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General Information / Time Management / Safety

This web site, no-cost "Open House" attendance and/or private appointment/consultations are, by far, the best methods for time management, clear communication and safety for most individuals, especially "first-timers".

Completely reading this page and all other pertinent pages (on left) should be considered "Should Know Information" before visiting DCSA, signing up for a class or a "Freedom Plan".

Denton County Sports Association was incorporated in 1996 for the purpose of fostering, promoting and developing firearms safety and education in the State of Texas. Construction began in early January with Texas Dept. of Public Safety's certification as Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Range in March of 1996.

Since Texas Parks and Wildlife's introduction of a new Hunter Education "Home Study" option in the summer of 1999, DCSA's facilities have also served as an independent "Testing Station" for numerous small "Completion Courses", certifying over 4,000 students, some from as far away as Houston, Minnesota, Montana and California. The Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Home Study Links page is an initial "must read" for prospective hunter ed. students.

The DCSA site was initially selected based upon its largely unrestricted zoning and rural  flavor, yet convenience to many shooters in or near high-growth areas of Denton County. The unique building contains a small classroom/office, a 12' X 30' climate controlled training area and a 2-position indoor range. The range can be well ventilated and features numerous lighting options with electric target carriers out to 50 feet. "Freedom Plan" members have independent access to the range 365 days a year. (See "Home" page for additional photos.) 

DCSA is not geared to sell firearms, focus on ammunition or accessory sales or cater to competitive events. 

Class registration forms are stocked 24 / 7 in white and orange literature boxes in the driveway. The white literature box (near sign pictured below) contains preliminary information for taking a Concealed Handgun License class. As indicated by various course options (links on left), we do not take a "one size fits all" approach for Texas CHL training and certification.

The orange box  is stocked (heavily August thru December) with Hunter Education class schedules/registration forms and literature.

This web site has evolved to contain considerably more comprehensive information than the literature stocked in the boxes in the driveway. Those who take the time to read the information on this web site DO NOT necessarily need to take and read the literature in the driveway, but please do read and observe the signs. (Effective July 11, 2002 the literature in the white box basically instructs all parties to see this web site.)

Registration forms are commonly returned via the black drop box near the exit driveway. (Those using the black drop box are requested to raise the little red arm to indicate that the box needs checking). 

Registration forms can also be returned via mail or during a scheduled or unscheduled "open house". This web site also includes printable registration forms that can be mailed in or hand delivered.

Hunter Education "Home Study" students (and/or parents) with plans for attending a "Completion Course" at DCSA should consider READING all pertinent pages on this web site a part of their "home study" and, if continued interest, are encouraged to use the printable snail mail form as a convenient option to pre-register. At the same time, parents of  all students under 18 years of age are encouraged to print out, complete the required "Child Liability Release/Associate Membership Info. Form" and return to DCSA before a scheduled class. Parents of students under 15 years of age should make plans as more completely described on Hunter Ed. web page (see link on left).

All other types of students (non-hunter ed.) should read any applicable pages on this web site, then click on "Mail-in Registration Form". During the first portion of all scheduled classes, all participants will be required to complete DCSA's safety orientation check list. Those 18 and older will be required to complete an Adult Liability Release/Associate Membership Info. form. Those under 18, if not done previously, will be required to have a parent or legal guardian present to complete Child Liability Release/Associate Membership Info. form.

While DCSA maintains no "standard office hours" whatsoever, the office phone is commonly kept on call forwarding to a CELL phone. Particularly "Hunter Ed. Desperados" are advised not to call to ask "how many slots are still available?", etc. because the phone above is NOT necessarily going to be answered by someone with current access to class registration files. Your call may, in fact, may possibly be answered  while driving in D/FW traffic - or while on a mountainside in Colorado. The line does have a voice mail box and calls are returned as soon as practical, but that can sometimes take several hours or, infrequently, days.

Regardless of age, hunter ed. "HOME STUDY" students SHOULD NOT call the 940 phone number with the explanation that you "do not have time to read" .  because you will likely be told that IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME TO READ, WE DO NOT HAVE TIME TO RECITE all that you may need to know - especially while on a cell phone!!!  With that said, the number for the DCSA office/cell phone is 940-241-2376.

In general, HANDGUNS up to .44 Mag./.45 Long Colt and .22 RIMFIRE RIFLES are OK INSIDE ONLY. Unless specifically authorized in advance by an instructor or range officer, ALL FIREARMS should be CONCEALED in some type of carrier and REMAIN CONCEALED until arrival in one of the two shooting stalls, sometimes referred to as "hot boxes" (pictured below). During DCSA orientations, new members will be more thoroughly advised of  extreme gun handling restrictions outside, in the classroom and in the rear portion of the firing room.

Individuals who do not yet have a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) should plan to ARRIVE at DCSA with UNLOADED handguns only. Unless directed otherwise,  DO NOT PLAN TO LOAD, UNLOAD or do any type of gun handling except inside one of the shooting stalls.

Law Enforcement Officers and individuals who do have a Concealed Handgun License may arrive with and carry loaded handguns - provided they remain CONTINUOUSLY HOLSTERED and/or CONCEALED until inside the range and actually on the carpet in a "hot box".

