Shooters are being asked to help one of the firearms industry’s leading organizations conduct a market research survey. Please take a moment to learn more about the organization and consider participating in the survey.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is the trade association for America’s firearms industry. Importantly, the NSSF’s mission is to promote, protect, and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. In furtherance of this mission, the NSSF is conducting a study that is designed to help the firearms industry better understand consumers and improve products and services for gun owners. All survey responses are confidential.
The survey will ask about your reasons for owning firearms, hunting, and/or target shooting. Please do not participate in this survey if you do not feel comfortable providing this type of information. Upon completion of the survey, you will be given the opportunity to enter a contest for a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card. Leave the box blank and click Submit if you would prefer to remain anonymous.
First! Thanks again for all of you who have helped on the rifle tube refresh.
I have done an orientation with about 70 % of the qualified rifle tube shooters at the club and in the tube so far. If you have not done it yet, then please get down to one of my planned orientations and let me go over with you. If you have schedule issues, then please contact me and I will set up to meet you. I still have not had time to get the online stuff written and set up.
We have had a lot of shooters through since we opened Saturday 7/23/2016. As of Tuesday, 8/30/2016, members had recorded 159 different firearms used in the tube. (hopefully that is all of them being recorded) I am working on getting the totals of the number of rounds and weights into a spread sheet.
We have had both the target holding sticks shot once and one shot hit on the upper bullet deflector and one shot hit the roof of the tube in front of the antenna for the camera network. ??? The west chronograph light frame has been shot once and pieces are stuck in the wall insulation just past the end of it.
The camera has really been a big hit with most shooters. We have really found it to be useful at the 25 yard line and in the room when we did a couple of tube qualifications. I installed an additional power plug and a Wi-Fi extender over the inside of the tube door and now we have really good signal all the way to the parking lot. It will show up as BullseyeCam112057_Ext and uses the same password as the base Wi-Fi:
(ccgcTUBE ) when you go to connect to the camera system.
The original two air filters completely blocked up in a month. We had expected the first set to block early due to all new dusty rubber and the powdered chemical being loose at the beginning. I changed them Monday, 8/22/2016, and the new ones are already black on the bottom We may eventually need to change to a four filter array if they keep blocking up so fast. We have the space, just a half day of work to remove the existing one and make the new one.
The rubber has not moved nearly as much as I feared and does not show a real need so far to be shoveled or pushed back up. There are the two side hot spots and one in the center (as quite a few people put a target there) that show up but are not big pits yet..
This is a unique rifle tube and backstop and vent system and we will be tweaking things for a while. Let me know if you notice anything that needs work or to be changed. If you don’t let us know about it, we can’t fix or improve it.
I put a new record book in for ONLY guests to sign in and to record any damage or maintenance that needs to be done.
We have a lot of little things still to do when we get time in the future. If you want to do any more just let me know when and what you can help do.
Republican – Democrat: #gunvote National Shooting Sports Foundation
Newtown, CT -(AmmoLand.com)- With both the Republican National Convention (RNC) and the Democratic National Convention (DNC) now behind us, the gap between the Democratic and Republican party line on guns has become even more stark.
A brief comparison of the party platforms illustrates the divide.
Republicans continue to believe government should “acknowledge, support, and defend the law-abiding citizen’s God-given right of self-defense,” but Democrats couldn’t disagree more. Democratic National Committee member Bonnie Schaefer embodied the new Democratic line on Second Amendment issues when she said, “I really don’t personally think anyone should have a gun.”
We will expand and strengthen background checks and close dangerous loopholes in our current laws;
Repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to revoke the dangerous legal immunity protections gun makers and sellers now enjoy;
Keep weapons of war—such as assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines (LCAM’s)—off our streets;
We will fight back against attempts to make it harder for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to revoke federal licenses from law breaking gun dealers,
Ensure guns do not fall into the hands of terrorists, intimate partner abusers, other violent criminals, and those with severe mental health issues;
There is insufficient research on effective gun prevention policies, which is why the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must have the resources it needs to study gun violence as a public health issue
We uphold the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, a right which antedated the Constitution and was solemnly confirmed by the Second Amendment.
