Ont. range without probation?

Silverdale, 1 day safety course, 4 probation shoots, and if you have restricted firearm already they apply for your ltatt on day 1
 
It's hard to imagine ANY other sport that tries so hard to keep new people out.

Shame on us all.

Exactly. We need to be driving as many people into the shooting sports as possible! I agree with probation periods for new shooters, but not all clubs probation periods are equal unfortunately. Some are obviously excessive.
 
EOHC, Grenvill Fish and Game, Stittsville Shooting Club, Smith's Falls Shooting Club, etc., etc...

Most Ontario clubs have no probationary period provided you do the safety course and pay your dues.

Nice to see options available... I know of many clubs with strict probations that have holes in the roof, stands blown to sh(t with shotguns, etc...


People running probations at their club need to consider this (and I hate to compare guns to cars, but... ) When you get your permit, you have to learn. You're on a probationary status. You're on your best behavior whenever you notice police around or when you're going for your road test... but when no one else is around or you already have your license... do people not speed? Do people not run stop signs? Do people not continue to disobey rules of the road? Collisions?

After participating in private and public ranges, I see an equal correlation between idiocy probation/no probation.
 
RA Gun club only requires that you attend their safety course (given almost every Friday night), then you are allowed to shoot .22lr, to qualify for center fire you only need to be able to shoot 10/10 within the "1" ring or better at 20 meters.

EOSC I'm not sure about but I can let you know next week (passing my club safety course on Sunday).
 
It's really frustrating when your one of the good guys and just want to take your handguns to the range and can't because the club that you pay thousands of dollars to be a part of has some 1 day course you have to do.. For a nominal fee of course to teach you about handgun safety BEFORE I can do my 5 probationary shoots.. Then await board approval. You would think they could start the ATT process right away as it likely won't come till after the course is finished ...

Yeah I'm bitter but I really think I have a right to be
 
How not to get new people interested in shooting, burden them with more stupid rules and regulations.

I'm glad the club I joined in BC, all I had to do was pay for my membership then use the range as I please.

Probation periods like that are just old boys clubs looking to appease the CFO to keep him off their backs. Fudds can Fuq off.
 
I am uncertain how to describe the op's probation period at the club he is looking into, seems extreme to say the least.

But probation periods are definitely a necessity and I fear often too short.

My club has very stringent rules and regulations, for good reason, SAFETY!

You are placed on probation and have to do at LEAST Three probationary shoots on the indoor range and Three on the outdoor range and another three for rifles outdoors.

That is the minimum many people have to do more than three before being signed off.

Then there is also holster courses, range officer courses etc...

The probationary "officer" signs off on every outing. Though I believe this is a very effective an thorough method, I still see people at the range doing things they were specifically told not to. How they fail to remember and respect the rules is beyond me and puts themselves and others at risk.

I always try my best to politely correct them and remind them of the rules. This isn't fun, but neither is getting shot.

Sorry that this rant is a little off course.

I would suggest trying another club, and when you are doing your probationary period to pay attention and remember rules and procedures, being polite and friendly will get you along way with the older members, and get you fast tracked perhaps.

Hey, I am not saying probation is a bad thing.....The problem I have with the probation is simply a person who has never handled a gun, shot in organized events or hunted is treated the same as a person who has.

I will go out of my way to support a club that wants me!

--------The reason we have probation--------
I was at a "box store" gun counter. A guy about 25-30 approached the counter and wanted to see a gun, a PAL was requested and displayed. The rest went like this.....
clerk: What gun are you interested in?
Guy: Maybe that or that one. (pointing at the rack)
clerk: what are you going to do with it?
Guy: I want to shoot long distance.
Clerk: How far?
Guy: About that far. (points at a canoe on the wall 40 yards away)
clerk: All these gun will shoot that far.
Guy: No way really? all of them?

I had to walk away.......he REQUIRES PROBATION/SUPERVISION

Education i guess is the better term but how did he get a PAL without the basic info all guns are dangerous past 40 yards?
 
Last edited:
Just to make it a little more difficult they only allow you to bring a guest 3 times per year (3 time per guest) so by the time I get my buddies, brother or "father in law" interested I have to break it to them that they can't come again till next year (its nit free to bring a guest either its 10 dollars)
 
Right now I'm waiting on a cssa class ... That no one wants to run in the winter before I can even apply for an ATT with the club, and I'm willing to bet I belong to one of the most costly clubs in the country..

