Year end membership drive...
Our membership drive has gone way better than we could have hoped for with 57 new members. Lee and David are working double-time to get all the Range Safety Orientations done. The outline for the orientation is posted on this web site. Couldn’t hurt to review it when you get a chance. All members you see around you when you are at the range have had this orientation. It helps everyone know the words and sing from the same sheet of music. This makes it a safer place for you to bring your friends and family to enjoy your firearms.
By growing our membership base, the range is able to maintain and improve what is already a really great place to shoot. With more members, rates stay low and the bills get paid. Membership rates will remain unchanged for 2023, largely in part due to the growth of our membership base.
A membership to the FOP Range is a gift that will last the whole year. We all know someone in our family who has firearms but never seems to go shoot. Change that. Set them up with a great place to enjoy those firearms. It makes a perfect gift for yourself as well.
Why is the range holding this membership drive?
In 2019, the range had almost 1500 members. By the end of 2020, that number was 340. Covid had forced businesses to change the way they operate to control social distancing and we had to limit range use to one at a time and implement a reservation system. Ammo became unobtainable and stupid expensive. With those conditions, not maintaining your membership was an easy choice for most. They let their memberships go. Many really good ranges around the country were killed by covid. Sheepdog firearms in Trussville is our local example. Things are getting better. Ammo prices are coming down and availability is going up. The stupid covid social distancing enforcement by the Jefferson County Health Dept. ended. We are working hard to get back to normal.
The FOP Range survived and needs members. Dues from members pay the four big “L’s”: lease, lights, labor, and liability insurance. Volume also lets us keep our prices super low. This sale lets in a pile of new guys at much reduced rates so existing member’s rates do not have to go up to make ends meet. 98% renew the next year.
Accepting new members now!
We are accepting new members. If you have ever thought about wanting a place nearby where you can enjoy your firearms with family and friends, we have what you need. Our membership rates are explained below. No other range offers its members what we provide for all our members. The range is staffed, well maintained, safely administered, spans 10 acres with tons of room over 7 ranges, unique with steel plate ranges, open 362 days a year, and cheap. I've spent more on a dinner out than a year's membership here costs. Once you figure out which membership best fits your needs, go to the JOIN HERE page to complete the process.
Recurring Payments...
Its easy to join and is only done from this web site. All memberships are automatically recurring billing. You can go with either a single annual payment every year or make even less expensive monthly payments. It rocks on until you decide to quit. You will get an email from us advising you of your upcoming payment a few days before it is to be collected. You maintain complete control over your payments. We use MoonClerk for membership processing along with over 8000 other membership businesses, mostly gyms, and it is secure, works well, and is easy to use. We will contact you after you join for your range safety briefing, share instructions for range use, and answer any questions that you have.
Call us at 205-744-2600 is you have any problems or questions.
01
Trial Membership
This plan costs $15. With this plan, the member has use of the Main Range for 30 days with a range use fee of only $10 per day. It is a way to get in to shoot for a month. Its good for a month from the date you joined. You can test the water before jumping in. Note... the Main Range is a nice wide range well set up for target shooting with handguns and rifles. The fun stuff (steel plates) are on the other ranges and require a membership plan below to have access.
02
Single Annual Membership Tier 1
This plan costs $150 a year and has a first year initiation fee of $50 to get it started. With this plan, the member has use of the entire facility 7 days a week and a range use fee of only $10. He may also bring as many guests as needed for $20 per guest.
Single Monthly Membership Tier 1
This plan is $15 per month with a $50 setup / processing fee. The $50 fee is assessed when you check out and the first payment isn't due until the first day of the next month. It is a recurring payment that comes out on the first day of each month while you are a member. It runs for a minimum of 12 months before becoming a month to month basis which can be cancelled at any time. Cancelling prior to the first 12 months elapsing shall incur an early termination fee equal to 50% of the remainder of the monthly payments remaining. Like all Tier 1 memberships, there is a $10 per use range fee.
Single Annual Membership Tier 2
This plan costs $250 a year and has a first year initiation fee of $50 to get it started. With this plan, the member has use of the entire facility 7 days a week and no range use fees. Come shoot all you want. He may also bring guests as needed for $20 per guest.
Single Monthly Membership Tier 2
This plan is $22 per month with a $50 setup / processing fee. The $50 fee is assessed when you check out and the first payment isn't due until the first day of the next month. It is a recurring payment that comes out on the first day of each month while you are a member. It runs for a minimum of 12 months before becoming a month to month basis which can be cancelled at any time. Cancelling prior to the first 12 months elapsing shall incur an early termination fee equal to 50% of the remainder of the monthly payments remaining. Like all Tier 2 members, there is a no per use range fee.
03
Full Annual Membership Tier 1
This plan costs $200 a year and has a first year initiation fee of $50 to get it started. With this plan, the member has use of the entire facility 7 days a week and a range use fee of only $10 each time he uses the range. He may bring his immediate family with him (spouse and kids). And yes, your spouse may use the membership to the range without your help. Both of you can come to the range any time you want and bring guests. Each of you will need to complete a membership agreement and get a range safety orientation before using the facility.
