I went to my first Board of Directors meeting last night at my home Gun Club. this being my first meeting I was in the shut up and listen mode. A variety of topics came up concerning club policy. One of the topics that came up was conducting background checks via NCIC through our local Sherrif.

The BOD adopted a new policy last night that states that any new member that joins the club must go through a background check. this came about because a member or members of the BOD were told in a conversation with a shooter on the grounds that he had been charged with assault.

Now the club wants to check backgrounds on all new members. I sat there utterly at a loss for words. I thought I knew these people but was just flattened that anything like this would even be considered much less adopted.

I have a few questions:

Anyone else have to go through a BGI before you were allowed to join a Gun Club?

Anyone even heard of such a thing?

I plan on bringing this up during our general memberhip meeting in two weeks and would like to receive input or thoughts for discussion.

This is goes against what I thought we were as a club, there have been no other incidents other than the "conversation" and is a complete over reaction to a non existent problem.

I am a Life Member and not subject the the BGI but if I was about to become an annual member I doubt I would join if I had to submit to this.

I think in the end we will lose many members and it might be repealed regardless unless I underestimate how domesticated most have become.

Thanks for you help.

There are certain risks in any activity. We have an active trap program that draws many people who aren't members We also draw many non members for Smallbore, Highpower and pistol matches. The club is open to all during matches and clinics. Should they be required to submit to background checks also?

It is a bad policy on all fronts.

You can't childproof the World.

It is illegal to use NCIC or Ohio LEADS data for non criminal justice purposes.  The most the Sheriff could do for you is check local public information records. This is usually pretty complicated as most law enforcement agancies want you to specify which reports you are seeking copies of.  As to checking records I believe the board would have to do that on thier own or hire a private firm to do this, usual cost is around $75.

I would suggest that this is for liability reasons and the fact that most gun owners simply do not want the fallout of being associated with criminals.  This is especially true of an organized club.  

Can you provide a cite or a link where I can research this further or print this out please.



We have a fantastic facility, should have Highpower pits next year and have very active junior programs in Trap and Smallbore.

I understand the motivation but this is the same type of thinking we rail against. We can't keep all the bad people out, there is just no way. we have an open gate most times with people coming and going plus events that are heavily attended. The odds are that at some point there was or will be a person on the grounds who is prohibited from owning firearms, once again you can't childproof the World.

Thanks for the reply

I don't think you understand, I don't even support background checks on the purchase of firearms much less have to pass one when joining a Gun Club.

Thanks anyway