The Pikes Peak Gun Club has a commitment to provide a safe and enjoyable shooting experience for their members, guests and the community. This is an essential priority for the club which has established rules and regulations that all visitors must follow, regardless of their shooting activity.
Chief among our safety practices is the establishment of a Range Safety Officer program (RSO), a group of club members who volunteer overseeing the activities on the various ranges and confirm that those using the facilities adhere to the club Range Rules (see: https://pikespeakgunclub.org/range-safety-rules/).
The RSO program is currently administered by Mr. Ken Miller, an experienced shooting instructor with a strong background in law enforcement and teaching. He has provided firearms training to police officers and military personnel in both domestic and foreign environments.
All RSOs are required to take and successfully pass an NRA Range Safety Officer Certification class, which is offered by the club on a periodic basis. The PPGC pays the fees for the class and provides the instruction which is given by certified Chief RSOs. Those who take the class are then expected to serve as RSOs for half-day periods at the ranges at least 12 times each year. Although they are volunteers, PPGC RSOs do receive credit for working in the form of punch cards that they can redeem for range time. They sign up for their times in advance by calling the PPGC Office and requesting their dates/times. Their current responsibilities include the monitoring of the Rifle and Pistol ranges as well as the Archery Range.
RSOs are easily identified by their red hats and orange safety vests. They are also equipped with a paper copy of the Range Rules to help confirm any questions about procedures and rules and have hand-held radios that are used to communicate with the PPGC Office.
All RSOs receive basic medical trauma training and are fully aware of the range protocols regarding accidents and other emergency situations. They also check to make sure that all shooters have properly signed in to the PPGC Clubhouse and are displaying the appropriate color of wrist band.
Given the extensive shooting experiences of the RSOs, many gladly serve as a resource including providing assistance for the new shooter, the young shooter and those not familiar with the operation of newly-purchased firearms. RSOs are expected to provide a short summary of the range rules to non-members who are using the range and observe them to confirm that they do follow the rules (Upon arrival, non-members are given a paper hand-out containing a list of the basic rules.).
PPGC RSOs do have the final word when any disputes arise and have the authority to eject and/or report those shooters who do not comply with the range rules. In case of escalating confrontations, they are required to notify the PPGC Manager who will then deal with the situation.
RSOs are expected to assist with basic orientation such as helping shooters to locate target frames, insure the proper placement of paper targets, offer advice on shooting issues when asked and assist with any other situations that may arise.
Finally, they are expected to perform basic range maintenance while on duty, such as checking the first aid kits, collecting any debris that interferes with shooting, insuring that that there are available functioning target frames and cardboard, functioning staple guns for attaching targets and making basic repairs to the target frames.
Anyone wishing to be part of this important volunteer service should contact the PPGC Clubhouse at 719-683-4420 or by email at: info@pikespeakgunclub.org/