M.G.C.A. RANGE RULES AND REGULATIONS

(Revised January 2022)

The Midwest Gun Collectors Association (M.G.C.A.) Ray Davis Memorial Range is located at the Junction of Route 26 and Washburn Road, north of Spring Bay and ½ mile south of the main line of Santa Fe tracks.  It is composed of approximately 70 acres, is wholly owned by the M.G.C.A., and is administered by its Board of Directors through its Range Master and appointed Range Officers.

M.G.C.A. feels it has a duty to the firearm and hunting enthusiasts of this area to provide and maintain a safe environment where they can check out their guns for proper functioning, become proficient in marksmanship through target practice, teach family and younger members safe and proper handling of firearms and enjoy good fellowship with other shooters.

The M.G.C.A. Board of Directors has approved the following rules:

ALL MEMBERS MUST REALIZE THAT ‘SAFETY’ IS FIRST AND OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE.

INSURANCE, SAFETY, AND STATE LAWS WERE CONSIDERED WHEN FORMULATING THE FOLLOWING RULES AND REGULATIONS.

THE PUBLISHED NRA RANGE RULES APPLY AT THE M.G.C.A. RANGE

Go to:   http://training.nra.org/nra-gun-safety-rules.aspx

Range use is exclusively for M.G.C.A. club members and M.G.C.A. club sponsored activities.  Only equipment owned by M.G.C.A. can be stored on club property. 

1. Non-shooters and spectators must stay at a safe distance behind loading and firing lines. All shooters, non-shooters and spectators on the grounds must have and use appropriate eye and hearing protection. If non-shooters and spectators remain in a vehicle on club grounds and are protected from spatter and sound, they do not need to wear eye and hearing protection; however, if they leave the confines of the vehicle, they must have and use appropriate eye and hearing protection.
2. You are only allowed to draw and fire from a holster on ranges 3, 5, 6 and 7. It is encouraged to draw and dry fire several times before loading guns.
3. All items on the club property are considered property of the MGCA. If you find items, like tables, chairs, targets, guns, brooms, etc. lying about and they are not yours, you do not have the right to take them. If you didn’t bring it, don’t take it! If you do, you will be prosecuted and your membership will be terminated. If you find valuable items call Greg Crank 248-7068 or Jay Katz 229-7495.
4. Read and follow all range safety rules posted on ranges #1 and 2.
5. All firing is to be down range, and in that direction only. All targets must be positioned so that all rounds fired, whether through the target or missing the target impact into the backstop/berms. No targets are allowed on top of the backstop/berms. No shots should be directed at the side berms. Ricochets are to be minimized. Be aware of where your bullet impacts.  All firearms, loaded or empty, must be pointed down range at all times.
6. All targets must be of a soft or fragile nature to prevent ricochet, except the steel targets explained on the ACCEPTABLE TARGETS list. Refer to the lists of acceptable and unacceptable targets on page 2. Soft or fragile targets must be placed against the back stop. You are required to clean up the remains of your soft targets that you choose to shoot.
7. The facility is open ONLY from 15 minutes after sunrise to 15 minutes before sunset year-round. Refer to a weather application such as Weather.com for these times.
8. Some individual ranges may be closed at intervals to have the necessary time for safely setting up targets. These intervals are to be determined by the Range Master or Range Officers. If no Range Officials are present, the shooters using the range should cooperatively determine the time intervals.  If a range should have to be closed for mowing or maintenance work, then members must use other available ranges on the property. 
9. Range #10 is the only range where shotguns (SHOT SHELLS ONLY) may be used. All shot will be fired from the established firing line, NOT from down range.
10. ONLY shotguns firing slug ammunition are allowed on Range #1. No shot shells are allowed to be fired on Range #1.
11. As the range is to be used for club members exclusively, anyone on range without a current membership card will be considered to be trespassing. You must have your current membership card with you and it must be prominently displayed.
12. Persons that are covered by your membership include yourself, spouse or partner, and any children under the age of 21. All other guests require a Guest Pass that is available for $100 per year from the Membership Director. The member must be present when a guest is shooting. A member may only bring 1 guest per visit per Guest Pass.  Remember, as the member you are responsible for the conduct of your guest.  You must be present with your guest at all times.  All guests must also obey all Range Rules.  If you have any questions, please contact the Range Master or a Board Member.

13. Every club member and their guest should practice courtesy to fellow club members and must obey M.G.C.A. appointed Range Officials at all times.
14. Members are responsible for their own trash and litter. Please place your trash or litter in the provided receptacles. The range is not a garbage dump or a junkyard.  Clean up after yourself, this includes your paper targets.  We require that you sweep up your spent shells from the concrete pad after shooting.  These are the only cleanup duties that we require from all members.
15. All club members are urged to maintain good relationships with neighboring farmers and surrounding community.
16. No camping, tents or trailers will be permitted on club property. No vehicles are to be left on club property overnight.
17. No alcoholic beverages, opened or unopened, will be allowed on M.G.C.A. property.
18. No person is allowed on the club property when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, either prescription or illegal this includes Marijuana.
19. No hunting is to be done on range property.
20. All activities on the range are to be M.G.C.A. sponsored events. Club sponsored events must be scheduled and posted far enough in advance so that all club members can participate if they so desire. All club sponsored group activities are to be so arranged that the rights of individual club members to use a range be not infringed. 
21. Range privileges can be denied to any member or members who do not comply with all of the range rules and regulations included here and posted at the range. If you violate these rules, you will be asked to leave the range and could possibly lose your membership.

TARGETS

M.G.C.A. provides target boards on the ranges.  We do not provide targets.  We require that paper targets be elevated so that bullets impact backstop and to avoid ricochets leaving the range.

ACCEPTABLE TARGETS:

Commercially manufactured steel swinging or spinning targets. ALL steel targets must direct bullet spatter to the ground.

Follow manufacturer’s safe distance, but under no circumstances may any steel targets be placed closer than 10 yards from the firing line. Make sure that any bullet that misses any steel target impacts/goes into the backstop.

Paper targets are most preferred by the Board of Directors. Paper targets must be attached to a back board that is directly in front of the backstop.

Clay birds are to be placed on the backstop, not on the side berms.

Plastic bottles and cans must be placed against the backstop and cleaned up when you are done shooting.

UNACCEPTABLE TARGETS:

Exploding targets, either commercial or homemade.

LP tanks or any cylinder designed for compressing gas either full or empty. Glass containers or glass of any kind. The back board posts.

Computers, computer parts or electronics of any type (i.e. TV, radio, and stereos) Bowling balls. Solid steel targets (see acceptable targets) CDs or DVDs.

Watermelons, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes or any organic plant life. Automobiles or automobile parts.

Cement blocks, bricks or rocks.

Bathroom fixtures or porcelain fixtures.

RANGE EQUIPMENT AND CHAIRS

This is not an all-inclusive list, if you have a question ask the Range Master, a Range Officer or Board Member for clarification