XD Talk

**Ghostface03** · 01-11-2009, 10:14 PM

I was wondering if anyone here has ever started a shooting club. What all goes into something like this? Would just having a decent private place to shoot be good enough or are there legal things that need squared away?

speedracer211 · 01-11-2009, 10:17 PM

Well insurance. How is it zoned? Does the municipality support an active gun club? Lots of hoops to jump through and legal bs to start a gun club.

**mhillsing23** · 01-12-2009, 07:49 AM

The NRA has some materials on this if you are truly interested.

vafish · 01-12-2009, 09:01 AM

I haven't started one, but I am on the Board of Directors for our club.

You need to incorporate, come up with money for the land, get approval from the local authorities, go to a bunch of county meetings where your neighbors will complain about the noise possibilities and Lead contamination. And on and on.

Now if you are just talking about a place to shoot for yourself, buy some land and go shoot.

aeromarv · 01-12-2009, 09:52 AM

Buy the NRA range source book, $20 on CD. It has A LOT of good information. Everything from design and construction to lead abatement, runoff water controls, to types of backstops and sound abatement. Its a great referece. If you are truly serious, contact the NRA. They have a team of folks to help with design, inspections, safety, etc... Link is below.

Shooting Range - Services

**Hawflake** · 01-12-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vafish

You need to incorporate, come up with money for the land, get approval from the local authorities, go to a bunch of county meetings where your neighbors will complain about the noise possibilities and Lead contamination. And on and on.

Now if you are just talking about a place to shoot for yourself, buy some land and go shoot.

Can you elaborate a little what the difference is between the two? What I mean is, what's to stop me from buying some land and invite my friends over (e.g. folks here on the board) and have a little fun without calling ourselves a club?

ADA · 01-12-2009, 10:20 AM

This is something where I don't think you should be going by information from the internet. Talk to a lawyer.

aeromarv · 01-12-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawflake

Can you elaborate a little what the difference is between the two? What I mean is, what's to stop me from buying some land and invite my friends over (e.g. folks here on the board) and have a little fun without calling ourselves a club?

I'm no lawyer, but I'm guessing a Club would need to be set up as some sort of business entity with the local govt. Zoning, taxes, permits, insurance, etc...

A couple guys on a piece of private land is something else.

Same as hunting, my father, myself, and the farm owner hunting geese in the corn fields is fine. As soon as that farm owner starts hiring himself out as a guide and charging $$$, it becomes a business and has to meet all local rules (we still meet all rules when hunting, but them rules is different than the rules governing the business operation).

**Cannibul** · 01-12-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawflake

Can you elaborate a little what the difference is between the two? What I mean is, what's to stop me from buying some land and invite my friends over (e.g. folks here on the board) and have a little fun without calling ourselves a club?

Liability.

**Ghostface03** · 01-18-2009, 07:30 PM

I figured there could be some legal issues. I already have access to the land. Just wanted to start something small to get people together with the same interests, not anything to make money.
aeromarv thanks for the info on the NRA range source book. I guess for now I will stick to just having a few close friends to shoot with.