All about Cornwall Handgun Club

Facilities and Ranges:

The Cornwall Handgun Club offers a variety of outdoor ranges to accommodate different shooting disciplines and firearm types. These include:

• 15-meter / 50-meter Range with a covered shoot house: This versatile range allows for shooting at both closer and mid-range distances, with protection from the elements.
• Two 25-meter Action Shooting Ranges: These ranges are specifically designed for dynamic shooting sports that involve movement and timed scenarios.
• 50-meter / 100-meter Rifle Range with a new covered shoot house: This range is dedicated to rifle shooting at longer distances. It's important to note that handguns are generally not permitted on this specific range.

The club provides year-round access for members from Monday to Saturday, 8:30 AM until official sunset, and on Sundays from 9 AM until official sunset. However, on Sundays, high-powered rifles and shotguns are not permitted. The gate to the facility is typically locked unless a scheduled event is taking place, signifying its private nature.

Firearms and Ammunition Permitted:

The club is a handgun club, but it accommodates a broader range of firearms on specific ranges:

• Handguns: Allowed on the 15m, 25m, and 50m ranges.
• Rifles: Allowed on the 15m, 25m, 50m, and 100m ranges, depending on the discipline. High-powered rifles and shotguns have restricted hours.
• Shotguns: Allowed during specific hours for certain disciplines, but not on Sundays.

The club does not store firearms or ammunition on site.

Shooting Disciplines:

The Cornwall Handgun Club offers opportunities to participate in a variety of shooting sports and host events throughout the year. These include:

• IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation): A dynamic sport focused on accuracy, speed, and power, often involving shooting on the move.
• IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association): Simulates real-world self-defense scenarios using practical equipment.
• Bullseye Shooting: Focuses on precision marksmanship with pistols and .22 caliber rifles at fixed targets.
• Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS): A themed sport requiring specific period firearms (single-action revolvers, lever-action rifles, double-barrel shotguns) and period costume, often with metal targets. The club hosts matches in conjunction with groups like the Ottawa Valley Marauders.
• Wild Bunch Action Shooting: Similar to CAS but uses specific modern firearms like 1911 pistols, pistol-caliber lever-action rifles, and 12-gauge pump shotguns.
• .22 Caliber Shoots: Regular events for small-bore pistols and rifles.
• Mil-Shoots: Likely involve military-style firearms.
• Black Powder Demonstration Day: An event showcasing black powder firearms.

Services and Membership:

The Cornwall Handgun Club operates as a private, members-only club. Non-members can only access the facilities when accompanied by a current member, or during special events open to visitors, such as their annual Open House. The club also serves as a training ground for various law enforcement agencies, including the Cornwall Police, OPP, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, RCMP, and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

To become a member, prospective individuals must follow a structured process:

1. Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL): Applicants must first obtain their PAL, which involves completing and passing the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) for non-restricted firearms, and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) for handguns.
2. Application and Preliminary Checks: After obtaining a PAL, individuals contact the club's membership secretary. Preliminary paperwork is completed, and details are passed to the police for background checks.
3. Introduction and Initial Visits: Potential members are invited for an initial visit to the range to learn about the club and its activities. They cannot handle firearms on this first visit.
4. References and Further Checks: If still interested, applicants provide signed references from two separate referees and two passport photos. Police background and reference checks are conducted.
5. Supervised Shoots and Safety Briefing: Once police checks are complete, potential members are invited back for subsequent visits. After a full safety briefing, they are allowed to shoot club firearms under supervision, typically one round at a time. A range fee and ammunition cost apply.
6. Probationary Membership: After three such visits, if the individual wishes to proceed and is accepted, they pay the full membership fee and a joining fee to become a probationary member. This probationary period lasts a minimum of six months, during which members receive training on firearm and range safety, including NRA probationary training.
7. Full Membership: Upon successful completion of the probationary period, the committee reviews the application, and full membership is granted or rejected.

The club emphasizes safety and responsible firearm use, providing training and guidance throughout the membership process. They are affiliated with the National Firearms Association (NFA), and members typically have liability insurance through this affiliation. Membership fees vary for individual, family, and junior categories, with a one-time joining fee for new members.