Wildlife and firearm clubs across the province are recognizing National Range Day on Saturday, (June 1), including associations from Trail, Castlegar, Nelson and Grand Forks.
Open to people of all ages and abilities, these free events feature education about legal firearm ownership.
At the Casino Range, for example, the Trail Wildlife Association will educate about legally owing a firearm and offer guests a chance to try their hand at shooting, with members on site to chat.
All attendees will have a chance to win a Canadian Firearms Safety Course (Pal and Rpal).
Those with a valid firearms licence can enter to win a target 22.
Another feature will be a round-robin set-up where event goers can learn about various shooting disciplines and the history of firearm ownership in Canada.
“Range day is a great opportunity for shooters and non-shooters alike to experience firearms in a safe and friendly environment,” said Cassy Premack, B.C. Wildlife Federation Region 5 president, in a May 28 brief.
“Events are held the first Saturday of June and help make shooting sports accessible in our communities.”
Target ranges around the province are typically operated by local fish and game clubs for their members’ use and often as practice facilities for local police departments.
Throughout the year, the Casino range is used by the Department of National Defense, RCMP, and Canadian Border Services Agency.
To use the Casino range as a private citizen, an annual membership to one of these nonprofits is required; Trail Wildlife Association, West Kootenay Marksmen, or West Kootenay Archers.
Earlier this year, the Knights of Pythias donated $20,000 to the West Kootenay Marksmen for new shooting benches and to upgrade the rural grounds into an accessible site for persons with disabilities, including wheelchair access.
National Range Day goes 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Trail and Castlegar ranges; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Nelson range; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grand Forks range.
See event details at:
• Trail Wildlife Association, 3430 Casino Road, Trail, trailwildlife.com;
• Castlegar and District Wildlife Association, Borrow Pit Road, Robson, castlegarpistolclub.com;
• Nelson District Rod and Gun Club, 124 Porto Rico Rd., Nelson, nrgcbc.ca;
• Grand Forks Wildlife Association, 8810 Granby Rd, Grand Forks, gfwa.ca.
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