We acknowledge, support, and defend the law-abiding citizen’s God-given right of self-defense.
We call for the protection of such fundamental individual rights recognized in the Supreme Court’s decisions in District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago affirming that right, and we recognize the individual responsibility to safely use and store firearms. This also includes the right to obtain and store ammunition without registration.
We support the fundamental right to self-defense wherever a law-abiding citizen has a legal right to be, and we support federal legislation that would expand the exercise of that right by allowing those with state-issued carry permits to carry firearms in any state that issues such permits to its own residents. Gun ownership is responsible citizenship, enabling Americans to defend their homes and communities.
We condemn frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers and oppose federal licensing or registration of law-abiding gun owners.
We oppose legislation that is intended to restrict our Second Amendment rights by limiting the capacity of clips or magazines or otherwise restoring the ill-considered Clinton gun ban.
We condemn the reckless actions associated with the operation known as “Fast and Furious,” conducted by the Department of Justice, which resulted in the murder of a U.S. Border Patrol Agent and others on both sides of the border. We applaud the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in holding the current Administration’s Attorney General in contempt of Congress for his refusal to cooperate with their investigation into that debacle.
We oppose the improper collection of firearms sales information in the four southern border states, which was imposed without congressional authority.
The major gun related goal both parties have in common is to protect our Nation’s citizens and ensure guns do not fall into the hands of criminals. Though the goal is the same, the approach between parties differs drastically.
The key problem is that none of the Democratic policies mentioned above would actually accomplish the shared goal to make American safer. The majority of law enforcement officials agree that any vetted citizen should be able to purchase a firearm for sport or self-defense, and believe qualified, law-abiding armed citizens can help law enforcement reduce violent criminal activity.
Democratic policy choices are not making Americans feel safer. In the wake of tragic terrorist attacks and civil unrest, gun sales have actually risen, demonstrating that Americans look to their Second Amendment rights for protection.
Endorsing repeal of the PLCAA is the most revelatory plank of the Democrat’s platform as it shows the true intent to put gun manufacturers out of business. Democrats need to realize that their attempt to impose stricter gun control laws on lawful gun owners is not only constitutionally wrong, but does the opposite of what they’re advocating. America is safer when law abiding citizens are able to protect themselves and their families and communities.
The choice between party platforms could not be clearer for those who value their Second Amendment rights. It’s a shame that it has come to this. After all, it was not that long ago that many prominent Democrats did not adhere to what is now “progressive” orthodoxy on gun control. But the party is now led by Hillary Clinton, and she has made a concerted decision to campaign on this issue. As a result, the stakes could not be higher. If Hillary Clinton wins the White House, she will claim a mandate to pursue extremist agenda items in the party platform – gun control perhaps first and foremost.
Gun owners, take heed — #GUNVOTE on Nov 8, and tell your friends, family, and fellow gun owners to do the same!
About NSSF:
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 13,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers.
Rifle Tube is Open as of 7/23/2016 to all who have gone through the new orientation.
There has been a delay in getting the online orientation started.
If you want to start shooting again soon, please attend one of the orientations at the club in person. These take about 45 minutes to an hour depending on questions. We will give them every hour on the hour at the times listed below.
If you plan to shoot in the tube at these times then plan on having a one half hour interruption each hour during these time for others to get their orientations done.
Saturday, 7/30/2016: 08:00 to 14:00
Sunday, 7/31/2016: 09:00 to 14:00
Monday, 8/1/2016: 17:00 to 21:00
Saturday, 8/6/2016: 08:00 to 14:00
Saturday, 8/13/2016: 13:00 to 17:00
Sunday, 8/14/2016: 09:00 to 14:00
Questions? Contact David Burch
720-635-7286
dcburch1@comcast.net
After three months of hard work by a few members, we have the Rifle Tube ready to re-open, starting this Saturday, 7/23/2016.
