Build An Alternative Shooting Range in Georgia

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Background

In the fall of 2020, a few friends down in Georgia decided they wanted to learn to shoot, but they wanted to do so in a place that felt welcoming for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and more left-leaning individuals in general.

Shooting ranges can be ostracizing for many folks who may lean left of center, especially for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals. From confederate flags and thin blue line stickers, to targets depicting people of color, and casual microaggressions of staff or other range visitors, the long standing culture around guns and ranges hasn't been one of diversity.

Believing that the second amendment is in principal about resisting tyranny and oppression, we believe gun rights and the exercise of those rights are particularly relevant for those systematically disadvantaged in our society.

Moreover, there are no ranges in Atlanta (where a larger portion of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ population of Georgia resides) where shooters can shoot from any position other than standing in a lane, and there is only one range that allows shooting from draw (at $19/hr lane time). The closest ranges with private bays that would allow us to train with multiple targets, movement, and non-standing shooting positions are all either decorated in anti-liberal/leftist posters and stickers, require you to be a member of the NRA, and/or are financially inaccessible (e.g. a $900 initiation fee + $318 annual fees).

With this in mind, this group of friends set out to build their own range on some of their farm land — a place where we could practice comfortably, safely, and in ways that develop a wider set of skills than indoor ranges allow. With a few small donations of labor, materials, and funds from friends and the community, a modest set of steel and paper targets were built against a natural berm and they were able to start their education into the world of firearms.

Since then, the farm folks have decided to generously open their space to host monthly events to help our community learn and practice firearm skills in a space they can feel comfortable in. This has included firearm trainings from 101s for beginners to competition oriented training, practice zeroing optics, and Stop The Bleed medical trainings, with more programming already lined up. 

 

Fundraising

This fundraiser is to help build out this modest range into something a bit more usable, able to support more people, easier to maintain and setup for more hours of use, and a bit less of a burden on the folks who have been donating their land and time to setting it up each month.

As it stands there are already volunteers lined up for every skillset needed to make it happen and our fundraising goal is based exclusively on a cost assessment of the materials needed and equipment rentals. If we manage to accomplish these goals under budget, any excess funds would be reserved for ongoing maintenance of the range.

 

Funding Items

• Rent a bobcat to level out the range area (pictured) and build a three-berm range for better noise control for the farm animals and neighbors. Estimated overall space will be a 30x30yd range. Estimated rental $1600 for one week including transport to and from the range site.

 

• Purchase a truck load of gravel to cover the shooting area of the range. Estimated cost of $1000.

 

• Build shooting shelters for additional noise control and to allow for shooting even in less ideal weather conditions. Estimated cost of $800 for materials

 

• Wire electricity to the shelters for lighting to facilitate shooting after dark, for fans in the summer heat, and heaters in the winter cold. Estimated cost of $1000 for materials including fans, heaters, and lighting fixtures.

 

• Build additional target stands, barriers, and steel racks to expand total number of shooting stations and complexity of exercises. Estimated cost of $500 for materials

 

• Purchase basic cleanup equipment such as receptacles for trash, brass, and recycling, as well as general cleaning supplies for other equipment. Estimated cost of $300

 

• Purchase spare sets of eye and ear protection for visitors who do not have their own. Estimated cost of $200 for four sets (8 sets have been acquired already).

 

• Build storage solutions on the range to protect range equipment from weather and reduce setup time. Estimated cost of $1000.

 

Total estimated cost: $6400 + 2.9% transaction fees via GoFundMe = $6585.60

 

Timeline

Once funds are received, we believe we can accomplish all the stated goals within three months, or as short as a month pending our various volunteers' availability!

 

FAQs

Q: Will this be a public range? 

A: No. As a means to ensure the safety of attendees and the overall capacity of the range itself, events are organized locally through organizations such as the Socialist Rifle Association (Georgia Chapter) and other community groups. 

 

Q: Will there be a cost to use the range?

A: No. Each monthly event will be free for attendees, though donations are always accepted to further the development and maintenance of the range.

 

Q: Is this a Socialist Rifle Association project?

A: No. While members of the Socialist Rifle Association (SRA) have been great supporters, there is no formal link between this project and the SRA. 

 

Q: Is there a business/profit model?

A: No. This is entirely a volunteer and community driven project. Aside from folks donating funds to build out or maintain the range, money is not exchanging hands. Should donations allow in the future, we may investigate the legal elements of being able to pay community members willing to offer their expertise in trainings, especially those who are generally disadvantaged within our socio-economic system or marginalized within mainstream gun culture. 

 

Q: Is this legal?

A: Yes, this range meets all requirements per state and county law regarding shooting firearms on one's own property.