Does you club allow non-members to shoot?

Claybuster

Claybuster

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Where I shoot anyone can show up with a shotgun, pay for targets and shoot clays. Some clubs however restrict access to members and guests and for good reason sometimes.

Last Wednesday a young man and his girlfriend shooting shooting five stand at our club were told to leave after being asked twice to put on eye protection, once by the trapper and then by the range manager. After the second request, they offered up some lame excuse about their eye protection being broken (spare safety glasses are available in the club house). They were then asked to pack up and get gone.

This didn't set too well with them so they strutted around a bit and left in a huff. The general consensus among the rest of us was "don't let the gate hit your ass on the way out and don't come back."

It wasn't the first time non-member visitors seemed to think the club rules don't apply to them whether it's basic gun safety, shell restrictions or eyes and ears. And after the performance by this sawed-off little dickhead and his gf last week it wouldn't surprise me if our club reconsidered its open access policy.

I like non-member visitors because they are most often good for the sport and for the club. But no club needs to carry the responsibility to chase after a minority of complete jerks who can't seem to follow common sense rules.:mad:
 
you find that with most activities. ie;theres always someone who doesn't want to conform to basic rules that have been set out.i don't like the idea of restricting access to non members because of a small % of people that generally stir up problems as most people are very willing to adhere to different club rules.

most ranges i go to have day cards for drop-ins.
 
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Our club allows non members, charges a day use fee ($15) and a dollar more per round than for members. Most ask about (and follow) the rules, but there are always some pre season hunters who don't see anything wrong with trying out their goose loads on the trap range. They always get caught because the sound of a hot load of BB's from a 3 inch shell is subtly different than that of a standard trap load, and the trained ear of our manager (and everyone else within 400 yards) can recognize the difference.

Sharptail
 
Where to start.....

Yes, my club allows non-members to come and shoot. Quite frankly it would be very difficult to attract new members if you don't. We allow anyone to come out up to 3 times to try our facility before requiring them to join the club. We also allow members of recognized shooting organizations (NSSA, ATA, NSCA etc) from out of town to use our facility when they are in our area (somewhat of a professional courtesy so to speak).

To try and attract new members we have a few shotguns available to lend to those who don't have equipment. New folks are kept under close supervision until they can clearly demonstrate that they can safely handle a gun. If you don't keep bringing new members in, a club will die.



Claybuster said:
Last Wednesday a young man and his girlfriend shooting shooting five stand at our club were told to leave after being asked twice to put on eye protection, once by the trapper and then by the range manager. After the second request, they offered up some lame excuse about their eye protection being broken (spare safety glasses are available in the club house). They were then asked to pack up and get gone.

This didn't set too well with them so they strutted around a bit and left in a huff. The general consensus among the rest of us was "don't let the gate hit your ass on the way out and don't come back."

It wasn't the first time non-member visitors seemed to think the club rules don't apply to them whether it's basic gun safety, shell restrictions or eyes and ears. And after the performance by this sawed-off little dickhead and his gf last week it wouldn't surprise me if our club reconsidered its open access policy.

I like non-member visitors because they are most often good for the sport and for the club. But no club needs to carry the responsibility to chase after a minority of complete jerks who can't seem to follow common sense rules.:mad:
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I will ask someone to put on their eye protection one time. From there I will 'ask' them to leave, member or non-member. Eye protection on a shotgun range is not optional; PERIOD.

I just replaced a set of lenses due to repeated use (pieces of bird or lead coming back and hitting me in the glasses). I've been hit in the leg twice this year with lead spinning back off of targets. Both times resulted in a pretty good bruise. Shooting without glasses WILL result in injury, it is just a matter of when, not if it will happen.

Shooting without glasses is inviting an accident that would likely result in significant problems (ie lawsuite/closure) for the club. As much as I would like to encourage a new member, I refuse to let them be in a situation that could ultimately result in my club being shut down.

I've gone to members, non-members, guests, and spectators and informed them they would have to be wear glasses if they want to continue. My least favourite situation is when someone brings their children out to watch and don't bring eye/ear protection.

