Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I just signed up today to have a closer place to shoot and hopefully save me some $$ as well, the facilities are awesome, signup is a little redundant and slightly overdone, but the thing that didn't really hit me until after the fact is the information they collect. During signup, the # on my CHP was recorded on the membership application and part of the app authorizes I background check? WTF do they need to do that for? I asked if that's only because of the membership and was told yes, I must have been a little off because now I'm kinda pissed I authorized it. Also why did they record my CHP#? If neither is needed for somebody just going in to shoot, I don't see the point in taking that info from a member. I think I'm calling tomorrow for some answers.

i've been following their build-out with much interest, but don't think i'll be joining.

i thought about going as a walk-in to use the facility when i'm in richmond, but the thing that'll stop me from visiting even as a non-member, is their policy of not allowing a holstered and loaded carry gun on the premises. i carry everywhere every day and i'm not going to unholster and unload my edc in a parking lot just so i can walk in the front door. the safest place for any firearm is secure in a holster.

the rules in some of these places is just baffling.

Asked for the CHP number? Strange......

Recording the CHP and doing a background check is pretty belt-and-suspenders. If they've got the permit they're a non-prohibited person by definition.

I wonder if they do that because they want to, in which case they're kind of dumb, or if they had to make some deals to get Henrico to allow them to operate.

Diomed wrote:I wonder if they do that because they want to, in which case they're kind of dumb, or if they had to make some deals to get Henrico to allow them to operate.

Reading my mind, definitely sounds like a side deal with the cops to me. Kind of messed up. My issue is that I don't need a CHP to shoot at a range, so why record it? grated it's the states permit so it's public at some level but seems unneeded. Either way when they try to look into me whether criminal or credit, They'll be blocked and I'll get a call (I've got Lifelock) so I'll know what info there trying to get.

My friend in Richmond tells me that some of the neighbors have complained they can here the guns being shot!

Colonial is not just a shooting range they also have firearms safety classes and a retail sales area. So I believe not allowing a load guns is normal for those type of businesses; load guns are not allow in Greentop, Bass Pro or Gander Mountain. I like the fact that this place does backgrounds, checks CCP and require you watch and retain information from a safety video. I don't feel like I need to keep looking over my shoulder because they don't allow just anyone to walk in off the street and start blasting rounds. A great thing about our country we all have the right to voice our opinions.

snatale42 wrote:

Diomed wrote:I wonder if they do that because they want to, in which case they're kind of dumb, or if they had to make some deals to get Henrico to allow them to operate.

Reading my mind, definitely sounds like a side deal with the cops to me. Kind of messed up.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The County (I'm assuming that is who "Henrico" is) conditioning "allowing them to operate" on them doing background checks on members/customers? REALLY? Good grief! Sounds like something you'd have encountered in Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany. Are they required to report bad background checks to the county or the cops?

First, what is required for them to be "allowed to operate"? A building permit? an occupancy permit? or are shooting ranges singled out as hazardous activities requiring some special permit?

Second, conditioning whatever permit is involved on background checks on the orders of the government seems to me to be outrageous - - particularly in view of the fact that it involves the use by members of the public of firearms; which the 2nd Amendment gives us the right to keep and bear, but apparently not the right to shoot?

JandSGunsmith wrote:Colonial is not just a shooting range they also have firearms safety classes and a retail sales area. So I believe not allowing a load guns is normal for those type of businesses; load guns are not allow in Greentop, Bass Pro or Gander Mountain. I like the fact that this place does backgrounds, checks CCP and require you watch and retain information from a safety video. I don't feel like I need to keep looking over my shoulder because they don't allow just anyone to walk in off the street and start blasting rounds. A great thing about our country we all have the right to voice our opinions.

where did you come up with that? i've been in all three, both cc and oc, and have never had any issues. greentop does have a sign on the door that says if you're bringing a firearm in to be evaluated for sale that it needs to be unloaded.

mk4 wrote:i've been following their build-out with much interest, but don't think i'll be joining.

i thought about going as a walk-in to use the facility when i'm in richmond, but the thing that'll stop me from visiting even as a non-member, is their policy of not allowing a holstered and loaded carry gun on the premises. i carry everywhere every day and i'm not going to unholster and unload my edc in a parking lot just so i can walk in the front door. the safest place for any firearm is secure in a holster.

the rules in some of these places is just baffling.

There's not a range in the Richmond/Tri-Cities area that allows you to walk into their business with a loaded weapon. All are prominently posted "NO LOADED FIREARMS PAST THIS POINT". Dominion even put a clearing barrel near the front door. If that is going to keep you from the range then you will never shoot at one here in Richmond.

They may ask (request) your CHP # so that if you want to buy a gun they have it on file and you get processed that much faster. Only reason I can imagine. Otherwise it seems its of no value to them. and them doing a background check when you've proven you have a CHP is a waist of their time and money. You've been checked out.

