Certification of a private range

Many on here know that several years ago I hung up some targets in a disused part of my property so that my daughter could practice her lever action skills for CAS. In the beginning it looked like this:
Attachment 185157
The range then became a labour of love for me and I built a covered in shed for her to shoot from and after much blood sweat and tears it looked like this:
Attachment 185158
That was up until the end of August when a major weather event caused the hillside to come sliding into the range. I am now almost finished clearing out the slip and completing a major retaining wall project having made the range a little wider in the process. I will post updated photos when the job is done.

So now to the purpose of this thread. Even though this is very much a private use range, with the recent legislative changes I am inclined to have it Police certified but I can’t for the life of me find anything useful on the Police website by way of an application form so am a bit befuddled as to the process.

Does anyone on here know:
1. The clauses in the legislation that are relative to range certification?
2. Whether there is a Police form relative to application for certification and if so what the form number is?
3. In the absence of a Police form, what process I should follow?

Any assistance given would be greatly appreciated.

@Beaker, it just occurred to me that you have done this for a public range down the other island. Can you cast any wisdom my way?

And what a bloody nice range it is too. The power of Waikato is obvious for all to see!
I must come do another preliminary range inspection some time mate!

We did one a couple of years back and used Mike spray from mountain saftey.

I would recommend contacting pistol NZ.

It took about a year, but I managed to get the first ever "natural typography" pistol range through certification about 15 years ago, on private land. We had 4 ranges including a 500m long jungle alley, with no requirement for structures.
At the time, PNZ was the only recognised certifiers.

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Originally Posted by 40mm

And what a bloody nice range it is too. The power of Waikato is obvious for all to see!
I must come do another preliminary range inspection some time mate!

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You would be welcome mate. Give it a couple more weeks and I will be finished I reckon.

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Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Watching with interest Rushy.
Are you looking at B cat?
There have been some recent developments which are going to make it hard for some to retain their B endorsement.

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I haven’t considered the use of B endorsed firearms but you are correct insomuch that Covid lockdown has knocked our club which typically only has 26 opportunities per year. Where I have positioned this it is as safe as and the resident range officer is a grumpy old bastard.

Before doing anything official assess it yourself. Using Google Earth measure distances to the nearest dwellings 30 degrees either side of the range centre line. Look at the backstop and see what topography may assist ie a hill or in a gully. Consider 35 degrees elevation as the max muzzle elevation and can anything get away and what's to stop it down range.
With reactive targets are they mounted so as to deflect bullet fragments down.
Common sense says you've done this already and if you decide to or are compelled to register then having data in hand must surely be a plus.

@Rushy, I'll be able to help you, or at least put you into contact with the right person in your area - been involved in workshops with the police re certification training for a while now.

The whole process is still a bit up in the air.

Will call you tonight, heading out the door shortly.

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Originally Posted by ebf

@Rushy, I'll be able to help you, or at least put you into contact with the right person in your area - been involved in workshops with the police re certification training for a while now.

The whole process is still a bit up in the air.

Will call you tonight, heading out the door shortly.

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Thanks

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Originally Posted by mimms2

specs here

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And thanks to you as well.

So some of your comments have got me thinking ahead so I have done some measuring on google maps. This is the down range view over the roof of the shed I built.
Attachment 185240
The nearest dwelling directly down range is 835 metres away on the other side of the hill which at the peak directly down range is at least 80 metres vertical elevation higher than the shed roof. The nearest dwelling inside 30 degrees to the right of down range is 558 metres away on the other side of the hill with the ridge line over 100 metres vertical elevation higher than the roof of the shed. The nearest dwelling inside of 30 degrees to the left of down range is one kilometre away on the other side of the hill with the ridge line over 100 metres vertical elevation higher than the roof of the shed.

The most common calibres used on the range would be .22LR and 12g. As my daughter is now in the Army, 38 special (which is what she uses in her lever action) is seldom used down there now.

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Originally Posted by Mauser308

I repeat the question, is this just something you and invited friends use and it's not open to anyone else - as while your measurements are a start you are possibly going to have to go as far as consent etc under the new rules if I read things correctly. Ballache, heartache, butthurting headache plus sore things you didn't know you had.

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In every way shape and form it is a private range for the use of myself, my family and infrequently some people that a friends and acquaintances but only ever with me present.

Hey @Rushy, yes I did do it a few years ago (designed and did most of the paper work for cert).
I think most of my knowledge would be out of date now.
Prob the big issue with the range will be the fence(looking to butt's, on the right side) and the height above the cone of fire at the butt's.

I'll give you a call this week for a chat.....

I'd not do anything untill 2023 if required.

If they go with what the Military uses check out JSP 403 (version 12) I think they are up to but remembering yours is a private range and from what can be gathered Police are nowhere near ready to implement a lot of what has been signalled/legislated.

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Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

There have been some recent developments which are going to make it hard for some to retain their B endorsement.

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Can you explain what these developments are

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Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

Can't attend a range without a vaccine passport. Must shoot twelve time a year to retain your B endorsement.

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The 12 times a year is not new.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Walker

I'd not do anything untill 2023 if required.

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Good plan. Sleeping dogs will be left to lay and hornets nest will remain unpoked.

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Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

I suspect it is coming from Pistol NZ and club committees don't want to rock the boat.
Funny thing is, they stated it is ok to attend the range for important activities such as range maintenance or mowing lawns etc.
I may have spotted a loop hole (for anyone in that position) .

