General Information

SMGC Policies

SAFETY IS ALWAYS THE FIRST AND FOREMOST CONSIDERATION WHEN SHOOTING. Ignorance, stupidity and carelessness about safety issues are not tolerated!

NEVER load your gun until you are in your shooting station and it is your turn to shoot.

The Board of Directors may adopt special rules or policies regarding range usage. These rules or policies will be published in the newsletter and posted at the ranges. Range Officers or match officials may modify some rules or policies for supervised matches or activities.

-  Members are strongly encouraged to correct or report any unsafe act or behavior by other members or guests as soon as the behavior or activity is noted. Self-policing is the only way we will be able to continue operating with our current freedom to shoot! To report an unsafe act or behavior, contact any Range Officer, Division Representative or Board member, or voice mail (269-267-8616).

-  Some members have been selected by the Board to serve as Range Officers. These members will be patrolling the ranges at various times. Failing to cooperate with, or correct an unsafe condition as directed by a Range Officer, can result in loss of membership.

-  Certain Club members have been selected to take care of individual ranges. Any trash on the ranges should be placed in the barrels provided, but burning should be left to the range caretakers.

-  Any unauthorized use of any Club range is prohibited. Non-members found on the ranges without a host member may be prosecuted for trespassing.

-  No alcoholic beverages or mood altering substances are allowed on any SMGC property. Intoxication will not be tolerated - violators will lose shooting privileges (subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors, the member may also be expelled from the club).

-  All pets must be on a leash and under the control of the owner. Please control your pet and clean up after it.

-  No fully automatic firearms may be used on any Club range without the prior written permission of the Board.

-  No one under the age of 18 shall be permitted to use any firearm without direct adult supervision. All laws relating to possession of firearms by minors must be observed. Any guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. A member is wholly responsible for his or her own children.

-  Anyone performing illegal activities, or who possesses illegal weapons, on Club facilities may be expelled from the Club.

-  No one is permitted to use Club facilities for commercial or media purposes, or is authorized to make statements to the media on behalf of the Club, without written authority from the Board.

-  Some events may be open to the public and may require temporarily closing ranges or facilities for general membership use. Your cooperation in these circumstances is appreciated.

-  All Club members must recognize that shooting sports and the equipment associated with them are inherently dangerous, involving the potential for serious injury and death, and that others may be using firearms at the Club’s facilities at the same time. Members must also recognize that they are solely responsible for their own safety while they are using the Club’s facilities and, while the Club has enacted rules and regulations promoting the safe use of its property and equipment, these will not assure their safety.

Club members assume all risks associated with using the Club’s facilities, whether they are the result of their own acts or those of others. As a condition of membership, Club members must voluntarily relinquish all claims which they may have now or in the future against the Club, its officers, directors or members arising out of their use of the Club’s property or equipment.

The Club is a voluntary private organization. It has an absolute right to enact and enforce rules governing the use of its facilities, and it is every member’s responsibility to know and follow these rules. Any member who damages any Club property may be required to clean up any mess and replace any damaged items. Members who do not comply with the Club’s rules, or do not use the Club’s facilities in a safe manner, may have their privileges to use the Club’s property and equipment suspended or terminated.

Range Safety Officer (RSO)

The RSO program allows our club to provide open shooting times to members on the weekends and some weekdays. RSOs are trained to NRA standards and certified by the NRA. Once RSOs receive their credentials from the NRA they may be scheduled for up to 5 shifts a year at the lower ranges. Since they have received formal training in the safe operation of a range the RSOs enjoy access to the ranges outside of scheduled shooting times. The next time you are at the range make sure and thank the RSO for volunteering.

Some members have expressed an interest in becoming an RSO. We are reviewing our RSO master lists to see if there is a need to train more RSOs. If a class is scheduled information will be posted on the website and in the Lock, Stock and Barrel.

Outdoor Range Rules

Please Note

The outdoor range may only be used at certain times when supervision is provided. However, shooters may elect to qualify as a Self Supervised Shooter. This enables the member to use the lower ranges at any time that the outdoor range is open.