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dcphoto wrote:The range fee covers everything except the long range range. However, if you pay for the long range range, you are entitled to shoot everything else. The only thing that would cost extra is trap/skeet, which you would still have to pay per round.

Well, that's not so bad.

dcphoto wrote:A 4 hour safety class doesn't make the range any safer. It is still up to individuals to put safety into practice, and without RSOs to enforce those safety rules, ARC is just as dangerous as any public range. No matter how you slice it, you are still occupying a range with persons of unknown experience and attitudes towards safety. Further, there are always threads on the forum discussing range violations. Those violations have lead to an extensive list of rules about what you can, and cannot, do on each particular range.

I'm definitely not saying there is a safety problem there, just that it isn't any safer than any other quality range. The suggestion that it is safer because the members take a class, or have a CHL, is misleading at best. In fact, some of the least safe persons I've ever shot with were in my CHL class, despite multiple safety briefings by the instructors.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm not trying to say ARC is a bad or unsafe range. I'm just trying to say that the "safety factor" provided by a range orientation only gives the appearance of safety. Actual safety would require RSOs on the range to enforce safety rules.

We obviously see things differently as far as the value of safety training for each member as opposed to a RSO staff policing whoever comes by.
RSO's can't be everywhere, personal responsibility is the issue. To me, it's no different from relying on personal protection vs expecting the police to always protect you.

You mentioned the ARC forum. That's another plus for them, communication between members and with staff and board members. It doesn't take much effort to get answers , and for members get to be involved, if they want, by going to meetings.
I'm not trying to play up ARC, in all my posts I am trying to say that everyone has a different viewpoint on what is an ideal range. No one knows anything about this new range, I'm trying to bring some of these things to light. This new place will do well, I'd like to try it; if I get a chance, I will. Maybe it will be exactly what I'm looking for. I still need to try that one down by Lockhart too. I think I've tried everyplace else.

Don't get me wrong, I think this place is going to be great for the shooting community, I think everyone has their own ideas of what is right for them. Believe me, the concept of no range officers on duty at a facility such as Austin Rifle Club, can be scary, but it is as safe as or safer than any place.

I don't understand the "safety is an illusion" or an "appearance" statements. When is education and encouragement of safety an insignificant effort? (paraphrased by me). ARC has a 4 hour orientation and safety class and a required demonstration of basic gun handling proficiency in the presence of RSO's before you can join. No place else has that.

I can just see some of the less responsible types going to a place like this because it's too much hassle to go through a background check or an orientation/safety session.
I don't know how easy it is to forge a background check, I use my CHL. I would think it's a little more difficult than just checkmarking off some boxes and saying you're good. But if it's that easy, I would imagine the NICS is pretty much a waste of time, too. Wouldn't that be a jailable offense? Not worth the risk.

Also, from what I can tell, the daily charges are a per shooting-type charge. You can't shoot pistol then shotgun then rifle without paying a fee for each range. I may be wrong. Even Eagle Peak allows all day access for one price. Their main drawback is the FMJ policy. My early question about FMJ was meant to ask, does this new place allow FMJ, what is the policy? I didn't mean to ask the definition of the "FMJ rule"... sorry about the confusion.

Again, I'm glad to see expansion of shooting opportunities in the area. I don't mean to be putting anyplace down. An "accident" could occur at any of these places that would put a damper on keeping an already too anti-gun town like Austin, relatively gun friendly.

So, without going there, unless there' something I missed,here's my take:
Cons:
1) It's $6 to $10 per range to shoot in addition to your annual membership dues.
2) Public range - anyone ... anyone... can drop in as they want and shoot.
3) No safety class required.
4) no validation of background check.
.............What's the FMJ rule?

Pros:
1) It does have a skeet/trap range
2) Long distance shooting, up to 1000 yd range.

It sounds like it may have great success, I hope they have great success, but it's not necessarily for everybody. What gets me is that Austin Rifle Club has been looking for land in the Austin area to expand their club facilities and this sounds like it would have been a great place for them to acquire. I wonder why they didn't jump on it?