until recently. To ignore them will be to eventually lose your range.

Your range would be well advised to send a rep to one of the conferences within the next year or so, before the EPA comes calling asking for you lead stewardship program.

You'll learn little nuggets like most bullets escaping a range do so because of hitting the ground instead of the backstop. They then either follow the ground using the backstop like a ski jump or they deflect up at an angel of between 4 and 40 degrees. You have to keep people from hitting the ground.

I don't know how many people here who are at all involved with range management but they need to pay attention.

 

[Joe Entrekin]

Good reminder, Tom. The NRA range program IS a great & helpful asset for any club/ range to take advantage of.

 

[Byron]

If a municipality wants to close your range they will get it closed. If you don't believe me look at what happened to the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club in Azusa, CA. The city of Azusa allowed houses to be built near the range that had been in existence since 1947. Then when residents started complaining about the noise the city had the property rezoned. This went around the federal law prohibiting the closure of existing ranges for noise.

 

[mike sobotkin]

NRA Information

Hi Tom: Can you direct me to the NRA Information for these conferences. Where and when are they being held? Who and how to contact?
Thanks in advance for all of your help and guidance.
Mike S

 

[TomD]

Hi Tom: Can you direct me to the NRA Information for these conferences. Where and when are they being held? Who and how to contact?
Thanks in advance for all of your help and guidance.
Mike S

See below for a description or link here for more information.

The Range Development & Operations Conference is designed to educate range owners and operators, of both existing and proposed range facilities, to identify potential problems associated with engineering, environmental issues, and safety. This information is vital for government agencies, as well as commercial, public, private, school, club, and casual ranges, of both indoor and outdoor types.

Presentations are given by America's top experts on range development. The ultimate goal of the Range Development & Operations Conference is to give attendees a forum to share their knowledge, and ensure the public has a safe and convenient place to shoot in order to exercise their second amendment rights.

A key element for advancement in any profession is continuing education. Today's shooting range operator needs the savvy of a businessman, the wisdom of a firearms enthusiast, and the knowledge of a health and safety professional. The most successful professionals constantly strive to improve their knowledge and expertise by pursuing opportunities to learn from associates and experts.

For more information, contact Jason Smith (jsmith@nrahq.org or 703-267-1276).