Posted: 1/28/2005 4:23:17 AM EDT
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I just received my latest NewsShot and have a couple of questions about bylaw changes. As written in the newsletter and effective immediately: Bylaw 002 Members' Privileges A member of the Association shall be granted preference over any guest of a member in the use of the ranges, except for Association approved organized activities. STRICKEN FROM THE BYLAWS Bylaw 003 Members' Privileges Members are limited to two shooting guests on all ranges except for regularly scheduled shoots, or two guests on the lake. Guests must be under member's supervision at all times. STRICKEN FROM THE BYLAWS Bylaw 402 General Rules of Conduct and Safety All guests must be accompanied by a member when using Association facilities except when participating in organized scheduled activities. STRICKEN FROM THE BYLAWS It sounds as though guests are no longer permitted. Anybody got another angle on this or some information from last month's meeting to share? If this is the case, I will likely drop from the roles. How are you supposed to introduce new shooters to the sport when you can't bring a guest? Take them to Target World? Yeah, that'll sure have a positive impact on their impression of shooters. |
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I've not seen the latest NewsShot but agree that it what it sounds like. I have kept my membership there even since I moved to Columbus because of the liberal guest policy and the ability to take friends and family out for some shooting. I know its not worth it to them to be members for one or two days a year but its worth it to me to be able to take them, even if my Grandfather repeatedly makes me think I'd do better throwing rocks. Maybe related to the problems of people shooting centerfire rifles on plinking and pistol ranges and the accountability (maybe even limiting access to the range with a card) that was discussed in the December meeting? |
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I too was totally confused by these stricken bylaws. Part of me thought they may have eliminated guest privledges because it was part of a "deal" being made with the folks across the river. That's total speculation on my part. Also, I've heard a rumor that they plan to shorten the rifle range to 100 yards and build a super-high mountain of dirt as a backstop to please these same folks while keeping the rifle range open. If it turns out that they lose the rifle range, I'm afraid they're gonna lose me and a lot of other members too. Keep your fingers crossed. Cincylance |
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Yeah I’m dragging up an old thread but figured there needed to be an update. Made it to the meeting today and I have never seen such a turn out. Guess it could be that it was election time, or all the trap/skeet guys who would have been shooting were driven in by the rain. More I think about it though it had to do with the 'range evaluation' and the bylaw changes. For the guest question, yes the bylaw changes mean that there are no guests allowed at the range unless at a 'sanctioned' event. So if there’s a match or something guests are welcome but if you just want to introduce someone into shooting in a non competitive environment your SOL. Consultants recommended some major changes/renovations to the pistol and rifle ranges. No cutting down the distance for the rifle range but the recommended a baffle system for it, and a replacement of the topsoil to cut down on skip outs, same for the pistol range, berm all the way around both ranges increased. Prices are painfully high for the estimates, around $1200 per member... I wrote a long thing on it and will happily send it to folks that are interested. Unfortunately I'll not know more again because I just can't see renewing if I can't take a guest. |
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Shit, I completely spaced the meeting yesterday. I hope they realize that the costs for those "improvements" to the facilities are going to cost even more, as many (such as myself) will not be renewing our memberships due to the fact we can no longer take guests to the facility. This is bullshit. I think I'll give George Quigly a call to let him know how I feel about the bylaw changes. |
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I guess I should not have mentioned the 'cost' to the members that way, but was trying to illustrate the possible length of time for the fixes at the current membership rate. They aren't going to be directly billing and its possible that some of the things can be done cheaper, but the earth replacement alone is staggering. I really like the RSO idea, there needs to be someone there when the place is open to supervise and SHOULD have but didn't ask if a RSO was needed for the Skeet and Trap 
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| I was there yesterday as well, and the solution presented by the "experts" is completely unworkable (unless we get some sort of grant or have the mother of all fundraisers). Perhaps we should consider moving the rifle range - that kind of money would buy an awfully big piece of land, and if we got one with a large, natural hill on it, that would solve most of the problem. Surely we can find an available plot somewhere in the general vicinity. Barring that, the Rifle range MUST be re-opened this year if it's going to be done at all - otherwise, there won't be enough renewals next year to pay for anything. |
Exactly my point. Forget the rifle range for a moment...just the bylaw change disallowing guests in and of itself is enough to cost them enough members to make a significant difference. The short-sightedness of that decision alone is staggering. As stated above, "How are you supposed to introduce new shooters to the sport when you can't bring a guest?" How are we supposed to grow the sport and overcome the media bias against the shooting sports when you can't bring youngsters or newbies to the club where they can see safe and fun firearms use in person? I have introduced many left-wing associates to the shooting sports by bringing them to FSA. I guess I can't do that anymore. They'll just keep on believing the stigma of the popular media and lies of the anti-gunners and my own gun club prevents me from turning those myths and stereotypes around. I am practically apopletic at the stupidity of this decision. Hell, just having RSOs will negate the threat of "unsupervised guests" running rampant without having to go the extra knee-jerk reaction of banning guests altogether. I will be writing a letter to all club officers informing them of my thoughts on the recent bylaw change and my decision to not renew my membership. I am very disappointed with how they have chosen to handle this decision.  This really sucks...FSA was a nice facility that was only 20min from home. Miami, here I come... |
100% agreed. At the meeting, the board indicated that the no guest policy may be revisited, but they certainly didn't guarantee anything. I also make use of my membership to introduce new shooters to the sport. The suggestion that taking someone to an organized shoot is just as good is a bunch of bull - I don't know anyone who would have felt comfortable firing a gun for the first time at a competition. I am certain that our board members are trying their best to get our range back in operation, but it would be awfully nice if they were more open to suggestions from members and not quite so defensive when someone attempts to give them some constructive criticism. |
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well anytime i go shooting there i always take a friend or two. Now if they are not going to allow guests I too will probably go elsewhere. Though i think they will rethink this. How do they plan to get new members if we cant take people to the club. Also if people are writing expressing their feelings about this they may rethink it even more. If we all wrote in saying we will not renew memberships i can bet you they will definitely rethink it |