Frequently Asked Questions
about Marple Rifle and Pistol Club

 To speak to a Range Officer and make an appointment for a visit, call: 0161 427 9133  

 between 20:00 and 21:00 Monday to Thursday and you will be given directions to the Club.

 We operate a booking system and only take a maximum of 2 new visitors per day.

• 1) How do I visit the club? See 'How to visit the club' for full details and to be given directions to the club's range.
   
• 2) What is the minimum age limit for joining the club? The minimum age for full membership is 17, however there is a junior membership between 14 and 17. Juniors pay a reduced annual subscription and range fee. Minimum age for airgun shooting is 17.
  
  
• 3) Is there a senior section? Yes, from 65 for men and 60 for women. Seniors pay a reduced annual membership fee, there is no upper age limit for shooting or obtaining a Firearms Certificate.
  
  
• 4) How do I become a member? You pay your annual membership fee (there is no joining fee) and then attend the Club to shoot for a minimum of 18 times over the next 6 months. This is the probationary period and on successful completion, membership is confirmed at the next committee meeting.
  
  
• 5) What is the current annual membership fee? £90 for adults, £65 for seniors and £25 for juniors. There is no joining fee.
  
  
• 6) Is there a family rate for membership? Starting in 2004 the Club began to offer family membership, to all persons living at the same address. This takes the form of one person paying the full rate annual membership (currently £90 per year) and all others paying a reduced rate of £10.
  
  
• 7) What is the cost of the range fee? £2 for all adults and £1 for juniors. This is paid once each day that you come to the range to shoot.
  
  
• 8) When are the annual subscriptions due? The subs run from 1st January to 31st December. There is a proportional reduction when joining, dependent on how many months have elapsed, e.g. if you join in June, you will pay a half the annual rate.
  
  
• 9) What other costs apart from Annual Subscriptions are there? There is a Range Fee paid once each day that you shoot. Other costs depend on the shooter and vary depending on personal requirements / circumstances. These could include such items as ammunition, targets, competition fees, travel and refreshments.
  
  
• 10) Can you store my gun for me at the range as I do not want to have it in the house? The short answer is no.
  
  
• 11) Can women participate without disadvantage? Yes, very definitely since strength is not a major issue.
  
  
• 12) Are women welcome to join the Club? Yes, we encourage ladies to come and have a go in all disciplines.
  
  
• 13) I have been banned for drink-driving, will this be a bar to obtaining a Firearms Certificate? Not necessarily, but it must be declared when applying for a Firearms Certificate (FAC).
  
  
• 14) What will be a bar to obtaining a Firearms Certificate? Any criminal conviction involving violence or the use of firearms. Some minor offences lapse after the passage of a few years and a Firearms Certificate can then be granted. Note that it is absolutely necessary that you declare any convictions of any sort to us when coming to the Club to shoot, even as a visitor, see  Gun law page for more details.
  
  
• 15) Who owns the Club? The members. It is a social organisation that is run by the members and for the members. It is not a commercial organisation in any way and is definitely not a profit making organisation at all.
  
  
• 16) Where is the Club located? In Marple, Stockport, Cheshire, England,  see How to visit Marple Rifle and Pistol Club for contact details and times of opening.
  
  
• 17) How do I contact the Club? Either by telephone on:  0161 427 9133, or via email at: enquiries@marplerifleandpistolclub.org.uk However it is best to call the Club, as much more information can be imparted in a short telephone conversation than can be given by even a long email reply. To visit the club, you must telephone first, arrangements for a first visit cannot be made by email.
  
  
• 18) Is target shooting an anti-social sport?   No, not at all. Neither unfortunately is it a spectator sport and this does mean that it has a relatively low profile, compared, say to cricket. This has the effect of making it a somewhat 'invisible' pastime.
   
  
• 19) Why do you say 17 is the minimum age for airgun shooting? There are two reasons for this, firstly there is a degree of physical strength required, since all shooting is done from an unsupported standing position and generally children under 17 are not sufficiently well developed to do this comfortably and safely. Secondly, from over 15 years experience, we have found that children under 17 are not sufficiently mature to make safe progress on their own, they need constant one-to-one instruction and supervision. Regrettably we do not have the manpower to provide such levels of instruction, hence the age limit.
  
  
• 20) Why if the minimum age for airgun is 17, do you allow younger persons to shoot .22 cartridge guns? Unlike airgun shooting, most .22 is done prone with a supporting sling, so strength is not such an issue. Secondly since most shooting is done prone, the freedom of movement of the shooter is much restricted and the possible risk of a hazardous situation arising is greatly reduced. A further point is that all shooting is broken into short duration details, unlike airgun, so there are frequent rest periods.
  

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Revised 30-Nov-2007.