Thanks,
www.RangeDevelopmentServices.com

zombiekiller57 wrote:

mk4 wrote:i've been following their build-out with much interest, but don't think i'll be joining.

i thought about going as a walk-in to use the facility when i'm in richmond, but the thing that'll stop me from visiting even as a non-member, is their policy of not allowing a holstered and loaded carry gun on the premises. i carry everywhere every day and i'm not going to unholster and unload my edc in a parking lot just so i can walk in the front door. the safest place for any firearm is secure in a holster.

the rules in some of these places is just baffling.

There's not a range in the Richmond/Tri-Cities area that allows you to walk into their business with a loaded weapon. All are prominently posted "NO LOADED FIREARMS PAST THIS POINT". Dominion even put a clearing barrel near the front door. If that is going to keep you from the range then you will never shoot at one here in Richmond.

have a look at this thread: http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/showt ... n-Richmond
for a lively discussion of CSA.

the author of post #114: http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/showt ... ost1737565
claims to be the gunsmith there and seems to be saying that they don't enforce the no-loaded-weapon rule as long as it stays holstered. a poster further down refutes that by recent experience.

i know that ranges have these signs, but i don't know how many enforce their own rules. i was recently at PSS in Roanoke. big sign on wall by front door: no loaded weapons beyond this point except for leo. i sent my brother in to ask if that included holstered, loaded every-day-carry guns oc'ed or cc'ed. i was prepared to walk away. manager came to the door with my brother and welcomed me in. he didn't ask any questions or offer any commentary on the sign.
go figure.

Bass Pro has no problem with loaded OC/CC.

"...load guns are not allow in Greentop, Bass Pro or Gander Mountain."

Just seconding the fact you're incorrect, I have both OC/CC in all of them, with NO issues, NO comments, and NO attitude. In Va? Wearing a firearm is getting to be rather "common".

As to this "Colonial Shooting Academy"? Um... I'll stay neutral for now. Even if the facilities are top notch, if it's run/operated/managed by douchery types? No bueno.

Colonial Shooting Academy has definitely set itself at odds with 2nd Amendment activists. I like the facility. The staff seem nice even if some of the things I have heard makes my skin crawl, but I will continue to go and hope to be part of positive change there.

I don't like not being able to open-carry going into a gun range.

I don't like having to clear my pistol in the parking lot.

How the staff interprets the rules has changed often and that's documented on OCDO in their own words.

From their web site:
"Our goal is to cultivate a comfortable environment much like you would find at other well respected semi-private clubs in town."

I would not have a problem giving them my CHP#. CSA can just walk in to the clerks office with a list of names and ask if any of these members has a chp, but I dont know why they would do that because there isnt any profitable reason for doing so. My guess is it is cheaper to ask for a chp# than it is to run a bg check. If the general assembly bill making that information private would have passed, I might not offer it without some explanation.

I have been to CSA twice. Once to shoot and once to return a holster that didnt work out so good. Both times I was treated with a professional attitude, and everyone was helpful and polite.

I would like clarification on this though:
"GENERAL RULES
Concealed carry firearms must be unloaded in the safe zone prior to entering the range if they are to be fired."

I never did see the safe zone, or it wasnt clearly marked. Hopefully the safe zone isnt the parking lot.

Can you not carry in the whole building? Or just not in the range?

i do not frequent GFZ, as long as that sign is up i will not go there

The purpose of asking for permission to do a background check is now being instigated at the newer ranges around the country. The purpose is so in the event of problem or concern a person's background can be checked for an outstanding warrant or reason someone should not have a gun and is the same report a policeman sees when pulling you for a speeding ticket. I doubt one will ever actually be checked. Liability and safety is all it is about.

Colonial has a sign at the entrance stating this is a quiet opening and to please excuse the continued stocking, etc. until the Grand opening to the public later this month and to give them time to work out the kinks...

You can shoot your own ammo or buy theirs at a decent price. Reloaders can use plated ammo, hollow points, anything but lead ball or wad cutters so the lead dust does not clog up the HEPA filters. This is standard in any newer range. Most do not allow you to shoot your own ammo and keep your brass as CSA does...

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Before anyone gets their knickers in a wad about the overly controlling local government, I'll offer a suggestion that some of these requirements likely are imposed more by their insurance company and by their legal advisors. A shooting range is a huge potential liability and a magnet for complaints and potential lawsuits. I can't blame them for imposing any of the requirements I've read about - they are making a huge up-front investment that will take years to pay off. Of course they're going to be extra cautious and have all kinds of safety requirements. You might be the safest gun owner in the history of the universe, and the next guy might be just an amazingly safe firearms handling expert, but they don't know you from Adam's off ox, and they don't know what you know about guns or anything else. All they see is some swinging hogleg strutting in off the street. They're going to treat you like any other unknown person until they're sure you meet their standards.

Like I said, can't really blame them. If it chaps your hide, I'm sure they'll just say, "oh well, there are other ranges you can shoot at." If they loose business, and they attribute it to their policies, maybe then they'll change them. In the meantime, they are what they are.