The Tube now has an improved bullet trap/ backstop, improved lighting, ventilation system with filters, a video system for the targets, and many other small improvements.
All current Tube-qualified members must either attend an orientation at the Club or review all the old and new rules and procedures and answer some questions before your access to the tube will be turned back on. This WILL NOT require a shooting test.
Members who are not currently qualified to shoot in the Rifle Tube must schedule to do this orientation in person, plus do the shooting portion when they request to be qualified, as is the procedure now.
I have been very busy trying to get the Tube done and do not have the written orientation and questions ready to post online ready. This will happen next week. Once you have read the procedures and answered the questions and replied back to the Tube address, expect 24-48 hours before your badge is turned back on. I will send another message out when the online process is active. The reply address for this will will be at a different email address than mine. ccgctube1@gmail.com
Come to the on-site days if you want to get access soonest.
The on-site orientation will take 20-30 minutes to cover the rules and physically show you how to use the video system and the new target backstop system. If you do the online it will take as long as you need. But the on-line will only have the written instructions for the video system and links to the vendor’s site.
We will be doing orientations at the Club this Saturday and Sunday (7/23 and 7/24) from 08:00 to 17:00.
We will be doing orientations at the club on Saturdays (7/30 & 8/6) from 09:00 to 13:00. If enough members show interest, this time may run later.
We will be doing orientations at the club Monday nights (7/25 & 8/1) from 17:00. to 21:00
After that it will be online or by special request and availability of a trainer or the online one.
The rifle Tube opens Saturday morning, 7/23/2016. Every tube shooting
member will have to either attend an orientation or read the new info
online and send me a message saying that they have read it to get their
badge turned back on for door access.
I will give in-person orientations Saturday and Sunday from 08:00 to
17:00 or so. So if you come in person, I will sign you off. Otherwise,
it will be into next week before I can guarantee that I will have the
stuff posted online.
I am still working on the updated rules and policies for the tube
shooting and getting help from the Bill’s, Bierbach and Spinuzzi. I
have not had time to get a start on the signage yet either.
I have the camera bullet stop plate drilled and just need to make
hangers and get it up. There is not much being done in the shooting
room except new signs and cleaning up. We need to get the air cut-off
handle marked and pinned so everyone just does not play with it.
We still need to finish the target hanger. We decided on setting up
the targets to hang 60 inch wide by 36 high cardboard. This
leaves space to move between the stanchions to shovel the rubber. It
works well with the camera with a 43 in wide by 30 inch high field of
view for the targets.
The camera system is in place and working fantastically. Hack shooters
like me and probably most of the pro’s will love it. We had to change
all the lamp holders for the target lights. Between the white paint on
the walls and ceiling and the re-positioned and new lights, the targets
are really easy to see with both the camera and the scopes. We have
fired .450 Bushmaster (Socom), .30-06, .308 and .223. They all show up
great and, with the camera, you can really see the .223 in the black on
the targets now.
We videoed the rubber last night shooting a .223 and a .308. It is
interesting to watch the rubber jump and bounce. We will have to see
how much it moves and how fast to decide when we need to shovel. As
much went up as went down. It is a nine minute video for 10 shots and a
very big (1 GB) file. I can show it to anyone at the club but am
looking for an edit program for MP4 files to just cut out that part.
We have done sound test at the fan house and from 100 yards; all are
less than 60 dB on the fire access road. When we were doing the .450
shots, the two kids that road past me on bicycles were 66 dB. I am
calling that good and will need some help to move the chemicals and
rubber in to the building.
I will be at the club this Thursday and Friday from 08:00 until after
lunch sometime, and Saturday and Sunday, 08:00 to 17:00 If any of you
come in I will get the orientation quickly done for you. You can also
critique it. We will get badges turned on after next Monday (Bill Spinuzzi will be out of town)
Hope to see you this weekend.
Here is a video of the camera display doing a “Show Shot” of before and
after shooting 5 rounds of .308 that shows the rubber movement if you
are interested..
