The Tidewater Friends of NRA Banquet is right around the corner!  The Friends of NRA is the Premier Fundraising Program of The NRA Foundation.  With 600+ fundraising events across the nation each year, Friends of NRA is invested in supporting the community of safe, responsible shooting sports enthusiasts. Net proceeds benefit The NRA Foundation and are distributed among State and national grants.

You can visit Tidewater – Chesapeake, VA | Friends of NRA to find out more details or purchase a ticket.

If you know someone that would donate items/services for our raffles and auctions, we can provide receipt for a tax write off!

Come on out and Join us!!!

We recently reviewed a video from the range where someone was doing something unsafe.  In the background, two other members walked by and even talked to the individual.  The issue is they said nothing. Their lack of response could be because of a couple reasons:

1) The lack of understanding of the Rules (a larger problem)

2) They didn’t see it (hard to miss) or

3) Didn’t feel it was their place or didn’t feel comfortable saying something.

I am hoping it is no 3.  I do understand that some people are not comfortable saying something.  Maybe they are not confident about something or maybe feel intimidated.  While this very well may be the case, but it is incumbent on all members of the club to do just that.  Remember as a member of the club, you are basically the employees or staff that run the range.  If you don’t then who will?  As a member of a club that does not have dedicated range personnel, it is absolutely imperative that we police ourselves.  You can always couch something as a question, “By the way, aren’t muzzles always supposed to be pointed at the berm?” Allow them say yes,I am  they are and if nothing else they can explain why what you saw was incorrect but hopefully it lets them know you are watching and willing to say something so maybe they will be more mindful.  If they come back with no, we can point them anywhere, then there is some education needed and if you don’t want to handle it, you can let the board know about it and we will.

Remember that we can all use a reminder and if we are corrected, please politely take it.  Even if you think you were right, we are not looking for a heated debate.  There is a copy of the rules in the 100 m shed you can always reference, otherwise it is best to say “Thank you for the reminder!” in a pleasant tone.

As members of this club, there is an expectation that you actively looking for safety infractions to prevent anyone getting hurt and the potential loss of our club.  We are not saying that you need to be an active RSO and never shoot, on the contrary we want you to shoot, but when you are on the line, you should when not actively engaged in shooting, be looking and assessing if things are safe.  If they aren’t, you have a responsibility to take some action to address the issue.  This is not someone else’s problem, its everyone’s problem.

We will be publishing periodic safety tips.  These tips are a reminder of our safety rules or suggestions on how to be safe at the club.  If you have any questions about these tips or suggestions on topics to cover, please let the Chief Instructor know at [email protected].

ASC Quick Safety Tip

Bringing a Gun to the Line

If the range that you are going to is COLD, you may only bring a gun to the line if it is cased.  A case is anything that prevents you from accessing the gun.  It must be in a range bag, a holster, a gun sock, a hard/soft sided case etc.

If the range is HOT, you may bring the gun to the line without a case, BUT it must unloaded with the muzzle pointed Straight up, action open and facing out (so anyone can see).  Recognize that there are some guns that action doesn’t open like some muzzle loaders or that some shotguns like hinge or break action would be awkward to have muzzle up.

For Muzzle loaders that do not have an “action” to open, all primers, powder need to be removed, and the striker/hammer must be in the halfcocked (safety position) or down position.

For hinge or break action shotguns, they may come to the line with the action open and the barrels pointed to the ground.

When in doubt, always ask the RSO if the line is hot or cold.

December 6, 2025 – 8am to 1pm (class will initially meet at the 4H Center for a classroom portion)

Cost: $40 for club members and $60 for non-club members (12 spots available).

Class will be taught be ASC Member Sean Powell

This class will cover fundamentals the civilian responder should consider in the event of an active killer/shooter. Classroom will cover basic principles to follow and range drills will cover basic drills and evaluations to help a student understand their current capabilities with their chosen handgun. Students should have a grasp of basic skills for the defensive handgun.

Required Equipment:

Students will need a quality/functional handgun.

At least two spare magazines (would recommend more if using a single stack handgun or revolver)

Quality holster that covers the trigger guard. Suggest students work from concealment (avoid nylon/soft leather holsters and trigger finger retention devices (For example Blackhawk SERPA holsters). If military/law enforcement/security could use duty holsters

Eye and Ear Protection – Electronic Ear Protection Recommended

300 rounds of practice ammunition and at least 20 rounds of defensive/carry/duty ammunition.

Notepad and Pen/Pencil

Zero handguns prior to the class if they have red dots or adjustable iron sights.

Contact Chief Instructor Scott Sampson at Airfield Shooting Club to register at [email protected]