Full Monthly Membership Tier 1
This plan is $20 per month with a $50 setup / processing fee. The $50 fee is assessed when you check out and the first payment isn't due until the first day of the next month. It is a recurring payment that comes out on the first day of each month while you are a member. It runs for a minimum of 12 months before becoming a month to month basis which can be cancelled at any time. Cancelling prior to the first 12 months elapsing shall incur an early termination fee equal to 50% of the remainder of the monthly payments remaining. Like all Tier 1 memberships, there is a $10 per use range fee.
Full Annual Membership Tier 2
This plan costs $300 a year and has a first year initiation fee of $50 to get it started. With this plan, the member has use of the entire facility 7 days a week and no range use fees. Come shoot all you want. He may bring his immediate family with him (spouse and kids). And yes, your spouse may use the membership to the range without your help. Both of you can come to the range any time you want and bring guests. Each of you will need to complete a membership agreement and get a range safety orientation before using the facility.
Full Monthly Membership Tier 2
This plan is $25 per month with a $50 setup / processing fee. The $50 fee is assessed when you check out and the first payment isn't due until the first day of the next month. It is a recurring payment that comes out on the first day of each month while you are a member. It runs for a minimum of 12 months before becoming a month to month basis which can be cancelled at any time. Cancelling prior to the first 12 months elapsing shall incur an early termination fee equal to 50% of the remainder of the monthly payments remaining. Like all Tier 2 members, there is a no per use range fee.
04
Limited Annual Membership Tier 1
This plan costs only $100 a year with a first year initiation fee of $50 to get it started and has a $10 range use fee. With this plan, the member may use the range Monday through Thursday. You may bring your immediate family with you (spouse and kids up to the age). And yes, your spouse may use the range without your help. Both of you can come to the range any time you want and bring guests. Each of you will need to complete a membership agreement and attend a range safety orientation before using the facility. Use of the facility on Friday, Saturday or Sunday will be restricted to the Main range and incur the daily $25 per person use fee. This membership is intended to help retirees or those of us with screwed up off days save some money and get use of the range during the week when it is not as busy.
Limited Monthly Membership Tier 1
This plan is $11 per month with a $50 setup / processing fee. The $50 fee is assessed when you check out and the first payment isn't due until the first day of the next month. It is a recurring payment that comes out on the first day of each month while you are a member. It runs for a minimum of 12 months before becoming a month to month basis which can be cancelled at any time. Cancelling prior to the first 12 months elapsing shall incur an early termination fee equal to 50% of the remainder of the monthly payments remaining. With this plan, the member may use the range Monday through Thursday. Like all Tier 1 memberships, there is a $10 per use range fee.
Limited Annual Membership Tier 2
This plan costs only $200 a year with a first year initiation fee of $50 to get it started and has a no range use fee for weekday range use. With this plan, the member may use the range Monday through Thursday. You may bring your immediate family with you (spouse and kids). And yes, your spouse may use the range without your help. Both of you can come to the range any time you want and bring guests. Each of you will need to complete a membership agreement and attend a range safety orientation before using the facility. Use of the facility on Friday, Saturday or Sunday will be restricted to the Main range and incur the daily $25 per person use fee. This membership is intended to help retirees or those of us with screwed up off days save some money and get use of the range during the week when it is not as busy.
Limited Monthly Membership Tier 2
This plan is $18 per month with a $50 setup / processing fee. The $50 fee is assessed when you check out and the first payment isn't due until the first day of the next month. It is a recurring payment that comes out on the first day of each month while you are a member. It runs for a minimum of 12 months before becoming a month to month basis which can be cancelled at any time. Cancelling prior to the first 12 months elapsing shall incur an early termination fee equal to 50% of the remainder of the monthly payments remaining. With this plan, the member may use the range Monday through Thursday. Like all Tier 2 members, there is a no per use range fee.
05
Civil Service
We have always had a discount for Police Officers. Why not honor all civil servants with a discount. If you are active or retired Law Enforcement, Fire Fighter or Active Military, you get the discount on joining the range. All we need is some form of ID acknowledging you as such. The $50 first year initiation fee to get the annual membership started is waived. Call the range at 205-744-2600 to verify your qualifying and get the discount code to use at checkout to get your deal.
06
Membership Requirements
The requirements for range use or membership are:
-
having a valid driver's license or ID,
-
having a pistol permit or be able to get a pistol permit (no crimes of violence or felonies in your criminal history that would prevent you from legally possessing a firearm)
-
be of age to purchase a pistol or pistol ammo (be at least 21 years old).
-
Fill out a membership agreement, agreeing to abide by safety rules while on the range.
-
participate in a range safety orientation.
FOP Range Inc. Guest Policy
Members may bring guests with them to the range. The guest fee is $20 per guest. Guests must execute a liability waiver before getting range access. Guests must physically stay with the member while on the facility. The member is responsible for ensuring the members of his party abide by the range safety rules. The only limit on the number of guests allowed per visit is the space available on the range. Compare our guest policy to all the other ranges. No limits here. Limits everywhere else.
