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Free military range time once a week

expvideo

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RCW 38.20.010
Regulations governing armories.

Except as provided in this section, state-owned armories shall be used strictly for military purposes.

(5) Civilian rifle clubs affiliated with the National Rifle Association of America are permitted to use small arms ranges in the armories at least one night each week under regulations prescribed by the adjutant general.
So, where are these armories that have small arms ranges? I'm down for free range time.

Anyone interested in starting a club that will be affiliated with the NRA?
 

Xhado

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There are ranges at Ft. Lewis that are "ouside the wire". They're very open and I can see anyone being able to use them if there isnt soldiers/airmen already there.
 

Mainsail

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Xhado wrote:
There are ranges at Ft. Lewis that are "ouside the wire". They're very open and I can see anyone being able to use them if there isnt soldiers/airmen already there.
Walking onto Army property with a loaded firearm is not going to be the smartest thing you’ll be remembered for.
 

thebastidge

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Ft Lewis is not state-owned.

It's probably talking about National Guard facilities. Most National Guard facilities don't have firing ranges, only the larger ones do. Probably also includes police firing range, like WSP, although with that "military purposes" clause, I wouldn't try to assert that as fact.

And I can almost guarantee, not knowing when this law was written, that as a practical matter, those National Guard facilities with armories are not set up to do this, most especially since 9/11.

I'd think that getting into police facilities has a much better chance of being do-able.
 

Trigger Dr

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Anyone interested in starting a club that will be affiliated with the NRA?


WAC is an NRA affilliated club.

Camp Murray is National Gaurd and the do have a range.

Jim
 

compmanio365

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Pierce County, Washington, USA
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Mainsail wrote:
Xhado wrote:
There are ranges at Ft. Lewis that are "ouside the wire". They're very open and I can see anyone being able to use them if there isnt soldiers/airmen already there.
Walking onto Army property with a loaded firearm is not going to be the smartest thing you’ll be remembered for.
I drive by those ranges all the time out on Steilacoom-Dupont Rd. They are very open, but I haven't been brave enough to go up and actually see if there is any "No Trespassing" type signs there. Sometimes I see them actually being used, not everyone there looks to be military, so I dunno.....
 

thebastidge

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"realistic after 9/11 or not, it's the law"

I'm not saying that you couldn't use them, I'm saying they are probably not set up to do this conveniently. As in, make you jump through more hoops than it is worth.

I know that you're not going to just waltz through the gate without an escort.
 

Bear 45/70

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I've shot at the Fort Lewis ranges when I was still involved in sporting clays. If you go thru the front gate you have to be unloaded, gun broke down and ina case. I never came in the back way so I can't say. I have a buddy that lives in Spanaway and comes in that way, I'll ask him. As to the Guard ranges, never been there but have heard firing from them when at American Lake V.A. Hospital. The Washington State Patrol has a range at Shelton, but even the local police departments use the local gun clubs range and not the patrols.
 

Bear 45/70

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Just got an e0mail from my buddy about the Ft. Lewis East Gate.

Blaine says "When you go in east gate, there are no security checks before the sportsmen's range.....Loaded or CCW is not allowed, however.....Yer takin a chance if you do."

Those military guys point guns awlful fast and I'm not big on looking down the barrel of a loadedM-4 with a very nervous youngster behind it.
 

KBCraig

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Ft. Lewis falls under the following law (as do most NG armories, since they're mostly constructed with federal funds):


10 USC Sec. 4309 01/02/2006
TITLE 10 - ARMED FORCES
Subtitle B - Army
PART III - TRAINING
CHAPTER 401 - TRAINING GENERALLY
Sec. 4309. Rifle ranges: availability for use by members and
civilians
(a) Ranges Available. - All rifle ranges constructed in whole or
in part with funds provided by the United States may be used by
members of the armed forces and by persons capable of bearing arms.
(b) Military Ranges. - (1) In the case of a rifle range referred
to in subsection (a) that is located on a military installation,
the Secretary concerned may establish reasonable fees for the use
by civilians of that rifle range to cover the material and supply
costs incurred by the armed forces to make that rifle range
available to civilians.
(2) Fees collected pursuant to paragraph (1) in connection with
the use of a rifle range shall be credited to the appropriation
available for the operation and maintenance of that rifle range and
shall be available for the operation and maintenance of that rifle
range.
(3) Use of a rifle range referred to in paragraph (1) by
civilians may not interfere with the use of the range by members of
the armed forces.
(c) Regulations. - Regulations to carry out this section with
respect to a rifle range shall be prescribed, subject to the
approval of the Secretary concerned, by the authorities controlling
the rifle range.
-SOURCE-
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 236; Pub. L. 99-145, title
XIII, Sec. 1301(b)(3)(A), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 735; Pub. L. 101-
510, div. A, title III, Sec. 328(e), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1533;
Pub. L. 102-484, div. A, title III, Sec. 380(b)(1), Oct. 23, 1992,
106 Stat. 2390.)
 

sv_libertarian

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Very interesting. Had no idea that was federal law. Guess sometime back in the horrible days before gun control was found to be the cure for all social evils and crimes, the government really wanted the citizens to be skilled in the use of arms...
 

just_a_car

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I know someone from the GunAndGame.com forums that goes down to the Ft. Lewis range on a weekly basis. I haven't yet taken him up on his offer to check it out.
 

BluesBear

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just_a_car wrote:
I know someone from the GunAndGame.com forums that goes down to the Ft. Lewis range on a weekly basis. I haven't yet taken him up on his offer to check it out.
Let me know how it is after you check it out. Right now the only rifle range I have access to is the Seattle Police Association range just south of Boeing. I 'd like to find some place with over 200 yards for next summer.
 

Trigger Dr

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BluesBear

The Seattle rifle and Pistol Club range at Machias has 500 yd range. I shoot there the 1st Sat of the month, with my Sharps or Hiwall. Upper Nisqually club at Eatonville has 600 yd range. I usually shoot there the 2nd Sunday of the Month with Sharps or Hiwall.

Thanks for the offers on the holsters. Bring them along and will do.

Jim
 

Trevor

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Waitsburg, Washington, USA
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I am currently in the army reserve and serve my weekends in Yakima, WA. I know for certain that not only are ranges open to civilians any day of the week at the Yakima Firing Center (so long as there are no excercises going on), but also that hunting is available as well. The only requirement is to take a post required safety class, mostly defining where you can and can't go, and siging in your weapon with the gate gaurds.
 

just_a_car

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Trevor wrote:
I am currently in the army reserve and serve my weekends in Yakima, WA. I know for certain that not only are ranges open to civilians any day of the week at the Yakima Firing Center (so long as there are no excercises going on), but also that hunting is available as well. The only requirement is to take a post required safety class, mostly defining where you can and can't go, and siging in your weapon with the gate gaurds.
Indeed, the Fish and Wildlife free pamphlet on Hunting Guidlines (can be picked up at your local sporting goods store) indicates many military areas as hunting GMU's (Game Management Units).
 
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