There are many causes for the decline in active shooters today. Some, of course, are because of the laws and the general not-so-good opinion of the public, but loss of appropriate places to shoot is increasingly a large contributing factor.

This lack of places to shoot has been a concern of mine for several years. In fact I was reading the March-April 1987 issue of Rifle magazine, featuring an article on Alice Bull. Alice Bull was the first female to place in the President's Match, 3rd place in 1936. She also was the first female to receive her Distinguished Rifleman Badge, 1961. She shot these with a Match 1903 Springfield and later a Garand. She worked hard for all her medals and match wins. Remember this is 1987, and she stated that loss of ranges was a concern then also. Ranges were being turned into other uses, some sold outright and some being encroached upon by development and the issue not being fought.

A possible solution came to my mind. I visualize a WSSA owned range. This would be a scaled down range on par with the Whittington Center in New Mexico. The land would be owned by the Association, with someone or a couple who live on the premises.

Of course we would start with a 1,000 yd. rifle range, pits, communications, a range club house. Pistol ranges would be added and whatever else members would be interested in building. These could be cowboy action type ranges, shotgun, silhouette and whatever else. The funds would come from a dedicated fund, through donations, yearly membership to the range, or bequeats in wills. The fund would stay in the WSSA as a separate line, and when enough was acquired the land would be bought, and the dirt work would start. I see the range membership benefits including camping to immediate families at any time. There would be water, septic and maybe power available.

This fund would accumulate until there was enough money to buy the land and build the rifle range. If in a certain amount of time, say 5 years, this is not accomplished, the money would be refunded to each person, plus with whatever interest earned.

If anyone is interested in this, or sees a future, please let me know. It would help to bounce some ideas off of others.

REMEMBER: MAY 14TH, ANNUAL MEETING. 9:00 AT THE PARKWAY PLAZA, CASPER. Would love to see and talk with you. This is your Association, help us make it better.