General Info. "Required Reading" FOR ALL FIRST-TIME WEB SITE VISITORS/PARTTCIPANTS
Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Study Links
Open House/Orientation Schedule/Appointments
Flower Mound Community Activity Center Classes
Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Courses
Registration Form for All Non-Hunter Ed. Classes
Private Sessions for Inexperienced Shooters
Freedom Plans
Effective June of 2007, as opposed to using paperwork-intensive methods of issuing Freedom Plans for independent practice privileges, the following 6 pages are being made "Required Reading" for all new and renewing Freedom Plan members. Each participant is required to complete a liability release at least once per year and sign off on having read at least the the following:
"Home" page at www.dentoncountysports.com
Freedom Plans and new Self Defense Insurance (this page)
Freedom Plan Rules & Procedures
After reading all of the pages above, the "walk through" and affiliated paperwork for new members can typically be completed per Open House/Orientations page.
Independent Practice Options
DCSA's "Freedom Plans" are geared primarily for CHL (Concealed Hangun License) people, Federal Flight Deck Officers (pilots) and other various types of Law Enforcement Officers who want to independently stay "tuned up" with their handguns. Freedom Plans can also be used for "recreational shooters" to come and go 365 days per year to practice with .22 rimfire rifles and air guns.
We take the position that if trained and licensed citizens are responsible enough to be able to carry loaded handguns around in vehicles, restaurants, shopping malls, etc., they are also be responsible enough to be able to practice independently in a controlled environment. At the same time, we emphasize that those who do carry a handgun in public (whether in a vehicle or on-person) have a responsibility to themselves and to society to be confident that the handgun is 100% reliable and that the operator is proficient under stress. (Yes, we do allow controlled rapid fire and non-politically-correct silhouette targets.)
New Self Defense Insurance Coverage:
Brief Background: Although most people never read the fine print, the "Personal Liability" portion of typical homeowners insurance policies - and even many "umbrella" policies - generally have exclusions for "intentional acts". As such, in the rare event of having dealt with Problem #1 (the criminal) via their handgun, CHL people can be in for a very rude awakening in having to deal with Problem #2 (the defense, criminal and/or civil).
In conjunction with a special NRA-endoresed insurance policy, each of DCSA's five Freedom Plan levels now includes liability insurance coverage for members with a current Freedom Plan and a current Texas Concealed Handgun License on file.
Subject to a few limitations and exclusions, the policy gives such Freedom Plan members up to $50,000 of coverage if they have to use their handgun in lawful self defense. It can pay reimbursement for criminal defense, and/or civil defense, but in the civil defense, it is only if they are not found guilty of a crime. If there is money left over after a civil defense and the case is lost, that money can go to damage awards. A copy of the endorsement is available for review in the office or in the green 3-ring notebook in the foyer.
New or renewing Freedom Plan members can choose from one of the five levels below. The first level ($100.00) is intended primarily for those who may live some distance away with infrequent opportunities to shoot at DCSA, but who want the "peace of mind" of the self defense insurance. Subsequent levels also include the self defense insurance for the first CHL holder and are geared for those who want to practice more frequently - and for less cost per session.
The pricing below is available to those who have a current Freedom Plan OR who have completed a DCSA orientation, liability release and paid the $31.88 fee within the past twelve months.
Members who allow a Freedom Plan to lapse should be prepared to "start over" by completing another 1-hour safety orientation (see Open House page for scheduling) and paying the $31.88 fee as shown on Facilities and Class Fees page.
* Freedom Plan Options:
Up to 4 1-hour shooting sessions in year: $100 (with tax: $106.25)
Up to 12 1-hour shooting sessions in year: $150 (with tax: $159.38)
Up to 24 1-hour shooting sessions in year: $225 (with tax: $239.06)
Up to 36 1-hour shooting sessions in year: $300 (with tax: $318.75)
Up to 54 1-hour shooting sessions in year: $400 (with tax: $425.00)
* Shooting sessions are on "the honor system", assuming a approximately one hour or less each visit and so dated on time block on back of membership card. Examples: No "12 hour plan" for solo members with 24 30-minute sessions. Or, if a solo member shoots for approximately two hours during a particular session, he/she so notes the date in two time blocks on back of membership card.
Additional CHL holders in the same household (same address on CHLs) may be added to the primary member's Freedom Plan for $50 (+ 3.13 tax) per year, including the self defense insurance. Such couples may select a 12X plan and practice for approximately 30 minutes each 12 times in their year (assuming sharing the same stall if someone else happens to need to use the range at the same time). Other family members (with the same address on ID) may be added to a Freedom Plan for $25 (plus $1.56 tax) per person per year if and only if additional person(s) has completed an approved class and has current membership paperwork on file. Each participant is required to sign off on having read at least the 6 pages above.
Local friends or family members (different households) who want to shoot together may share Freedom Plan hours provided that each household has at least a 4X Freedom Plan of their own.
