jokester_143
New member
I just recently joined a range in my (new) local area. They have a rule that doesn't allow guests to accompany you. How common is this, as the range I used to go to before I moved didn't have that rule?
Range Guests
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357 Python
New member
If they are not operated by a gun club they probably want people to pay for their time on the range. The club I belong to has a policy that you are allowed to bring a particular guest to the range 3 times unless the guest is a family member. After the third time the guest is supposed to be required to join the club. So far I have not heard of this policy being strictly enforced.
buck460XVR
New member
I would assume it's a numbers issue........as in two friends shooting all the time, while only one is a member. This goes along with what 357 Python posted. Like my dad always told me, "No need to pay for the cow, if the milk is already free!"
ScottRiqui
New member
At my range, I can bring guests as often as I'd like at no additional charge. the first time they shoot at the range, they have to take a safety test (good for a year).
In theory, I'm limited to one guest unless I pay for an additional lane (there's a two-shooter maximum per lane), but the management is pretty laid back and will let me bring two guests along on a single lane with no problem.
In theory, I'm limited to one guest unless I pay for an additional lane (there's a two-shooter maximum per lane), but the management is pretty laid back and will let me bring two guests along on a single lane with no problem.
Our gun club allows a person to visit as a guest, three times, and then they must join to continue coming.
Makes perfect sense to me.
Spouses are allowed to come, at any time, children, etc. are allowed to come as guests, but if they are of age they too are encouraged to join.
Makes perfect sense to me.
Why should I be subsidizing a guy who comes three times and wants to keep coming but is unwilling to pony up and pay his way like the rest of us?
Makes perfect sense to me.
Spouses are allowed to come, at any time, children, etc. are allowed to come as guests, but if they are of age they too are encouraged to join.
Makes perfect sense to me.
Why should I be subsidizing a guy who comes three times and wants to keep coming but is unwilling to pony up and pay his way like the rest of us?
ScottRiqui
New member
That does make sense. I think things are a little different at my range because it's on a Marine base. For one, the range isn't as profit-driven as a private range, since it's subsidized by the Morale/Welfare/Recreation program. Also, they realize that civilian guests aren't going to become members anyway because they're not going to be able to get on base by themselves.
Stressfire
New member
My club has that rule. Not to say that it is always followed.
In our case, it was due to one or two members regularly bringing their entire families and all their friends at once all the time to shoot under one membership. Even though all were local to the area, no one who came as a guest ever joined and paid dues. They also never cleaned up after themselves.
I don't agree with the policy at all - how is membership supposed to increase if you cannot bring guests every now and again
In our case, it was due to one or two members regularly bringing their entire families and all their friends at once all the time to shoot under one membership. Even though all were local to the area, no one who came as a guest ever joined and paid dues. They also never cleaned up after themselves.
I don't agree with the policy at all - how is membership supposed to increase if you cannot bring guests every now and again
Sparks1957
New member
I can understand why a range might limit guests. The one nearest my house allows my wife in with me if she wants to go, and the other one I go to is actually a family membership for the regular dues. Being there's only two of us, we don't abuse the privileges.
gun club or range SOPs....
I can understand how or why a private, member supported gun range or club would have strict SOPs about guests or friends on the range(s).
It could be a safety or liability issue.
In my local area, there have been around 4-5 different suicides or murder-suicides at gun ranges(small business) open to the general public.
I can see some members having guests but it would need to be limited.
I'm always leery of other gun owners on ranges open to the public. I've seen people rapid fire, wave loaded guns around, point firearms all over, & use dangerous or poorly maintained firearms.
Range or safety officers could enforce the club rules with authorized guests but many private clubs don't have them.
Clyde
I can understand how or why a private, member supported gun range or club would have strict SOPs about guests or friends on the range(s).
It could be a safety or liability issue.
In my local area, there have been around 4-5 different suicides or murder-suicides at gun ranges(small business) open to the general public.
I can see some members having guests but it would need to be limited.
I'm always leery of other gun owners on ranges open to the public. I've seen people rapid fire, wave loaded guns around, point firearms all over, & use dangerous or poorly maintained firearms.
Range or safety officers could enforce the club rules with authorized guests but many private clubs don't have them.
Clyde
When I first joined my range, you could bring guests pretty much as you liked. The only restriction was if the lanes were full, guests had to give up their lanes first. As the membership has climbed they have increased the restrictions to having a limit on the number of guests at one time to 2 plus immediate family. Still lowest priortiy for lanes. I was a guest at the range before I joined, and feel the current restrictions are not unreasonable. If you really wanted to have a large number of guests for a special shooting party or such you can schedule the whole range, although I am not sure what restrictions are for that. The guests do have to be accompied by a member, so no shooting on their own, and the member is responsible for their conduct.
aarondhgraham
New member
Mine has a sane guest policy,,,
I can bring guests to my range,,,
Any one guest can only visit three times in a year.
