National Shooting Range open for use

The National Shooting range is now open for use by members of the general public.{{more}}

The Agency for Public Information announced on Monday that the range, which is located at Arnos Vale in the vicinity of the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, can be accessed from Monday to Thursday, from 4:30 p.m. to dusk; on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to dusk and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

However, only members of the National Firearms Association will be allowed to use the range, which was built at a cost of EC$1.3 million, and officially opened on June 23, 2011.

Persons wishing to apply for membership to the National Firearms Association may collect an application form at the Traffic Branch of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force or at the Ministry of National Security. Copies of the constitution governing the range are also available.

Fees for membership of the Firearms Association are: Life Member (Onetime payment), $2,500; Full Member, $250 a year; Service Member, $100 a year; Institutional Member, $500 a year; Temporary Member (not exceeding 1 year), $150; Junior Member, $50 a year; Visiting Member, $50; Trainee, $25 per session; Storage Fee, $25 a month.

Members without ammunition will be charged $1.00 for each round used.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines National Firearms Association Inc. is a not-for-profit company which was formed with the objective to operate and upkeep (manage) the Shooting Range; to promote and encourage the sport of shooting in St Vincent and the Grenadines; to promote Sports Tourism in order to generate revenue; to promote and encourage the safe handling, storage and use of firearms by members, licensed firearms holders and the law enforcement community; to make a positive contribution to civil society through the disciplined approach inherent in the development of shooting skills, and to procure Arms and Ammunition for sale among members.

The affairs of the Association shall be managed by an Executive Board, a number of whose members will be appointed by Government.