I understand there has to be rules boys but I'm a member in good standing.. I'm allowd to shoot rifles and shotguns, never had a complaint in my 8 months at the club but can't get a ltatt

Hmmm... Sounds like my club. I have had my LTATT for years but some of the new members are waiting for the CSSA course. They usually run it based on attendance, not the season, but there are much fewer requests in winter. PM me with the name of the club. If it is my club, I may be able to pull a string to speed things up a bit.
 
...
I had to walk away.......he REQUIRES PROBATION/SUPERVISION

I've seen plenty of people who did not understand the mechanical operation of firearms in the least, yet were able to quickly learn to correctly handle and operate a firearm. Instead of judging people, why not encourage education. Probation and stupid rules do not encourage people to get educated or even want to be part of our lifestyle. They see this big long list of things they have to do, and how long they have to be supervised and they start to think that maybe the anti's were right that guns are too dangerous for the average joe.

The worst part is the people making up these stupid rules are the ones that think they are helping our cause! Instead of standing there, nose in the air pointing at the board "Read the Rules, that'll tell you everything you need to know!" help them to learn.

We need to get people interested in shooting, we need to take the time to properly educate people about firearms and their use. We have to show that owning a firearm responsibly is not a big deal, and is a normal average Canadian hobby. If someone is being unsafe with a firearm, then obviously deal with the situation. Don't waste your time being politically correct either. Probation periods and long lists of regulations and conditions is a perfect example of being politically correct. Don't do it.
 
I've seen plenty of people who did not understand the mechanical operation of firearms in the least, yet were able to quickly learn to correctly handle and operate a firearm. Instead of judging people, why not encourage education.

Agreed.
I understand extreme measures are unjust, but there must be a minimum crash course for ranges.
As an avid shooter, I feel very uneasy and unsafe if a new pistol shooter has no idea of the basic range rules, let alone a basic proof of ability.
I don't like to be sweeped, and have been on countless outings (by members and guests)

There is a need and requirement for a BASIC course where new members are given the proper instruction in pistol safety on any range, PERIOD.

Having said that, I reiterate: BASIC pistol safety.

An important caveat: A club should be able to prove and document due dilligence on their part.
I understand frustration on the part of the new pistol shooter. I was there myself at one point, and given, undo probationary periods and red tape are unnecessary, BUT, basic safety/range courses ARE necessary.

To what extent is up to the individual range.

I stand by that firmly.
 
Last edited:
Some ranges won't even let you join unless you have friends who already are members. You need to have someone on the inside to "sponsor" you.

How's that for an old boys club?

An actual conversation I had went like this;

"So you're saying that I can't join your club?"

"No. We're definitely NOT saying you can't join. We're just saying you can't join."
 
There are not that many clubs in Ontario to have the luxury of choice. That is the sad state of shooting in Onterrible.
 
There are not that many clubs in Ontario to have the luxury of choice. That is the sad state of shooting in Onterrible.

I think they all have their pluses and minuses. I'm a member of two clubs and frequent a third as a guest and am happy overall. I had to jump through a bunch of hoops to become a full member of both clubs, but once that was over I feel like I can just go and enjoy for the most part.
 
So not to get to far off topic.... Still looking for a club (Barrie or west to the huron shore) that has minimal HOOP JUMPING to
1. Take my money
2. Become a member
3. Simple club course
4. LTATT
 
So not to get to far off topic.... Still looking for a club (Barrie or west to the huron shore) that has minimal HOOP JUMPING to
1. Take my money
2. Become a member
3. Simple club course
4. LTATT

Pretty much. I"m not a Fudd, far from it. Just want to know that you know what's what and can handle yourself.
That's it.

When you've been shooting a while, I think you'll most likely agree.

And once you're in, you're in. Not to say you can't avoid clubs with UNDO prerequisites ;)

If you decide down the line to compete in IPSC or the like, you'll have to prove yourself again.
 
RA Gun club only requires that you attend their safety course (given almost every Friday night), then you are allowed to shoot .22lr, to qualify for center fire you only need to be able to shoot 10/10 within the "1" ring or better at 20 meters.

EOSC I'm not sure about but I can let you know next week (passing my club safety course on Sunday).

ill be there on the 17th also, although i have been there many times as a guest before. see ya sunday!
 
Back
Top Bottom