ABOUT US

INTRODUCTION

The Southwest Louisiana Rifle and Pistol Club, Inc. was established in 1947. The objectives and purposes of this non-profit corporation are: To promote sportsmanship among its members and the general public; to promote marksmanship with firearms among its members and the general public; to foster programs to educate its members, and the public in general, in the safe, proper, and responsible use of firearms; to arrange for the holding of meetings and contests involving the safe use of firearms; to provide facilities for use in carrying out the above purposes.

​WE ARE A NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION AFFILIATED GUN CLUB

Each club member must be a member of, and maintain membership in, the NRA.

Joining Our Club

Step by Step Guide – Revised 9/2025

1. The Club has a limited number of memberships available for recreational shooters of good character. If you would like to apply for membership, your first requirement is to seek the sponsorship of a current member. Your sponsor is responsible for vouching for your good character and giving you a thorough on-site safety orientation at the Range during the application process.
2. Applications are available at the meeting, or you can save time by printing and completing an Application for Membership from the website at www.swlarifleandpistol.club and reading the Range Rules. Bring your completed Application to your first meeting with your sponsor.
3. At your first meeting, you will receive the following: an application to complete a copy of the Range Rules, copy of the Range Safety Orientation Checklist, and turn in the completed application to the Treasurer. You will be asked to address the members of the Club with your reasons for wanting to join.
4. Immediately following the first Meeting, you will meet with a Range Officer who will briefly review the most important safety rules with you. Prior to the tour of the range with your sponsor, please read the Range Rules and attempt to answer the questions on the checklist.
5. Before attending a second meeting to be considered for membership, you and your sponsor must visit the Range. Bring your rule book and checklist. Your sponsor must walk the entire range with you, explaining the specific rules on pages 23 through 29, that pertain to each numbered range, reviewing all safety rules and verifying you have correctly answered the questions on the Range Safety Orientation checklist. Your sponsor must sign the Checklist affirming he/she gave you a thorough orientation and that you answered all questions correctly. Turn in your signed Checklist at your second meeting to the Secretary.
6. At the second meeting, if everything is in order, the members present will vote to approve your membership. At the end of the meeting, you will pay the $66 Initiation Fee, pay for or verify your NRA membership, and pay a pro-rated portion of the $132 annual dues. Cash payments will receive a receipt. You will receive your membership card which you must have with you at the Range. We recommend you take photos of the front & back of your card and keep them on your phone. Safeguard the Gate combination. Do not give the combination to anyone. The membership year is from June 1st to May 31st. There is no grace period!
7. After your first partial year of membership, your annual dues will always be due in May. PAY IN MAY. If you have not paid your annual membership amount by June 1st each year, you will be dropped from the membership rolls and must re-apply, be sponsored, and be processed as a new member to rejoin. Annual renewal dues for established members are $132 plus an annual $20 New Range/Self Insurance Assessment for a total of $152.
8. You are now a member. Keep your Range Rule Book with you while at the range as reference on how to use each range safely. Refer to the website to check the Range Schedule, rules, by-laws, and other important information. If in doubt about a rule or the safety of any activity, don't proceed. Don't assume anything. Call a Range Officer for help. Unsafe behavior or misconduct will be cause for expulsion from the Club.

Application

How to Join

MEMBERSHIP

The Club's fiscal year runs from June 1 through May 31; therefore, your membership expires on May 31 of each year. Dues notices are mailed out in March or April via the USPS and emailed several times prior to the end of the renewal period on May 31st. The club does not have a grace period. May 31st is the hard deadline for renewing! The gate combination changes on or about July 4th each year. Hence, the phrase “Pay in May or Cry in July!”. This allows the club time to print and mail new membership cards which normally arrive around the middle of June. Members who miss the deadline may rejoin but must complete the entire New Member joining process.

Membership Privileges

After a new member has met the Club's requirements, he or she is entitled to the use of any range except as specified in this rule book. Additional restrictions may be posted at the range and on the Club's website, and / or published in the Club newsletter. Major competitions and work days are normally the only events requiring closure of the entire range.

You are a member of a private club. The gate combination is your permission to use the range. You paid for it. Guard it carefully. It may not be given to friends, relatives, guests or business associates for any reason, including giving the combination to a passenger so you don't have to get out and open the gate. Giving the combination to an unauthorized person is grounds for EXPULSION from the club.

Your Duties as a Member

We depend on our current members to ensure that future members are safe shooters and good citizens. Sponsor only those new members whom you believe will be responsible, and safety conscious; people you won't mind being beside you on the firing line.

Most importantly; take your duty to orient a new member seriously. The orientation process has been the weak link in our membership process. If a new member does not get a thorough orientation, with complete coverage of all ranges, then they will not be able to give a thorough orientation when he or she sponsors a new member. This rule book is designed to assist all members to perform good orientations.

Prepare for your Range Safety Orientation session with the new member you are sponsoring. Cover every section of the Range. Our sport is hazardous. Knowing and obeying all rules mitigates hazards. Make sure the new member you sponsor KNOWS the safety rules. You don't want to have to check your conscience if a new member is hurt or dangerous because you did a sloppy job on their safety orientation.

Bringing a guest to the Range is a big responsibility. Bringing a guest to get them off your back or repay a favor and not being prepared to watch them closely for safety's sake is more than wrong- it could be deadly. You may have to learn to say no. At the least, you may have to postpone any shooting of your own so you can watch over them.

Don't be afraid to tell someone that they need to put on their safety glasses and hearing protection. If someone is doing something dangerous, take the time and the initiative to talk to them. Nobody wants to be the nagger or tattle- tale, but safety is more important than hurt feelings.

Report unsafe acts and conditions to Club Officers. Don't assume someone else will do it. Nothing good will come from a bad incident swept under the rug because someone didn't want to get involved.

Membership Card

Your Club Membership card must be carried at all times. The card contains the following information:

Front side:

• Your name
• Club Membership Expiration Date
• NRA Membership Expiration Date
• Club Mailing Address
• Range Street Address (for GPS use)
• Range Medevac Coordinates

Back side:

• Lock Combination
• Website Address
• Officers' Names & Contact Information

​The Club recommends you take a photo of the front & back of your card and keep it on your phone.

Address & Email Address Changes

As almost all communications from the Club are done electronically, it is vitally important to keep your phone number, and both your email and mailing address updated. Address changes may be emailed to info@swlarifleandpistol.club. or mailed to P.O. Box 5655, Lake Charles, LA 70605-5655.