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.

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How to Join Our Club

Applicants for membership must be sponsored by current Club member. If an applicant does not know any members, he or she may solicit a sponsor from those in attendance at a monthly meeting. Monthly meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month. The sponsoring member is responsible for vouching for your good character and giving you a thorough on-site orientation at the Range covering safety and the proper use of each range.

 

Applications for Membership may be downloaded from the Club's website at www.swlarifleandpistol.club along with the Range Rules. It is recommended a prospective member complete the application, read the rules and bring your completed Application to your first meeting with your sponsor. Membership applications and Rule Books are also available at the meeting.

 

At the first meeting, the prospective member will turn in the completed application, show his or her NRA membership card or apply for NRA membership, receive a copy of the Range Rules, and the Range Safety Orientation Checklist. All applicants will be called upon to briefly address the members of the Club with your reasons for wanting to join the Club. Pay only for NRA membership, if needed, at this time.

Immediately following the first Meeting, applicants will meet with a Range Officer who will review the most important safety rules and answer any questions.

After the first meeting and before attending the second meeting, the prospective member and his or her sponsor must visit the range, review the entire Rule Book, and conduct a tour of the entire Range explaining the proper use of each individual range. Following the tour, the applicant shall complete the Range Safety Orientation Checklist. The Checklist must be turned in at the second meeting.

At the second meeting, if everything is in order, the members present will vote to approve your membership. At that time, you will pay the Initiation Fee of 50% of the annual dues, a pro-rated portion of the annual dues, and furnish proof of your NRA membership. The new member will then receive a membership card which you must have with you at the Range. Click the icon below to download the application to join our club. Complete the application and bring it to the next meeting to apply. This will expedite the time you spend before the meeting.

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MEMBERSHIP

Membership Year

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 April via the USPS and emailed several times prior to the end of the grace period on June 30. The club allows the month of June as a grace period. The gate combination changes on or about July 4th each year. Hence, the phrase “Pay in May or Cry in July!”

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. 

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