Reading the posts here, it is really sad to read that the majority of people do their shooting at indoor commercial range/stores.
Doesn’t anybody belong to gun clubs?
I strongly believe well organized gun clubs better serve the needs of shooters and the long term interests of gun ownership and marksmanship proficiency.
Good gun clubs vet potential members, encouraging responsible individuals and weeding out troublemakers. And, virtually every good gun club has either a probationary period and/or a safety class requirement for membership.
Good gun clubs, particularly those with NRA, CMP, or USAShooting affiliation usually offer registered matches. In fact, some clubs require regular participation in matches for membership.
Clubs are run by members whose motivation is based on the best interests of gun ownership.
These are all good things! In the long run, it makes for a better community of gun owners and more stable long term prospects for our sport and our rights.
Gun store ranges, on the other hand, have no meaningful requirements, or interests, other than taking your money. Instead of requiring safety training before unknown people access the range, they attempt to compensate with overbearing staff that treat customers like children. PSA ranges in SC will usually run people’s DL with law enforcement while they’re on the range. (Isn’t it a little late then?). At best, staff are merely condescending, at worst they act like jerks. Most have an inflated self opinion of their qualifications. Marksmanship and proficiency matter naught, so long as you pay your money for time, targets and ammo.
In other words, they’re in it for themselves and their bottom line.
The result is an entire generation of shooters who have attained virtually no meaningful marksmanship achievements, choosing instead to view their shooting interests through the accumulation of more guns (much to the pleasure of the gun store/ranges!!)
Sorry for the digression. But, I really feel that people have no idea what they’re being cheated out of.
