Why are the private ranges closing?

[Jimmy James]

Varies by state and local jurisdiction. A lot of AHJ's are anti gun and are jumping at the chance to close a range if even only temporarily. Other AHJ's just dont want folks to have any sort of fun because they are just miserable bastards in the first place. So far all 4 shooting facilities that I have a membership to remain open. Now more than ever I wish I was living my dream on a thousand acres in Montana or Wyoming.

 

[Joe Salt]

Joe, you are mistaken, I was referring to my local private range here in Lancaster Pa. I do not believe that I mentioned Williamsport. I shoot a a local range here that has a 600yd capability. It has a locked gate and the general public doesn’t have access. People who shoot and test at that distance are not of the younger age group. It is used by the seasoned older group.

Walt only thing I said is the Governor of PA. Closed everything from what I understand. I'm with you the weather is nice and I want to test.

Joe salt

 

[jpx2rk]

Dang, I wish!

We get one or two, a couple times a year... out of a membership of 1200-1400.

Of course, NOW everyone has something to say about stuff. Go figure.

At our club, we kind of skirted the first state proclamation that shut down 'leisure, hobby and social clubs' along with restaurants, barber shops, hair salons and tattoo parlors. Then when the wider kabosh on 'non-essential' businesses came down, along with the 'stay at home' order, the board felt it had no real choice.

Yes, you are 'socially distant' from other people when at the range... but with the virus able to survive on hard surfaces for extended periods, and most shooting benches are rough textured and hard to clean *if* there were range staff on site (we don't have any)... and you're sitting down at a bench anywhere from a couple hours to a few minutes after the last random person...plus porta-potties aren't exactly the pinnacle of health & sanitation in the best of times... but people can't seem to see past them being told 'no'.

Other clubs closed before us. Some have closed since. A few have kept their doors open the entire time, whether out of some misguided sense of giving the gov't the bird, or something else, I can't say.

I honestly had not thought about the virus surviving on hard porous surfaces like the concrete tops at the BR range at my gun range. We don't have RO's on site except for the indoor range as they are responsible for unlocking the doors for other members to have access.

I don't know if my club is open or closed due to a board decision, I probably won't go until I feel this virus issue is on the down slope. If it is closed to all access, I have to trust the BOD. I don't agree with all of the BOD's decisions, but in the end, I either go along with it or find another club. I see no reason to create a situation like previously mentioned over a business or other entity closing during this time frame. We all have to make personal decisions about this virus, and IMO, they (owner/decision makers) did what they felt they didn't to do just like I do what I feel is needed for my own safety and well being.

 

[ngb1787]

Closing ranges for the health and safety of all is not a bad thing. Especially because so little is known about this virus. I understand there are different circumstances for different ranges but thinking about the safety of our shooters should always be a priority.

 

[Sieg]

Our range closed, I get it. I've observed too many irresponsible 'Bulletproof' people still out and about. Contact points are one thing and it's very easy to commit a contact violation out of habit. It only takes one to be fatal for many 'compromised' individuals with this virus.

Originally infection was thought to be due to close human contact or respiratory droplets, but looking at the rapid rate of spread I've been suspicious for some time that this was probably going aerosol to some degree. The recent change of the CDC suggesting masks supports this though to minimize panic they aren't outwardly stating it's aerosol. IMO.

That means if you're outdoors and downwind from someone talking loudly due to hearing protection or worse yet sneezing...... I think you're probably in range at 30' of separation.

At 61 I'd rather not live that latter years of my life with potentially compromised lungs from contracting this virus.

It only takes one idiot to change the trajectory of your life with this one.

 

[davidjoe]

I for one respect guys wanting to stay inside, exclusively, or as much as possible. Unless you supply your own food, power and water, you are relying on the people that aren’t staying exclusively indoors. Our club has some 300 members, many deemed essential in agriculture. Our state and county permit the club be open. Shall these members be told they can work outside for our food, - although they could get paid to sit on the couch, - but they cannot be outside when it comes to personal time. I don’t think so.

 

[Nature Boy]

Closing a private range defies logic when they let a golf course stay open.

Same thing in my area. My local range is closed but golf courses are open

 

[SWRichmond]

Walt your Governor is the one that shut everything down until April 30th. Vote for him again, like the ones in New York City Elected ours. Only reason our Governor is worried about the people in New York City is there votes.
Oh and this stuff stays in the air for quit a while, there are Tigers in the Bronx zoo with the Virus so were did that come from. I want to shoot as much as the next guy, but I think I'll stay home till it goes the other way.