GUESTS" ARE NOT ALLOWED except as follows: Long-time DCSA members who now have extended family (former DCSA members) desiring to shoot when back in the area visiting should send e-mail well in advance to dcsa1996@yahoo.com for possible arrangements on renewed shooting privileges and/or the self defense insurance.
Hours, by e-mail reservation well in advance or most commonly on a "drop in" basis, are from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 7 days a week. Effective July 15, 2008, "early riser" members can request permission to enter as early as 5:00 a.m. Such approval will be contingent upon avoiding extremely high decibel loads (.357 Mag, .357 Sig. and .44 Mag.) during the early morning hours.
Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) with jurisdictions in the Metroplex have access 24 hours a day (with request to avoid the calibers mentioned above during the early morning hours: .38s, 9mm, .40, .45 are OK; the 3 calibers above only if practice needed with "duty loads".)
LEOs shoot at no additional cost from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. for up to as many hours as included in their selected 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. level. Example: Purchasing 12X plan gets additional 12 sessions free from 10 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
New individuals who opt for a Freedom Plan just after completing a class at DCSA will have already paid $31.88 for the initial DCSA orientation/facility use and thereafter pay only the fees above. New individuals who completed a class elsewhere must complete the initial DCSA orientation and pay the $31.88 before being eligible for a Freedom Plan. pricing above.
New "Freedom Plan" members must comply with
(1) DCSA's written "proof of training" requirements,
(2) have completed an initial orientation checklist and
(3) complete a specific Freedom Plan "walk through" before being able to come and go independently. For more specific details, see Freedom Plan Rules & Procedures.
Acceptable firearms include most handguns up though .44 Magnum/.45 Long Colt and .22 rimfire rifles only. (See "General Info." web page for more details.)
While "Hunter Skills" Instructors may sometimes bring them for simulations, DCSA facilities are not geared for indoor or outdoor firing of centerfire rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders or archery. While many Freedom Plan members bring their own targets, some are available in range foyer (for purchase on "honor system").
Non-members who already have acceptable written "proof of training" from elsewhere and who would like to obtain a DCSA Freedom Plan, should contact Lonnie Ward at dcsa1996@yahoo.com or 940-241-2376. In general, he may (1) integrate you with a scheduled class' orientation (see below) or (2) set up a specific time that is more mutually convenient (see copy immediately following "Open House" schedule).
Typically, especially in the fall, schedules at DCSA may be quite conducive to most qualified individuals (1) attending a scheduled "Open House", (2) sitting (or sometimes standing) in on the 60 minutes of a DCSA (Hunter Ed.) class (includes initial orientation and paperwork), and (3) subsequently completing paperwork. Individuals who obtained their "acceptable proof of training" elsewhere should remember to bring an original or clean photocopy copy. (Ideally, arrive early at a scheduled open house and you might be able to get started quickly on the walk-through and paperwork above. Thereafter, if desired, new Freedom Plan initiates may very possibly begin shooting for the same day.
Unless you have a CHL, upon arrival, you should plan on leaving firearms and ammunition locked in your vehicle. In any event, any and all of your guns should remain CONCEALED in a carrier until on the firing line.
Freedom Plan members bring their own targets (see http://www.sportshooter.com/improving/targetgallery.htm for some nifty printable options) or can purchase various targets on site.
The target above and other Silhouette Targets (pictured below and more at bottom of Retail Sales page) are still typically stocked in footlockers in the firing room and are available on "the honor system". A numbered photographic "legend" in foyer corresponds with (numbered) rolled targets typically stocked in the footlockers under the benches at the firing line. As of mid-July 2008, some of the colored targets pictured below may or may not be in stock (as some are no longer available).
Single or dual target carriers accommodate large or small targets.
With either type of target carrier, be sure to place the target carriers with the open portion of the "V" facing the firing line.
If you can see the clips, you have it backwards and, if hit, can damage the target carrier and/or catch a ricochet or backsplash.
Standard distances with optimized lighting are at 3 yards, 7 yards, 11 yards, 15 yards and 50 feet.
All actual gun handling (including unpacking and repacking) to be performed only
while inside a shooting stall - not in rear portion of firing room!
Paper plates (for placement with thumbtacks on cardboard backers) are popular targets brought by many CHL shooters.
Storage area (above) for coats, range bags, etc., although actual gun handling in this area is against range rules. Proper procedure: Take range bag into shooting stall to unpack and repack. Avoid any gun handling, especially loading or unloading behind someone's back!
While most Freedom Plan members bring their own eye and ear protection, if needed, pairs are kept along the wall near air conditioner vent. Freedom Plan members are also encouraged to bring their own cardboard backers - since those typically available in the firing room are often very well perforated!
Kids, provided they meet training requirements described on "General Info." page, are welcome to join parents in "Freedom Plan" shooting sessions.
Link to: Freedom Plan Rules & Procedures
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