Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

by **Kreutz** » Sat, 13 Aug 2011 15:53:14

SHMIV wrote:A previous poster opined that the state has no obligation to set up firing ranges. I agree that the obligation does not exist. However, I still feel that it is worthwhile to petition for public ranges in state parks. The land exists on each park, and a range does not run contrary the mission statement of the state park system.

Further, there exists public libraries, public swimming pools, public tennis courts, workout facilities, etc., etc. Why not a public firing range?

True, but again, its a matter of lobbying. If the OP really wants a range that badly, he needs to get people in his area (so their legislators will actually care what they have to say) and get the zoning laws changed.

Not sure if VA allows privately run facilities on public land (like allowing a private range in a state park for a fee and/or profit-sharing) but that can be a taxpayer friendly avenue.

by **SHMIV** » Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:59:17

Oh, by all means, Kreutz. I'd say petition on both a state and local level.

I read the OP's commentary to be somewhat of a rallying cry, amongst other things. I also think that the OP makes a valid case in pointing out that a lack of shooting options is a subtle form of gun control.

Sadly, I think that what has happened here in Virginia is that we've had so many people migrate from areas with heavily restrictive gun laws, and they have gotten involved at community levels and are trying to turn our communities into warmer versions of the ones that they've left.

My personal complaint is that there are no financially viable places for me to go shoot, and I know that I can't be the only one who can't afford membership fee's or the long drive to the closest range. Part of my purpose for joining this forum was to find others who might be willing to petition on a state and/or local level. And, perhaps the OP had similar thoughts in mind.

by **wally626** » Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:15:34

VA has pre-emption for buying and carrying guns and the State laws are fairly good, not perfect but OK. Shooting falls under local ordinances, in some places these can be very restrictive, also VA does not allow shooting on public land except at designated ranges. So your options come down to, find a private–open to public range, join a club, shoot at the national forrest ranges, or own enough property in a county or city that allows shooting, to do so on your own property. In many parts of VA that means spending a lot of money or long travel times.

I joined a club that is fairly convent to me, but I can see the frustrations on people who live in other parts of the state.

by **Kreutz** » Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:11:46

SHMIV wrote:Oh, by all means, Kreutz. I'd say petition on both a state and local level.

I read the OP's commentary to be somewhat of a rallying cry, amongst other things. I also think that the OP makes a valid case in pointing out that a lack of shooting options is a subtle form of gun control.

Sadly, I think that what has happened here in Virginia is that we've had so many people migrate from areas with heavily restrictive gun laws, and they have gotten involved at community levels and are trying to turn our communities into warmer versions of the ones that they've left.

My personal complaint is that there are no financially viable places for me to go shoot, and I know that I can't be the only one who can't afford membership fee's or the long drive to the closest range. Part of my purpose for joining this forum was to find others who might be willing to petition on a state and/or local level. And, perhaps the OP had similar thoughts in mind.

I'm lucky in that I have a great indoor pistol range 15 minutes away, and the national forest range 45 minutes away, but hell, I'll admit I'm surprised to find out not everyone else does too!

by **SHMIV** » Sun, 14 Aug 2011 04:07:42

I would have thought that up there in Roanoke, it would be easy to find a land-owning friend with a place to shoot, which eliminates the need for a range, lol.

The thing with me, all I want to do, once or twice a month, is shoot off a box of shells in order to familiarize myself with my gun, and stay familiarized. I'd probably go through a box of shells in less than 20 minutes, then I'd be done. I've also noted that some places don't seem shotgun friendly (I could be wrong). Considering that all I own is a shotgun, such policy presents a small problem.

by **usafforwardcommand** » Sun, 14 Aug 2011 07:28:19

We have a governor who is apt at handling issues like this. A few phone calls and emails would do great things. As for the rest of these issues, money talks and you know the rest. Get a friend with land and go shoot your hearts desire.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

by **wpoppert** » Sun, 14 Aug 2011 07:37:42

SHMIV wrote:I would have thought that up there in Roanoke, it would be easy to find a land-owning friend with a place to shoot, which eliminates the need for a range, lol.

The thing with me, all I want to do, once or twice a month, is shoot off a box of shells in order to familiarize myself with my gun, and stay familiarized. I'd probably go through a box of shells in less than 20 minutes, then I'd be done. I've also noted that some places don't seem shotgun friendly (I could be wrong). Considering that all I own is a shotgun, such policy presents a small problem.

I've belonged to a couple of ranges in Southside Tidewater, and both were shotgun friendly. Actually, one was a skeet/trap range, so they were kinda obliged to be shotgun friendly. I've let my membership lapse there, but only because I have limited time to shoot and prefer to focus on my handgun and rifle skills, at least for now. I can take my shotgun to the rifle/pistol range, but have not done so yet.

by **Radiac** » Sun, 14 Aug 2011 10:40:15

zombiekiller57 wrote:I agree on the Range side. The regulations are tuff and the ranges are few but as far as gun rights go Virginia is not half bad, and it keeps getting better. Now we work on the regulation, Or go but 10 acres in the country

You can buy 10 acres in the "country" but in about 50 years or so that "country" will be developed. Houses will be built around your range. The morons that buy these houses will then complain about the noise and the local government will be on your back to provide some kind of noise abatement.

I wont even get into "errant dischage" containment.

It can get expensive.

by **wfctrc** » Sat, 10 Sep 2011 07:00:31

This thread is just plain silly
VA is anti gun because you cant find a place to shoot that is close enough and nice enough for your discriminating taste?
:doh:

by **Kreutz** » Sat, 10 Sep 2011 10:34:27

SHMIV wrote:I would have thought that up there in Roanoke, it would be easy to find a land-owning friend with a place to shoot, which eliminates the need for a range, lol.