I believe this is a reasonable policy,,,
If a person really enjoys shooting at the range,,,
They should pony up the cash, fill out the forms, and join up.
It's very reasonable to allow for guests,,,
But as in any endeavor some will abuse the rule.
I would guess that no guest ranges have an insurance issue.
Aarond
.
I can bring guests to my range,,,
Any one guest can only visit three times in a year.
I believe this is a reasonable policy,,,
If a person really enjoys shooting at the range,,,
They should pony up the cash, fill out the forms, and join up.
It's very reasonable to allow for guests,,,
But as in any endeavor some will abuse the rule.
I would guess that no guest ranges have an insurance issue.
Aarond
.
Ranges cost money to operate, target stand repairs, insurance and for indoor ranges you have electric and heat.
Our range dues are $25 per year ($35 for family), which gets you unlimited access to the indoor or out door range.
Target stands get shot up, they are target stands however, meaning that is a variable cost. Or the more people shooting, the more repairs needed.
So lets say you have 100 members, and funds to do the maintains or repairs needed to support 100 members, and half these members show up with a guest. Your maintenance cost is gonna go up 50%, but you income doesn't go up. Who's gonna pay.
What we do is allow people to bring guest, but that guest has to pay $5 per session.
What is unfair about that?
To make a range work work we have a small percentage who show up at work parties to built target stands, police up trash, etc. Its hard enough to take care of members, but when you add guest you adding to the cost without adding to the income.
I like the way the Lander Valley Sportsman's Club does it. Their membership is a bit higher but they off huge discounts to members who show up for work parties. So if one was short of funds, he could in theory shoot for nothing bu putting in a few hours in help maintaining the range.
Still there is the material cost. Lumber isn't cheap. Steel targets is more expensive.
No sir, I see nothing wrong with charging guest. Many would take advantage of the free guest programs, where as if they go to the range 5 times, they realize they could have joined for $25, and shoot 365 times. Do the math.
Our range dues are $25 per year ($35 for family), which gets you unlimited access to the indoor or out door range.
Target stands get shot up, they are target stands however, meaning that is a variable cost. Or the more people shooting, the more repairs needed.
So lets say you have 100 members, and funds to do the maintains or repairs needed to support 100 members, and half these members show up with a guest. Your maintenance cost is gonna go up 50%, but you income doesn't go up. Who's gonna pay.
What we do is allow people to bring guest, but that guest has to pay $5 per session.
What is unfair about that?
To make a range work work we have a small percentage who show up at work parties to built target stands, police up trash, etc. Its hard enough to take care of members, but when you add guest you adding to the cost without adding to the income.
I like the way the Lander Valley Sportsman's Club does it. Their membership is a bit higher but they off huge discounts to members who show up for work parties. So if one was short of funds, he could in theory shoot for nothing bu putting in a few hours in help maintaining the range.
Still there is the material cost. Lumber isn't cheap. Steel targets is more expensive.
No sir, I see nothing wrong with charging guest. Many would take advantage of the free guest programs, where as if they go to the range 5 times, they realize they could have joined for $25, and shoot 365 times. Do the math.
safety; members-public ranges...
There are some good posts here.
Another point I'd make is a safety factor. I wouldn't want to be a "safety nazi"
but I wouldn't want to be on a active gun range(hot) then see a few rowdy guests roll in with a class III Uzi or a "sawed-off" 12ga pump.
I wouldn't want to play "town marshal" either. I've seen people flare up in public libraries & super-markets, a gun range is a whole other story.
Clyde
There are some good posts here.
Another point I'd make is a safety factor. I wouldn't want to be a "safety nazi"
but I wouldn't want to be on a active gun range(hot) then see a few rowdy guests roll in with a class III Uzi or a "sawed-off" 12ga pump.I wouldn't want to play "town marshal" either. I've seen people flare up in public libraries & super-markets, a gun range is a whole other story.
Clyde
Stressfire
New member
Not a thing. It would be nice to have the option. And $5 for a range day is pretty darn cheap
Most of the reason for the no guest policy at my club is for the abuse noted above - and because it is not supervised aside from the two times a week that the club has events
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My current range allows guests for a theoretical 3 times before buying membership. (But there is a waiting list for membership.)
What I really like (and I mean it sincerely) is that you can have no more than 2 guests at the same time. This is so that you can keep a close eye on them for everyone's safety.
What I really like (and I mean it sincerely) is that you can have no more than 2 guests at the same time. This is so that you can keep a close eye on them for everyone's safety.
thedudeabides
New member
My range won't allow guests, unless you've taken a course on training firearms safety to others. It didn't take long, and let me take my wife along to teach her to shoot.
My range allows children of a member to shoot free if under 21 years old. Guests are allowed but must pay a range fee if they shoot. Membership fees are rather high but the club has 1,400 acres and includes general ranges, rifle ranges, pistol pits, archery, trap, camping area, casting ponds, and more.