My gun club has become anti-gun!

[Brian Dover]

Well sort of. I belong to Miami Rifle and Pistol Club east of Cincinnati. Last time I was there they had put up a sign just inside the front gate which read to the effect of:

'No carry of loaded firearms by anyone beyond this point, except on-duty law enforcement only." The jist was not only are the ranges run "cold" at all times, so is the rest of the property. And also the sign indicated that one should unload any such firearm before proceeding further onto the property. No berm, clearing barrel, or even a particularly safe direction to do that out by the road.

The Board of Directors tell me that their insurance carrier made them pass such a restrictive rule, and post the signage. I've called "shenanigans" on them through the club website.

Miami R&P joins another lamebrained* area gun club (Fairfield Sportsmans Association) which posted the same nonsense soon after Ohio passed licensed concealed carry four years back. Is this trend happening elsewhere in the Buckeye? So far my asking around about other gunclubs and ranges says it's not.

* Almost made it through this post without the insult, but so help me I could not lay off completely. Many of us worked very hard to get concealed carry passed and then approved in Ohio, only to find our gunclubs becoming Criminal Protection Zones to a certain extent.

[Catalina]

Right. Only concealed carriers will go crazy and shoot the place up. Someone on the range during a match or practice session on a "hot range" will be protected by the all-powerful and all knowing and all seeing RANGEMASTER or RANGE SAFETY OFFICER.

What a joke.

Total bias against CHL'ers. Are you certain the insurance company made them post such a stupid rule? I mean, does that make any sense at all? You have a freakin' rifle and pistol club but you can't carry a loaded pistol inside your waistband while on the premises.

[Brian Dover]

If anyone would like to look at the discussion about this so far on the Miami Rifle and Pistol Club's website, here's a link. http://www.miamirifle-pistol.org/forums/index.php?topic=96.0

Perhaps my initial tone couild have been more cordial, but the responses from Paul Wallpe (VP of the Rifle section) and Tom Myers (club President) seemed downright snarky to say the least.

[firedog978]

Brian,

I read the link to your club's board. How unbelievably ridiculous this seems to me. A gun club that provides a safe haven for those intent on criminal behavior! And, to the detriment of it's own dues paying members.

I have written many letters to businesses that post no gun signs. I have refused to spend even one thin dime at any of the businesses that do this. And many of those businesses have been my preferred locations to support.

There is no safety issue with CCW and it is appalling that a gun club would express such an idea (at least for dues paying members)! Maybe it's time for your clubs' members to holdoff on their dues until this is changed? Maybe it should be noted that no member will renew a membership until this is changed? Personaly, I'd raise the biggest stink they ever heard were I a member. Then I would promptly poll the membership. I'd resign any position I held there, followed immediately by contacting each member for an opinion and what action they all are willing to take. I'm sure that a large percentage of members feel as you do. And if a large percentage indicates no renewal that should get there attention. As to insurance, I'm willing to bet the NRA could direct the club to a carrier that would insure it allowing CCW and at a decent rate.

Finaly, that Tom fellow needs a real lesson in what a safe firearm is. He sounds worse than most antis I've debated.

Good luck!

[Blitzer]

Well sort of. I belong to Miami Rifle and Pistol Club east of Cincinnati. Last time I was there they had put up a sign just inside the front gate which read to the effect of:

'No carry of loaded firearms by anyone beyond this point, except on-duty law enforcement only." The jist was not only are the ranges run "cold" at all times, so is the rest of the property. And also the sign indicated that one should unload any such firearm before proceeding further onto the property. No berm, clearing barrel, or even a particularly safe direction to do that out by the road.

The Board of Directors tell me that their insurance carrier made them pass such a restrictive rule, and post the signage. I've called "shenanigans" on them through the club website.

Miami R&P joins another lamebrained* area gun club (Fairfield Sportsmans Association) which posted the same nonsense soon after Ohio passed licensed concealed carry four years back. Is this trend happening elsewhere in the Buckeye? So far my asking around about other gunclubs and ranges says it's not.

* Almost made it through this post without the insult, but so help me I could not lay off completely. Many of us worked very hard to get concealed carry passed and then approved in Ohio, only to find our gunclubs becoming Criminal Protection Zones to a certain extent.

Ask to see the insurance policy to verify and find a news person with a favorable CHL and 2nd amendment view. It would make a great article or special interest item.

[anyplainjoe]

Yep, just ask for a copy of the letter or email from the insurance company which demands these restrictions.

[mmc45414]

Yeah I didn’t make it past “If you were to check most other ranges in the country you will find that that they have the same rule.” in the first reply. I would like him to make me aware of a single one, other than Fairfield. Well, that and WPAFB, but that is a federal thing.

I also think that this insurance stuff is crap, just like the indoor ranges that don’t allow reloads that try to blame insurance. Haven’t been there in quite a while, but Blackwing has made a big investment. I carried and shot reloads (though they did check to be sure were not steel core).

MMc

[Javelin]

Yeah all about insurance.

[CincyBrad]

I have been thinking about joining for the last year or so, but never got around to attending a new member orientation meeting. Guess I can scratch that off the list.

[Buki192327]

I used to work in insurance and insurance companies do put restrictions (exclusions) into policies. Not saying this is what happened, as I don't know.
If this is what happened, they may need to look for a new carrier. There could be an exclusion in the policy, that if guns are hot any place but on the range, there is no coverage. That would be my guess as to what happened, but like I said, I don't know.

[anyplainjoe]

, but Blackwing has made a big investment. I carried and shot reloads (though they did check to be sure were not steel core).

MMc

My understanding is Blackwing doesn't allow lead bullets in anything other than cowboy guns, they don't ban fmj reloads. They sell reloading supplies.

[Hask12]

Everyone needs to contact the gun club and express their feelings. They need to let the club know that continuation of the policy will cause them to either cancel or not renew their current membership, or prevent from seeking membership in the future.

[mmc45414]

My understanding is Blackwing doesn't allow lead bullets in anything other than cowboy guns, they don't ban fmj reloads. They sell reloading supplies.Correct, I had plated bullets and they seemed to have no problem with them, or the gun I was CCW at the time…

[Glock30man]

Your club president is a... well, I can't say that here.

"first Wed. of every month is my board meeting."

Like he owns the place. Any club I would join it would be our board meeting.

Between the no CCW policy and that guy, I think I'd find a different club.