March, 2012

To All of the Members of the Martinsville Sportsman’s Conservation Club,

It has come to the attention of the Board of Directors that some people using the club are being unsafe in the handling of their firearms.  We have had reports that people are taking firearms down range with them and then unloading them as they walk back to the shooting area and people being “muzzled” with weapons. For those of you not familiar with the term “muzzled” this means to have a firearm pointed at you whether or not the weapon is loaded.  It has also been brought to our attention that some people are drinking alcoholic beverages while shooting.

THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE

The 4 rules of gun safety are posted on all of the ranges.  To be sure everyone is aware of these rules they are as follows:

RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE POINT AT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND WHAT IS BEHIND IT

These 4 gun safety rules are being added to our formal club rules that were initially mailed to members and will be posted on our website.  All members are expected to follow them.

If you witness an unsafe act we ask that you do the following:

Get the person’s name.  (Per the club rules all membership cards are to be worn so as to be visible at all times when you are on club property and the member’s names are on them)  If this is not possible try to get their license plate number.  Once you have this information send it to the Board through the e-mail address or in a letter to the post office box explaining in detail what you witnessed.  The Board will send a certified letter to the individual or individuals telling them to attend the next meeting and explain their actions.  Please be prepared to attend this meeting also to explain why you filed the complaint and how their action(s) were unsafe.  The Board will make a decision and if their actions are determined to be a violation of our safety rules the person will lose their membership and there will be no refund of their membership fee.

We hope to never have to use this process but we cannot and will not have people being unsafe with their weapons while at the club.  The Board cannot be at the club all of times and we need the members to step up and help with enforcing the safety rules and the wearing of membership cards.

To be clear we are not asking anyone to hold anyone at gun point nor are we asking anyone to put themselves in danger to get the information to give to the Board.

Also we have been told that some people are consuming alcoholic beverages while shooting.  This is against the club rules.  Alcoholic beverages are not permitted past the clubhouse.  Please be sure to observe this rule or it can mean loss of your membership.

Finally, several members have asked how to access the restroom.  The code for the push button lock is 911.

If you have any questions or comments please contact the Board through the e-mail or by a letter to the post office box.

Thank You for your support of the Martinsville Sportsman Conservation Club.

The Board of Directors