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WPC have instituted a separate day for people with/without vx PP. it was a club directive that was in response to members' requests about group numbers and the pre booking system. a compromise for those that need to do their 12...or is it 9 this year due to lockdown. can you pm me the loophole @7mmwsm as i know a couple of people between a rock and a hard place.cheers

Pistol NZ have been making noises about the National Competitions requiring jab/passes due more to the numbers but it will be up to individual Clubs whether they implement the pass system.

Greetings All,
I have a bench rest on our small block from which I can shoot 60 and 200 metres. Currently I am planning to re orient it to make use of a larger hill face as backstop and also include some sound baffling. Our property consists of a small valley so there are options that I need to investigate. Will keep you posted.
Regards Grandpamac.

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Originally Posted by hotbarrels

I would recommend contacting pistol NZ.

It took about a year, but I managed to get the first ever "natural typography" pistol range through certification about 15 years ago, on private land. We had 4 ranges including a 500m long jungle alley, with no requirement for structures.
At the time, PNZ was the only recognised certifiers.

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Dont know if its still operating but the Kaikoura PC would have been certed maybe 30 yrs ago, all with natural typography no man made structures.
Marlb PC would have passed as well, due to the angle of the back drop but we built sturctures and drainage anyway. That was early 90's as well.

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Originally Posted by ilikepie

WPC have instituted a separate day for people with/without vx PP. it was a club directive that was in response to members' requests about group numbers and the pre booking system. a compromise for those that need to do their 12...or is it 9 this year due to lockdown. can you pm me the loophole @7mmwsm as i know a couple of people between a rock and a hard place.cheers

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Not quite. WPC (Waiuku Pistol Club) doesn't require a vaccine passport. (Did initially.)
Last email sent out to members -
Based on the latest update and guidelines from PNZ, Sporting NZ and the re-worded Covid Framework from the NZ Govt. we will no longer be requiring the use of Vaccine Passes
This is great news as it means we can continue to make the club available to all members.

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Originally Posted by zimmer

Not quite. WPC (Waiuku Pistol Club) doesn't require a vaccine passport. (Did initially.)
Last email sent out to members -
Based on the latest update and guidelines from PNZ, Sporting NZ and the re-worded Covid Framework from the NZ Govt. we will no longer be requiring the use of Vaccine Passes
This is great news as it means we can continue to make the club available to all members.

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warkworth PC, i should have clarified.

I believe a fella would be wise to just say nothing and carry on....its your land and you are using it in a SAFE &RESPONSIBLE manner...... if you need it certified as a range,you need farm raceways certified as a road....and paddocks as race track if lads are going for a hoon,the horse paddock as a gymcarna if you put two 44 gallon drums and a rail out for kids to jump.....will the hay bale in back yard for bow n arrow need certified next week????
maybe the lake will need certified before highschool pupils can row upon it too????
personally I see no difference...its a location used to accommodate a legitimate sporting activity....IF you use it irresponsibly and injure someone,worksafe have jurisdiction. furthermore any bad behavior comes under your FAL so police have jurisdiction if believe you are endangering public. why would anyone other than council ticket clippers want any more control over a "place" belonging to you???

Micky I have just had a conversation with my range and am happy to advise that it now self identifies as a Pétanque court with steel baubles.

well played ol chap,jolly good show and all that....

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Originally Posted by Rushy

Many on here know that several years ago I hung up some targets in a disused part of my property so that my daughter could practice her lever action skills for CAS. In the beginning it looked like this:
Attachment 185157
The range then became a labour of love for me and I built a covered in shed for her to shoot from and after much blood sweat and tears it looked like this:
Attachment 185158
That was up until the end of August when a major weather event caused the hillside to come sliding into the range. I am now almost finished clearing out the slip and completing a major retaining wall project having made the range a little wider in the process. I will post updated photos when the job is done.

So now to the purpose of this thread. Even though this is very much a private use range, with the recent legislative changes I am inclined to have it Police certified but I can’t for the life of me find anything useful on the Police website by way of an application form so am a bit befuddled as to the process.

Does anyone on here know:
1. The clauses in the legislation that are relative to range certification?
2. Whether there is a Police form relative to application for certification and if so what the form number is?
3. In the absence of a Police form, what process I should follow?

Any assistance given would be greatly appreciated.

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There is nothing in the public domain yet about the certification process (unless you are involved with it), however about Feb or March next year police will release the proposed range manual for public submission. I would do nothing till then because its being continually refined at the moment.

Looks incredible mate!

Hi Rushy,

I went through this 'what to do' process myself. In the end I wrote out a 'Range Protocol' checklist. Each range user fills out a sheet which is kept in a folder. I have a range use record which I can use as proof of use and good practice etc in the future if required. It acts as a good safety checklist
PM me your email and I will forward you the document

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rushy

Micky I have just had a conversation with my range and am happy to advise that it now self identifies as a Pétanque court with steel baubles.

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You could invite the Wanganui River to your next shoot.

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Originally Posted by T.FOYE

Looks incredible mate!

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It is looking even better these days after a concerted effort to rectify a slip.
Attachment 189326
You should come for a shoot some time.

I might just take you up on that! Keen to get a lever and try some light 'cowboy' cast loads

Shhh,
In Australia, my state at least we can sight in on private land but we can't actually target shoot technically.
We possibly could apply to have a private range certified by the police licencesing inspector I guess but they are getting tougher. Backstop butts and other precautions may be required , particularly where there might be dwellings within a given arc and distance.
People would be practicing or setting up targets doing no harm but if it's discreet and on large properties Noone is looking to investigate further.
I just wouldn't publicise it.