Joe Salt

TINVOWOOT

 

[Dub]

Thankfully the private and public ranges I shoot at here are still open. I get out 2-3 times a week. It is what is keeping me sane. (I think...)

 

[Warren Dean]

TINVOWOOT

So would you be so kind as to decipher that acronym for the not-so-cool kids?

 

[memilanuk]

Warren, ya know I luv ya man, but I seriously cannot pass up this opportunity...

LMGTFY (click here)

ROTFLMFAO!!!

 

[Rustytigwire]

Warren, ya know I luv ya man, but I seriously cannot pass up this opportunity...

LMGTFY (click here)

ROTFLMFAO!!!

That is one fancy whatsit link

 

[Warren Dean]

Warren, ya know I luv ya man, but I seriously cannot pass up this opportunity...

LMGTFY (click here)

ROTFLMFAO!!!

Bite me.

 

[Doubs43]

Our club is limited to 150 members. We're lucky if 5% show up for a monthly meeting and that includes the officers.

However, it was decided that the club would remain open for casual shooting, members only; no guests. It's rare to go to the range during the week and find anyone else there so "social distancing" isn't a problem.

All scheduled matches and meetings have been cancelled until further notice.

 

[Evan]

Most places with a shelter in place order have limitations on non-essential travel. It is CLEARLY not in compliance with the shelter-in-place order for me to travel the 75 miles to my shooting spot on the prairie and I'm pretty sure law enforcement would have a word to say about it if I were to encounter them anytime during my trip. It is NOT essential travel, regardless of how cooped up and stir crazy I feel right now.

Our Colorado governor has made it clear that traveling to recreate is not allowed (most people here are trying to go into the mountains to camp, ski, hike, or otherwise) and law enforcement has been "educating" folks about the meaning of "only essential travel is permitted". I do not believe many would agree that "I'm driving to go target shooting" is essential travel or recreation if "I'm driving to go hike a trail in the mountains" is not permitted.

 

[Ned Ludd]

So would you be so kind as to decipher that acronym for the not-so-cool kids?

 

[Lefty Trigger]

Our private club is open but maybe not any more! Not because of the virus either,.. ours got stricken with another bad case of dumbassitus and we ended up with this shit! I found all this Saturday morning.

Picture 1 is our movable target frames shot to shit
Picture 2 is the 50yd target frame with the post shot in half (should look like the 100's farther back)
Picture 3 is a big rock placed at the 25yd line and shot at
Picture 4 is target backers pulled from the trash and leaned against the fence (in a non-shooting area) and shot at.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Mn, stay at home for non-essential workers. Hunting, fishing allowed. Exercise outside allowed. Still don't know how you defend a stay at home order, 1. When the community is allowed to gather in one place as often as they want-GROCERY store. 2. We need to let prisoners out, but we will lock you up.

 

[Mark W]

Our private club is open but maybe not any more! Not because of the virus either,.. ours got stricken with another bad case of dumbassitus and we ended up with this shit! I found all this Saturday morning.

Picture 1 is our movable target frames shot to shit
Picture 2 is the 50yd target frame with the post shot in half (should look like the 100's farther back)
Picture 3 is a big rock placed at the 25yd line and shot at
Picture 4 is target backers pulled from the trash and leaned against the fence (in a non-shooting area) and shot at.

I see our target frames destroyed every year around turkey season in spite of having signs saying not to pattern shotguns on the benchrest range.

 

[JSH]

Our private club is open but maybe not any more! Not because of the virus either,.. ours got stricken with another bad case of dumbassitus and we ended up with this shit! I found all this Saturday morning.

Picture 1 is our movable target frames shot to shit
Picture 2 is the 50yd target frame with the post shot in half (should look like the 100's farther back)
Picture 3 is a big rock placed at the 25yd line and shot at
Picture 4 is target backers pulled from the trash and leaned against the fence (in a non-shooting area) and shot at.

I see the same thing. We had worse issues a few years back, yes worse. Like projectiles getting out of the range.

Get involved in YOUR club folks.
There has been more than one BOD meeting or general meeting I all but threw up my hands and swore I was going to sell my membership. Luckily (I guess) it’s about a 20 minute drive home and I come to my senses. The frustration level of trying to accomplish some what simple task that take way to long is my biggest gripe.
I just can’t keep my mouth shut, gets me in a pinch at times. It’s business and not personal, that’s what a lot of folks have a problem separating the two.

If you have questions show up to a BOD or general meeting and ask.