Truth is the only place around here that fits the bill is Catawba....and I ain't from Catawba, so people from Catawba want nothing to do with me. They have a strong "us vs outsiders" mentality.

The thing with me, all I want to do, once or twice a month, is shoot off a box of shells in order to familiarize myself with my gun, and stay familiarized. I'd probably go through a box of shells in less than 20 minutes, then I'd be done. I've also noted that some places don't seem shotgun friendly (I could be wrong). Considering that all I own is a shotgun, such policy presents a small problem.

I hear ya, I'm the same way. A box of ammo lasts me ages.

by **thekinetic** » Sat, 10 Sep 2011 11:16:58

Where I live there's sharpshooters (what use to be gilberts), NRA, and silver eagle. And that's just the ones I go to, and all a reasonable at 10-25 bucks an hour.(yes that last is a bit pricey but that's silver eagle which is a beautiful range up to 250 yards and you can shoot most guns, except I think 50 cals, black powder, and shot shells all else is fair game).

For the rest I can make a day trip to warrenton to clarks brothers or if just shot gunning to bull run or quantico.

So what's this about no ranges? :roll:

by **Chasbo00** » Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:00:25

thekinetic wrote:... that's silver eagle which is a beautiful range up to 250 yards...

I wish it were 250, but it's just 50 yards maximum. Still, that's rare for an indoor range. The NRA indoor range is also 50 yards.

by **spadesofcolumbia** » Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:05:59

I live in Montana now but i was born in VA and found my love for guns in VA. I come from the Fulks run area and i remember just drivin up the wilderness and shooting. I found it to be very friendly indeed...but that was years ago.

by **Reverenddel** » Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:28:55

The problem with a hunting club is they have large swaths of property to facilitate their hobby.

So a Gun club would need, what? 200 acres to make sure no one fusses? An entrance, an outbuilding, and an established range... It's expensive... the commentary may hold water...

I think the VGIF ought to encourage more rifle shooting, simply to make better hunters.

by **rynhere** » Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:48:36

seeknulfind wrote:When I comes to range shooting, I know next to nothing. The last time I did much shooting was when I lived in Western New York where just about every township has a private Rod and Gun club. They all had ranges. Not many were set up for pistol ranges that I remember - NY is VERY unfriendly concerning handguns - you had (have) to have a permit to OWN one. I don't think they were hard to get in my county but I never went through the hassle.

Back on the range - the Rod and Gun clubs were cheap to join. A friend of mine, nearly as frugal as I am and not any wealthier, belonged to at least 3 that I know of. Funny thing, we'd go the the range to shoot together and we were often the only ones there.

So please, keep my own limited experience in mind as I comment here.

From what I've read, it seems a range master is often desired, if not required. For a busy range, I'd think this may be a good idea. But people cost money. So this would add significantly to the cost of any range.

Now about those regulations...

I don't know what they are but may I propose that no matter what they are we should not only be aware of them (and I'm sure some here are) but also be committed to working towards making it as easy as possible for someone to start, own and operate a good, safe range. I think this should be well within the interest of all citizens. Here's why:

We all know it's important to be comfortable and familiar with our weapons of choice. Few things are more dangerous than something that is easy to operate and easy to mishandle - an automobile, for example. BTW, IMO, automobiles are a much greater danger to society than firearms.

So how can responsible citizens become comfortable and familiar with firearms? It's a no-brainer - shooting. Thus to that end, ranges should be encouraged if not downright demanded by a sane society.

Two ways this can be accomplished is by requiring localities to provide safe ranges to practice or by easing up on regulations, paving the way for a proliferation of private ranges.

A third way would be to go the private Rod and Gun club route. This would've been easier to accomplish 50 years ago when property was more affordable.

Andy

here, here. well stated

by **Tazguy04** » Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:00:50

I do not know if the will help the OP but i have heard from some of my friends who work at Green Top that there are about to start building a ranger in the next 6 months to a year.

by **vooduchkn** » Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:44

I think this was decided in SCOTUS case law that states cannot prohibit gun ranges for training and proficiency, but they are not obligated to provide them.

The case escapes me, but it was fallout from Heller vs Mcdonald. Since I will never live in Chicago, I don't really care.

Pissed off? Open a range. I will volunteer to RSO the place.

by **chuckjordan2** » Sun, 25 Dec 2011 12:34:28

Bringing this subject to the top again....

There are good points being discussed, yet, no current evidence which state(s) are better. Current being in the past 3 years.

Let me clarify that point; I grew up in the Chicago suburbs in the 60's-70's and often shot at my uncles farm in Northern Ill. That's all developed housing now (been that way since the 80's). I no longer live there, however, I'm sure those that do have to travel many miles to a shooting range. My point here is the housing boom and population density has increased.

VA is on the East Coast and has a higher population density than out West. Shooting locations have decreased since the 60's and will continue to decrease with the population growth in the US.

I feel many here own land and can shoot anytime they want. Most likely they're not replying to this thread.

The OP has a good point (no places to shoot), but, his premise is not correct. VA is a good place to shoot (and this is critical), if you have the money for a private club or land.

We all choose to live where we can be employed, to me that means a decent sized city (pop 250K + ). To the OP (and others), name a city & state (with pop 250K +) where shooting is better. All I heard here are the negatives, tell me where it's better (and not some 30 years ago)!

by **SigmaShooter** » Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:16:03

SHMIV wrote:Further, there exists public libraries, public swimming pools, public tennis courts, workout facilities, etc., etc. Why not a public firing range?

Because there's no lead hazard with swimming pools or libraries. HAZMAT gives projects like this a giant wedgie.

Dosn't mean we shouldn't promote and or ask for them, however. Time to ping our local representatives...

Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

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