FAQ...
What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 memberships?
Tier 1 memberships cost less than a Tier 2 but have a $10 per use range fee. Tier 2 have no range use fees.
What is the initiation / startup fee and what is it for?
In 1996, the initiation fee to join was $50. Still is. There are a few fees we pay associated with the Moonclerk billing system and this fee offsets our costs. Part of it is used to reward range staff who promote the business and assist patrons with information about joining. Its a sales bonus to the guys who work here for very little. And... our $50 initiation fee is a third to half what all the other ranges are charging.
When does my membership I just bought start?
It is valid the minute you checked out. Range use can begin immediately. You can join using your smart phone from our parking lot and go shooting. However, range use is restricted to the use of the Main Range under some supervision until the member completes the Range Safety Orientation. Once the Range Safety Orientation is done, the member has use of the full facility.
What is involved in the Range Safety Orientation?
Once you have checked out and joined, follow that up with a call to the range to schedule your range safety orientation. We try to make those happen at off peak hours during the week as the facility is busier weekends and the Range Officer on duty may be the only one there. Once scheduled, our Senior Range Safety Officer will call you and have a conversation with you. He will cover the range rules, range procedures such as changing ranges, checking in and out, handling firearm transfers, and answer all your questions. This takes normally 10 to 15 minutes. Once you complete the orientation, he activates your use of the full facility.
Can I join for just a month or a time shorter than a full year?
All Single, Full, and Limited memberships are annual memberships. A monthly payment system is available to spread the cost of your membership out over the whole year. Monthly membership means you are a monthly paying member. It is not intended for use as a short term membership. There is an early termination fee of half the remaining cost of your membership if you choose to terminate before a year. After the first year, it is considered a month to month basis and you may terminate at any time without penalty. Short term membership is available as a Trial Member but they are restricted to using only the Main Range under supervision. Trial members do not get the personalized range safety orientation the annual members get.
I have the Full or Limited membership and want to bring my 25 year old son or daughter to shoot. Are they included on my membership?
Yes. You may bring your adult offspring to the range under your Full or Limited membership plan. They must have you with them to shoot and anyone else, brother, dad, uncle, etc. may shoot as your guest and will incur the $20 guest fee. If your adult offspring wants to shoot here without you, they will need to get their own membership.
I joined and was only charged the initiation fee. When is the rest collected by the range?
The initiation fee is the only fee collected at checkout. All dues payments are collected on the first day of the month following the date you joined. Example: join on the 3rd, $50 is paid at checkout, use the range starting from the moment you checked out. On the 1st of the following month, the dues payment (either annual or monthly) is completed as part of a batch consisting of all the other guys who owe. The range only processes the batch on the first day of each month.
I need to sight in my rifle and can only get to the range 30 minutes before you close. Can I still shoot?
We need all range users to be signed in at least an hour before closing. Much of the year, its dark at closing. During summer, we are open until 7 and winter until 5. Range users need light to see holes in paper and to see brass on the ground. Range staff needs light to see to clean up and secure the facility at closing. We need everyone done and ready to leave at closing. With this in mind, no one may check into the range less than an hour before closing.
Lessons learned from our COVID-19 experience...
We don't charge enough for our memberships. Really. The Tier One (old membership rate) rates above are the same as they were in 1996. Shop it around. Look at what you will pay for a single membership at any of the other gun ranges in the area. We charge a third of what they get and our facility is superior in many ways. Something has to change. We have to charge more. Access to this range is worth more than we are charging.
How long will this last? Looks to me like COVID-19 is going to be part of our lives for the foreseeable future. Until a vaccine has eliminated the threat of death to our elderly loved ones, nothing regarding social distancing will change. It is here to stay. Whether a cure is found or not is kind of irrelevant. We are too cheap. When filling the Main Range with by the day paying people became impossible, we found ourselves in a very bad spot. I applied for a PPP loan through my bank on the first day it was available and got it a month later. It will help offset the losses we are now enjoying. Changes had to be made. I created a tiered membership system that is as fair as I can make it to all. Rates have to go up. This is how we get there.
Commercial use...
Commercial use of the facility for conducting training classes is possible here. We have several individuals who offer training services who have satisfied the few requirements we have; active certification as an instructor, insurance covering your training activities naming the FOP Range Inc as an "also insured", and a business license with the State for the operation of your training business.
Commercial guard companies needing to conduct firearms training and certification to comply with the State's requirements can do so. We only need to know that you will have a Trainer II conducting your training activities. Range use is on a first come basis so call when you have a date to grab that date here for your class. See the training range page here.
Any other commercial purpose use is possible and will be evaluated by range management before being permitted on a case by case basis. We have had film crews and actors who are shooting a movie somewhere in Birmingham that needed a place to familiarize the talent with the guns they are to be using for the movie. We have had product testing done here for ballistic panels manufactured locally as well as ammunition testing by local commercial ammunition manufacturers.
If it can be done safely, doesn't cast a bad light on the shooting sports, and doesn't expose the facility to undue liability, then it may be possible to do it here. The rates are very reasonable. Call.