Armidale Pistol Club has drawn a bead on 2022 as the year its members will return to the range as a $5,000 State Government to bring the site up to safety standards with Club President Barry Horne, left, member Croydon Berryman, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and members Carmel Dawson and Greg Dawson.
Thursday, 27 January 2022
ARMIDALE Pistol Club has ‘drawn a bead’ on 2022 as the year its members will return to the range, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing a $5,000 State Government to bring the site up to safety standards.
Mr Marshall said the range on Long Swamp Road had been closed since 2019 after authorities identified issues with the height of the 25 metre back-mount.
“It’s been two years since Armidale Pistol Club and Sporting Shooter Association of Australia (SSA) members have been permitted to fire a round at the local range,” Mr Marshall said.
“Needless to say trigger fingers are itching as volunteers work tirelessly to access dirt and gravel to raise the back-mount height to the required six-metre standard.
“Nelson’s Earthmoving has been hired to build up the back-mount and it is expected that work could be completed as soon as the end of this year.
“Safety is paramount when it comes to handling firearms and I congratulate Armidale Pistol Club volunteers for the work done to ‘knock over’ the requirements.”
Armidale Pistol Club President Barry Hone said he was desperate to get members back at the range and enjoying a sport they love.
“Our club has 25 members, including two women and two juniors, and it has been disappointing for everyone that we haven’t been able to have a competitive shoot at home for such a long time,” Mr Hone said.
“Club members have been very busy with working bees to complete putting in timber and steel barriers in the back-mount, as per the instructions from the first inspection and this grant will complete the earthwork component of the project.
“Once we have the tick of approval from the NSW Firearms Registry we will reopen and commence shooting and training our members who travel all over the country and world to compete.
“Our two juniors are learning firearms safety on the indoor 10 metre range and they are excited about being able to test their skills over a longer distance.
“Also the SSAA has over 200 members that have used our range in the past and we look forward to welcoming them back.
“$5,000 may be a small amount of money but for our club it means being finally able to compete again and I thank Adam and the State Government for their support in making this happen.”