I've never had someone not comply. At times I've personally brought out eyewear for someone to put on. However I'd have no problem escorting someone who refused to wear it right off the property. You don't need a new member like that.

Brad.
 
I will ask someone to put on their eye protection one time. From there I will 'ask' them to leave, member or non-member. Eye protection on a shotgun range is not optional; PERIOD.
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Exactly. This is a no brainer.


We allow a personto come three times to the club and try trap. They have to pay for there targets and shells. After three times we ask that they become a member. We encourage people to come and try as we are always looking for new members.

Jacky
 
This is exactly the kind of thread I logged on to try and find. I just bought my first shotgun and although its not the proper tool for the job, I wanted to try shooting some clay. I bought a Winchester 1300 Defender (looked awsume and I just had to have it). I'm a member at The Grange and shoot handgun and a 10/22 at least once a week.

Where do I go to try some clay?
How do I know what he hell to do once I get there?

I feel a little dumb about all this but I am eager. Can anyone help? Maybe a guided tour with a little instruction.

Advise appreciated

Gianni
 
Claybuster said:
Where I shoot anyone can show up with a shotgun, pay for targets and shoot clays. Some clubs however restrict access to members and guests and for good reason sometimes...
I like non-member visitors because they are most often good for the sport and for the club. But no club needs to carry the responsibility to chase after a minority of complete jerks who can't seem to follow common sense rules.:mad:
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I've been a guest at two different gun clubs, but always with a member. Eye and ear protection are rules made for everyone's protection...and necessary. I would never try any sport without being properly outfitted. Those two were jerks for sure.
 
I live on Vancouver Island and I can only think of one club where membership is required to shoot.The other 9 or so have no such requirement.My home club charges the same $3.50 a round for both members and non members.
Dave
 
I am not a member where I shoot but i pay for the clays and rounds I shoot. and they have a BBQ every Wed:) . after shooting trap. But I only get to shoot without a membership because im 14...:D
 
as a rule i wear ear protection ALWAYS and eye protection when shooting semi rifles or shotguns and any shotgun in general anytime i bring a new guy out they are told to wear eyes and ears all the time or i take em home and if the club i am shooting at requires eyes and ears at all times i wear them at ALL times
 
Guest of a Member (3x) , and guests from other "nearby" Gun Clubs (informal, bilateral arrangements ) . Non-member waiver form required for each guest visit. After 3 times ..."join". Participants in Registered Shoots NSSA/OSSA excepted.

Continually a "waiting list" for new members, who must have a PAL/POL, and shoot at least three times with a member at each discipline
(trap, skeet, sporting clays, rifle) they choose to participate in, as a familiarization process. Handgun has a separate training course.

Range Rules are posted. "Eyes & ears" are mandatory, no exceptions.
Size 7-1/2 or smaller target loads only on the clay target courses.
Separate pattern plate & area for those who want to pattern turkey loads, heavy lead loads, etc.

Has worked pretty well so far. Very minimum of problems ... but like every other Club, "internal politics" are what they are, and it's usually only the same old gang who gets the work done when it needs to be.
 
... Club has a seemingly continual "waiting list" for those wanting to join, and as far back as I can remember, hasn't actually sought a wholesale membership increase. I suspect as a corollary however, there may well be a finite limit to how numerous the membership can/might be, in respect to the amount and type of facilities available. It is seemingly operated very much as a membership club, rather than a commercial venture.

By having members introduce guests ( potential new members) , I suppose that the individual members are in effect vouching for these membership candidates ... hence very few problems like the the snot-nosed little Rambo with his GF who refused to abide by Club rules mentioned earlier !
 
just out of curiosity here but So what? if the guy doesnt want to wear glasses then it's his own fault if something happens. why force it? same with ear plugs, if someone doesnt want to wear them for whatever reason then it's their problem if they go deaf. not wearing glasses or ear plugs isnt endanging anyone else or any club property so if someone doesnt want to wear them why should he have to? if something happens it's his own fault and his own problem. I say don't worry about what other people are doing, so long as it doesnt endager you or the club property. if you wanna show up to the range in a bullet proof vest and a and helmet then go for it, but not everyone does.

