THE Mount Gambier Gun Club has fired back to life in recent weeks after restricted practice sessions ensured shooting returned to the venue.
All gun clubs across the state were forced to close due to COVID-19 at the end of March, but last month restrictions eased and allowed the Mount Gambier range to reopen with a return session on May 23.
It has become a weekly event each Saturday as shooters from across the Limestone Coast have returned to the venue to fire their weapons once again.
Previously no more than 10 members could shoot during a single hour-long session between 11 and four o’clock.
However, after a recent Mount Gambier Gun Club meeting, the limit is now lifted to allow 15 active participants per hour from tomorrow onward.
Mount Gambier Gun Club secretary Barry Sims said each practice session would take place under heavy restrictions.
“No more than 15 people can come out and shoot,” he said.
“Each hour we will change over to another group of 15 people.
“We book the people in beforehand because we have to do it by law.
“Each member puts their name and address down, maintains social distancing, washes their hands and wipes their equipment clean, so we have all our safety things in place.”
Sims said the club’s members had enjoyed their time back at the range after a long break.
“The sessions have been good,” he said.
“Everyone is quite happy to pull the trigger and shoot something again.
“They have all enjoyed it and talked to one another.”
Although the sound of guns did not reverberate around Gladigau Road for the best part of two months, Sims said the club remained in stable condition during the tough period.
“We have had a loss of income, but it was not too bad,” he said.
“Financially we are still there, so we are in a lucky position to get through alright.
“Everyone has missed it.”
The hour-long practice sessions will continue in the current format for the majority of the month until restrictions allow competitions to be held again.
Registered Mount Gambier Gun Club members interested in booking a session can contact Sims at 0409 672 686.
