Thread: NZDA - rifle range use

A few of years ago, a mate and I visited the Taupo NZDA range, and for a donation ( which was gladly given) we rocked up, burnt some powder, and ironed out a few issues with the hunting rifle. That was great I thought, so I joined the Tauranga NZDA, just when they were getting ready to build their new range. I never intended to enter shoots etc, I just wanted a place to sight in my rifle. I donated some money on top of my fees, and also joined a couple of working b's to help build the range. When the range was finished, I then found a number of restrictions around when I could go for a blast, and having to attend some course, plus pay a one off fee, and a key fee and I can't remember what else. Bottom line, I said shag this, sent a note to the secretary asking if there was any way I could just use the range very infrequently for sighting in without all the red tape. Unfortunately, that could not be done, so I reluctantly cancelled my registration, along with a letter explaining why.
I am not at all bitter, just disheartened that such a great asset as a new range is hamstrung by so many rules and regulations

Is it now the same at all NZDA ranges?? Has Health and Safety taken over all ranges??

Health and safety seems quite reasonable given the lethal nature of the items used there and the frequently incredibly unsafe behaviour displayed with them by various users

Originally Posted by gimp

Health and safety seems quite reasonable given the lethal nature of the items used there and the frequently incredibly unsafe behaviour displayed with them by various users

Unfortunately I would have to agree with that statement, I wish I didn't but I do based on what I have personally witnessed at Public Ranges.

A fresh viewpoint: the rules are there to attempt to reduce the chance that you will be shot by some fucking idiot with no concept of safe firearm use, who is just there to sight in their hunting rifle

Agreed Gimp, wait till you go to a country that allows concealed carry. In Cape Town I got to a point where I would ask the visitors to grip their ear lobes or something similar and then to TELL me, not to show me what state their pistol or revolver was in. Lost count of the amount of times someone pulled out a gun and shoved it in my direction to show that it was safe...

That and idiots turning around 180 when they got a stoppage...

Originally Posted by ebf

Agreed Gimp, wait till you go to a country that allows concealed carry. In Cape Town I got to a point where I would ask the visitors to grip their ear lobes or something similar and then to TELL me, not to show me what state their pistol or revolver was in. Lost count of the amount of times someone pulled out a gun and shoved it in my direction to show that it was safe...

That and idiots turning around 180 when they got a stoppage...

I think that the addition of a proficiency test / certificate to the FAL application was a step in the right direction to attempt to address the above.

Originally Posted by Lentil

A few of years ago, a mate and I visited the Taupo NZDA range, and for a donation ( which was gladly given) we rocked up, burnt some powder, and ironed out a few issues with the hunting rifle. That was great I thought, so I joined the Tauranga NZDA, just when they were getting ready to build their new range. I never intended to enter shoots etc, I just wanted a place to sight in my rifle. I donated some money on top of my fees, and also joined a couple of working b's to help build the range. When the range was finished, I then found a number of restrictions around when I could go for a blast, and having to attend some course, plus pay a one off fee, and a key fee and I can't remember what else. Bottom line, I said shag this, sent a note to the secretary asking if there was any way I could just use the range very infrequently for sighting in without all the red tape. Unfortunately, that could not be done, so I reluctantly cancelled my registration, along with a letter explaining why.
I am not at all bitter, just disheartened that such a great asset as a new range is hamstrung by so many rules and regulations

Is it now the same at all NZDA ranges?? Has Health and Safety taken over all ranges??

Actually I think you are being a little precious Lentil. Its not that hard to get your own key and go up whenever you want. All you need to do is (assuming you are a member of the club):

1) Attend 3 public days to do 3 inductions on the range standing orders (these were done very frequently when the range was first opened so existing members could get through them quickly)
2) Pay your annual range fee ($50 I think)
3) Pay a one off $20 range key fee

Then bingo! You have access to the range as long as the park is open which is from sun up to sun down. Its not that hard.

The rules are there to protect the club, its users and the public. The land the range is on is leased from council and the NZDA have to abide by their rules (albeit some are a little over the top). If you look at the costs to be a member of other public ranges with the same level of facilities (which are constantly being improved) its not very expensive, especially when you compare them to the overseas ranges that i have been to.

Originally Posted by Ryan

I think that the addition of a proficiency test / certificate to the FAL application was a step in the right direction to attempt to address the above.

They do exactly this in Canada in order to get your Firearms License, it works great!

I would encourage it to be a requirement of the NZ FAL application process too.

I have two friends who've just been awarded their FAL and both are quite inexperienced with firearms. Of course I was only too happy to demonstrate safe handling procedures and let them try the various steps for themselves in a controlled environment, so that they felt more confident about handling firearms.

I feel that other new licencees who may not have friends or relatives that can show them the ropes, could do with more practical experience before being awarded their FAL.

In NZ there is more emphasis on whether you are "fit & proper" enough to be in possession of a firearm than anything else. This is all well and good, but does not assist with learning basic competencies with handling firearms. Which reflects your comments about your friends, they are fit and proper but have no practical experience which they have to rely on others to teach them, whose own experience and competency can vary vastly also.

Learning how to check, clear and handle a firearm in a controlled environment like they teach you in Canada is a far better option.

Sounds like the committee of this range need to strike a balance between safety and sanity. Ridiculous safety rules make shooting not fun, just as much as none.

Its only the public days that are a bit tedious. Having your own key and heading up there with a couple of other range ticket holders on a weeknight or weekend day that is not public day is pretty sweet. We have plenty of fun shooting, very relaxing and informal. The rules are pretty much the same as other formal shooting ranges, I guess its just that a lot of locals are used to sighting in in a paddock or forestry cut line where there are no rules.

As for this new stance on not allowing AR platforms, well that's just bullshit, first I heard of it was on here, not in the latest newsletter. The guys with the 100 year old military rifles shooting dodgy reloads are a far greater hazard (there are plenty of those type up there on a public day).

I love the local range. Rock up, pay 2 bucks shoot. Even mag dumps if you want.

Originally Posted by Beavis

I love the local range. Rock up, pay 2 bucks shoot. Even mag dumps if you want.

I'm jealous.

Originally Posted by Bryan

Actually I think you are being a little precious Lentil. Its not that hard to get your own key and go up whenever you want. All you need to do is (assuming you are a member of the club):

1) Attend 3 public days to do 3 inductions on the range standing orders (these were done very frequently when the range was first opened so existing members could get through them quickly)
2) Pay your annual range fee ($50 I think)
3) Pay a one off $20 range key fee

Then bingo! You have access to the range as long as the park is open which is from sun up to sun down. Its not that hard.

The rules are there to protect the club, its users and the public. The land the range is on is leased from council and the NZDA have to abide by their rules (albeit some are a little over the top). If you look at the costs to be a member of other public ranges with the same level of facilities (which are constantly being improved) its not very expensive, especially when you compare them to the overseas ranges that i have been to.

I really wanted to know if that is the case at most ranges. I can understand the defensive replies - after all, you probably put in a lot of time and effort into the Tauranga range. Good on you if that suits you, and your amount of use justifies the fees charged. For me with a 3 - 4 times a year use, the costs involved would not be worth it, and I chose to not bother. I don't think that makes me precious.