Ive only shot trap once and i didnt wear eye or ear protection. most people there werent wearing glasses either but most had ear plugs. Is your own saefty not a personal choice any more? (im not saying you shouldnt wear them im just saying that if you don't want to why should you be forced to as it's not gonna hurt anyone but yourself?)
 
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In a one word answear it all boils down to " liability " for the club. The club carries a responsibility for the safety of the shooters hence the rules for eye and ear protection.

The eye and ear protection rules are in place to prevent injuries so clubs can avoid potentially getting sued by an injured shooter and to keep insurance premiums obtainable.

I've been hit several times by pellets after a ricochet from a clay on the skeet field. Wearing eye & ear protection to prevent an injury certainly makes sense to me.
 
Chopperhead said:
just out of curiosity here but So what? if the guy doesnt want to wear glasses then it's his own fault if something happens...... why force it? .............not wearing glasses or ear plugs isnt endanging anyone else or any club property so if someone doesnt want to wear them why should he have to? if something happens it's his own fault and his own problem. I say don't worry about what other people are doing, so long as it doesnt endager you or the club property....
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Sadly it just doesn't work this way. In today's society lawyers determine how things work. If you go to a club and are 'allowed' to shoot with out glasses, and then proceed to have an eye shot out several things will happen.

1) You will go to the hospital who will call the police because you sustained an injury as a result of a firearm. An investigation will result which at best will result in the gun range being shut down for an investigation and possibly permanantly.

2) You are going to get a lawyer of your own and sue the club for allowing you to shoot w/o glasses. No insurance is going to cover an accident based upon stupidity like failing to enforce a rule like wearing eye protection. As a result the club will have to liquidate, and the directors of the club may face personal bankrupcy as they are held reliable.

It is never an individual's fault anymore when they do something stupid and get hurt. There is always someone else to blame (and sue).

When someone at your club shoots without glasses, they are endangering your club's ability to keep on operating.

I'm not going to let some little pissant screw up my club by not taking basic safety precautions. That's why I care, and that's why I won't allow it at my club.

Brad.
 
Licensed AND un licensed Non memebers can shoot, but a member must be present.

We do most of our recruiting using pistol poker and skeet days where memebers can bring in un licensed non-members to try out the sport.

We don't charge a fee for guests to shoot.
 
ya I suppose so. kinda sucks doncha think that people can't take responsiblility for their own actions any more. I didnt even realise that someone would sue the club over something they did on their own and is 100% their own fault for getting injured.

think maybe if someone were to say sign a waver then you could let them go without glasses? I ask because I hate wearing glasses. They don't fit right cause I guess I have a stange nose or some thng but they always slide off and move all over my face and it's so annoying and frustrating to keep puting ur glasses back on every 5 seconds. and i also find that wearing glasses impairs my vision and ability to shoot properly not a whole lot but it's noticeable.



bmcrae said:
Sadly it just doesn't work this way. In today's society lawyers determine how things work. If you go to a club and are 'allowed' to shoot with out glasses, and then proceed to have an eye shot out several things will happen.

1) You will go to the hospital who will call the police because you sustained an injury as a result of a firearm. An investigation will result which at best will result in the gun range being shut down for an investigation and possibly permanantly.

2) You are going to get a lawyer of your own and sue the club for allowing you to shoot w/o glasses. No insurance is going to cover an accident based upon stupidity like failing to enforce a rule like wearing eye protection. As a result the club will have to liquidate, and the directors of the club may face personal bankrupcy as they are held reliable.

It is never an individual's fault anymore when they do something stupid and get hurt. There is always someone else to blame (and sue).

When someone at your club shoots without glasses, they are endangering your club's ability to keep on operating.

I'm not going to let some little pissant screw up my club by not taking basic safety precautions. That's why I care, and that's why I won't allow it at my club.

Brad.
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