Constitution of Stead Hall Rifle and Pistol Club

SECTION 1

The Objects of the club are to promote and foster the interests in all forms of shooting target practice with Rifles, Pistols and shotguns for sport and competition.

The Club is governed by a Committee of 6 (six) Full Club Members including principle offices of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Safety Officer.

The Committee is elected by Full Club Members at an Annual General Meeting. The period of office for the Committee is 5 (five) years from that meeting.

The Annual General Meeting is held no later than April 21st annually, and is called by the Secretary giving 28 (twenty eight) days notice to the Full Club Members.

Committee Members retiring during their period of office will be replaced by a Full Club Member nominated by the remaining Committee Members. The nominated Committee Member will remain in office for the remaining period of the Committee's 5 (five) year term.

The Committee has the authority to change the Club rules at their discretion and to enter into agreements that are binding on the Club.

The Secretary must call an Extra-ordinary General Meeting of Full Club Members. Such a meeting must be called within 28 (twenty eight) days of receiving the petition.

MEMBERSHIP DEFINITION

1. FULL MEMBER. The minimum age for a Full Member is 14 years.
A person may join as a Full Member who has served a Probationary Membership of a Home Office approved Club, or a person in possession of a valid Firearm Certificate. The Club's application form must be completed and accepted by the Club Secretary.

2. PROBATIONARY MEMBER. The Minimum age for a Probationary Member is 14 years.

The Club's application form must be completed and signed by the applicant. The application form must be countersigned by the applicant's parent or guardian if under 18 years old.

Applicants for Probationary Membership must be proposed and seconded but one of the sponsors shall be a Full Member of the Club and one must be a person who knows the applicant personally whether or not that second sponsor is a Full Member of the Club.

Applications for the Probationary Membership must be accepted by the Club Secretary.

Probationary Members who are in possession of firearms or ammunition must be personally supervised by a Full Member of the Club who holds a Firearms Certificate, or by the Range Officer.

The period of probation shall not be less than six months and not more than twelve months. During this period the probationary Member must have shot not less than 24 x 1/2 hour details.

On completion of the Probationary period, the number of attendances, Depth of interest, apparent character and conduct shall be reviewed and if satisfactory, Full Membership will be confirmed. The Committee May refuse Full Membership without giving any reason whatsoever.

Dispensation to the Probationary period may be given to persons who have a Firearms Certificate, or who are a Full Member of any other Home Office approved Club.

Probationary Members must not apply for a Firearms Certificate unless they have Full Membership of another Home Office approved Club or can justify their application in their own right.

Probationary Members must ensure their attendance card is completed by an officer of the Club for every 1/2-hour detail.

Probationary Members must complete the attendance register on every visit to the Club.

3. Novice Member (non-shooting) The minimum age for a Novice Member is 14 years. The Novice Member may only visit the Club: -

1) To receive initial instruction in the safe handling of firearms (but not ammunition) from a Club Member who has a Firearms Certificate.

2) Having given the Club Secretary 48 hours notice of intent to visit on each and every occasion a visit is attended.

3) The Novice Member may only visit the Club four times a year. (The year starts from the first visit).

4) The Novice Member must complete the attendance register on every visit to the Club.

The Club Member who has a Firearms Certificate who offers instruction to the Novice Member takes responsibility for any firearms used for that instruction.

4. GUEST MEMBER (shooting) The minimum age for a guest member is 14 years.

1) Guest Members should attend in not less than groups of 10.

2) Guest Members should be known to one of more Full Member of the Club.

3) Guest Members must receive instruction in the use of Firearms. The instruction must be carried out by a Full Member who has a Firearms Certificate.

4) Guest Members must be personally supervised at all times when handling firearms and/or ammunition by the Range Officer or by a Full Member of the Club who has a Firearms Certificate.

5) Guest Members must complete the attendance register on every visit to the Club.

6) There shall be no more than four guest days per year. The local police must be given reasonable notice of such guest days by the Club Secretary.

5. SOCIAL MEMBER (non-shooting)
Any person may attend the Club premises for social purposes.

They must not have access to firearms or ammunition.

They must complete the attendance register on their visit to the Club.

SECTION 2

RANGE FEE

All Full Members, Probationary Members and Guest Members shall be required to pay a Range Fee for the use of the Range (Except Gold Members).

SUBSCRIPTIONS AND JOINING FEES

MEMBERS

The amount of annual subscription shall be fixed by the Committee and shall be due and payable by existing Members on the due date each year. Any Member whose subscription has not been paid within 14 days after the due date shall forfeit Membership. Re-admission may be granted within a reasonable time after Membership has lapsed at the discretion of the Committee upon payment of all arrears.

In the case of person joining for the first time and no Probationary Membership being served, the full subscription and joining fee in this case or part there of is payable at the time of joining.

PROBATIONARY MEMBERS

The amount of the annual subscription shall be paid on joining. The joining fee shall be paid on converting to Full Membership.

SECTION 3

EXPULSION FROM MEMBERSHIP OR PROBATIONARY MEMBERSHIP

The Committee may remove from the roll of Members or Probationary Members, whichever the case may be, any person who breaks any Club rule and whose conduct on the Range or upon the premises occupied or used by the Club or elsewhere, which is in the opinion of the Committee is unseemly, dangerous, objectionable or calculated to bring the Club into disrepute. In such an event the circumstances may be reported to the local Chief Officer of Police, and forfeiture of any Firearms Certificate held, together with legal proceedings could follow.

Members or Probationary Members who are expelled shall have no claim upon the Club or Committee for any refund or any part of any subscription or joining fees paid, or any other monies.

The Police will be informed of any member who fails to retain Full Membership either compulsory or voluntarily.

SECTION 4

FIREARMS - GENERAL PROCEDURE AND HANDLING

Firearms and ammunition whilst being carried to and from the Club premises must be carried in an unobtrusive manner.

Firearms and ammunition must not be left in unattended vehicles.

Firearms must be unloaded at all times except whilst in use on the Range and seen to be so, i.e. bolt back, breech exposed, magazine removed.

Firearms, when not in use on the Range, must be put in the gun rack in the club room.

Firearms must never be pointed at any person under any circumstances at any time.

Firearms and ammunition must at all times be kept under the personal supervision and control of their owners or users.

RANGE RULES

Shooting may only begin when the Range is under the supervision of the Range Officer appointed by the Club.

Only firearms and ammunition for which the Range is licensed may be used.

Persons may only use firearms which they are legally entitled to own and/or use.

No person shall enter the Range Area without permission from the Range Officer or a Committee Member.

Firearms may only be handled and loaded and shooting commence on command from the Range Officer and when the 'Red Light' is illuminated.

Shooting at all times must be directed to the target area at authorised targets.

Persons must not leave the firing points during the detail without permission from the Range Officer.

Shooting must cease immediately on command from the Range Officer of "Cease Fire" and the extinguish of the 'RED Light'. Firearms must then be unloaded and made ready for inspection by the Range Officer. After inspection firearms may be covered or boxed. Only after the 'All Clear' is given may people leave the firing line.

Firearms must not be handled when people are forward of the firing line, changing targets etc.

The Range Officer must be called to supervise the correction of any firearms which have jammed whilst shooting.

Ear protectors and shooting glasses must be worn by shooters whilst engaged in shooting.

Rifles with new scopes fitted must be bore sighted first before being used on the Range. (club bore sighter available to be used by all members).

Smoking and consumption of refreshments is forbidden whilst in the Range Area.

The Range Officer has complete authority on the Range at all times and all instructions given by him/her must be obeyed without exception.