I will send out more info in the next day or so.
—
David Burch
The fan house is finished and up and running. No more outside work at
this time until after we do the last of the sound tests. We will then
move the additional rubber and chemicals into it for storage.
We did ten shots of a .308 at 25 yards in the tube and the noise levels
outside the fan house were very low, 58 dB at the road on the south
side. We did 5 shots from a .30-06 at 100 yards and you could
hardly hear it and it was less than ambient noise (would not move the
meter at 50 dB), so all the duct work and sound proofing is working.
The rubber shows that it was hit but not much movement.
We got the shelf and power outlet for the video camera installed and
tested the router. We need to make a mount for the camera and get it
located. Then we can locate and mount the bullet deflector after we get
the mount built.
We still have to decide on what we are doing for the bottom part of the
target hangers. The targets cannot move or the camera system will not
work correctly.
We still have some clean up and repairs in the shooting room and
positions. We need to add a couple of electrical plugs above the
shooting doors. We have to finish the cleanup in the tube at the wall
and chronographs.
I will be out of town until at least Thursday night. (this might run
into Friday due a relative’s health). I will plan to be at the club at
10:00 on Friday and 08:00 on Saturday and Sunday unless I send out a
message otherwise. I will have to leave Sunday around 11:00 due to a
family commitment. (Take visiting grandson to the Tanner Gun Show). I
hope we can get most of it done. I will be available the next week
before opening to finish up as needed.
Please let me know if you will be coming to assist.
I am working on the updated Rifle Tube Orientation and will have
everyone do it online. All the volunteers who have worked are welcome
to come and go through what I will send out soon to see if it works and
then do some test shots. If you have a Go-Pro that is charged and ready
to go, bring it so we can record what the rubber is doing for movement
please. We also want to get the noise levels for a variety of caliber
firearms.
We are getting close thanks to a lot of repeat helpers. The rubber is in. The fan, filters and duct work are installed and we seem to have the proper amount of air flow. We have
the variable pulley on the motor at its lowest setting, so we can easily
increase the airflow if needed.
Bill Spinuzzi got the tablet mounts installed in the shooting room for
the camera system.
Warren has almost finished the air inlet vent shut off. He still may
need help in Finishing the target holder supports at the bottom.
Do any of you have a Go-pro camera we could use to record the rubber in
the box while we do test shots to see how it bounces? Also, if any of
you have a wind meter, we might try to measure the airflow in the tube?
We need to:
– Finish closing the door on the fan house and install a shutter on it and
a door sill and seals to keep the weather out. Not a bit job but time
consuming.
– Install a shelf for the power supply and router for the camera.
– Install a power box for the router and camera
– Locate and install the camera.
– Finish fabricating the mount for the errant bullet deflector for the
camera and install it.
– Install the hangers for the shovels and rake at the target box.
– Finish smoothing the dirt in the tube at the end of the concrete.
– Refurbish and add mounts for the 25 and 50 yard crutches.
– Refurbish the rifle racks at the 25 and 50 yard crutches.
– Clean up more of the loose soundproofing debris a the shooting end of
the tube.
– Work on Replacing the shooting door/hole panels and cleaning up the
sound baffles and securing all the loose wire and pieces.
– Install the hour meter for the fan.
– Add additional outlets in the shooting room for the tablets.
– Clean up and spruce up the shooting room.
– Do test shots and audio level recordings. Also to see what we need to
plan on for taking care of the rubber for our new procedures.
– Lots of small stuff and not all may get done now. And probably some I
forgot.
We should be close to setting an opening day in the next couple
of weeks. I don’t want to just do it and not have things done we could
have.
I will be there at 08:00 Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Please let me
know if you are going to be able to come and help. I have family
commitments and will be packing and out of town , Sunday through Thursday.
Nine volunteers did a great job today. Lots of little stuff to do but we
are getting close. I will be there at 08:00 Sunday but am not in any
hurry to start.
—
David Burch