CENTERFIRE rifles and shotguns are either strictly prohibited or highly restricted. (Specifically; no, DCSA is not an option for sighting in a centerfire rifle or patterning a shotgun.  See local yellow pages for outdoor Gun Ranges or archery practice needs.)

While "long guns" may be handled outdoors in some Hunter Ed. scenarios, no shooting is permitted except while in 1 of the 2 indoor firing positions.

 In summation, the only actual outdoor shooting acceptable at DCSA is with a camera!

Commonly acceptable at DCSA are handguns in calibers such as .22, .32, .380, .38, 9mm, .357 Mag., .357 Sig,, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .44 Mag. and .45 Long Colt.  Maximum barrel length (10") or maximum velocity (1700 fps) restrictions eliminate use of some handguns such as Thompson Contenders.

Reloaded ammunition is NOT permissible in any class related to CHL course shooting practice or testing. Freedom Plan members shooting independently are welcome to shoot reloads - at their own risk. 

Full autos such as MP-5s are not permissible, even by peace officers. However, some citizens' "Freedom Plan" use of certain federally-papered suppressed firearms is possible after they have been individually evaluated and approved by rangemaster. Draw and fire practice and controlled rapid fire are acceptable under conditions more completely described on Freedom Plan pages. If of interest to CHL people and LEOs, the DCSA range is also set up to facilitate private practice under low light conditions in the firing room and/or downrange.

All participants are required to complete DCSA's safety orientation checklist and liability release, either during the first hour of a class or by individual appointment. Everyone must either be taking a training class at DCSA at the time OR provide written proof that they have completed an approved course elsewhere before being permitted to handle a firearm in the range. 

"Freedom Plan" members are not allowed to bring "guests" to the range, whether handling a firearm or not.  "Guests" (such as friends of family), however, are quite welcome to enter and participate during a Freedom Plan Member's hours if the "guest" has previously completed the requirements in the first two sentences of this paragraph.

 "Approved proof of prior training" for citizens (if taken elsewhere) include (1) a Concealed Handgun License or "Certificate of Training" from Texas or another state*, (2) a Hunter Education Course certification from Texas or another state (3) a certificate from an NRA Certified Instructor on a (a) Personal Protection, (b) Rifle, (c) Pistol course (including 1'st Steps) or (d) a 6-hour "101"  class at DCSA.  Law Enforcement Officers can provide current department i.d. card. Former Law Enforcement Officers must provide "letter of good standing" from last department. *Utah license NOT acceptable for Texas residents.

Due to many variances in quantity and quality over decades, current or past military service is not acceptable "proof of training", so please don't ask, elaborate, snivel or whine.  If serious interest in shooting at DCSA, please re-read the first sentence in the prior paragraph and/or see pricing at "Private Services" page (on left index).

If desired, students are welcome (and encouraged) to bring a sack lunch, thermos, small ice chest, soft drinks, and/or bottled water, etc. to classes. Eating is often practical during some short videos, but breaks in some classes are not of sufficient length to be leaving the premises. Smoking is permitted outside only - away from anyone who might be offended by hanging or drifting smoke. Dipping and chewing products are allowed as long as users keep a lid on all "containers" when not being used (you spill it, you clean it up!). Pagers and cell phones should be placed in a "silent" mode and used during breaks only.

Shooters of semi-automatic handguns or .22 rimfire rifles should not plan to shoot while wearing sandals or halter tops! To reduce the possibility of hot brass lodging in undesirable locations, long sleeve shirts (with top button used), baseball caps and/or socks are recommended. Hunter Education students (and parents) should see applicable page for seasonal clothing suggestions.

Over the past decade, a very broad range of individuals have become DCSA Associate Members . Hundreds of people have taken the CHL course simply to be able to comfortably carry a handgun in their vehicle, while others have obtained the CHL in order carry a handgun on their person all day every day. As of June 2007, up to $50,000 of self defense insurance is available to our Texas CHL Freedom Plan members. Some individuals who have completed the CHL course simply for the knowledge and certificate needed to shoot at DCSA. Others, because of strong feelings regarding the 2'nd Amendment and/or privacy, have taken the course, but not applied to the State for the license. Some, who may not never choose to go hunting, have taken the (now most convenient) Hunter Education Home Study Course simply to be able to punch paper at DCSA with a .22 rifle. 

Feedback from many members indicates that they opt for a "Freedom Plan"   because they like the fact that, compared to public ranges, DCSA does have have rather stringent requirements. Our policies, in fact, encourage those who resist certified firearms training to stay away - in droves.

So, to make it quite clear before you ever come out, "Yes, we may very well have more rules than The Galleria has bleach blondes.  Learn 'em, like 'em, or leave!". If further interest, in addition to this page, please consider, AT MINIMUM, the following pages to be "REQUIRED READING": "Directions to DCSA" and "Facilities and Class Fees".

The "Open House" page typically includes no charge opportunities, especially from late summer through early winter, for an instructor/range officer to focus on individual needs and/or answer questions that are not available on this web site.

In conclusion, DCSA's primary focus is on small and comfortable classes, with affordable independent practice options and self defense insurance available for our core group of "certified good guys" (and girls!).

To continue, please click on at least the two links below for more "Should Know Info." and HEADINGS ON THE LEFT for details on topics of specific interest. 

Thank you.

Facilities and Class Fees      

Directions to DCSA (and "Nice to Know" local traffic info.)

return to main: www.dentoncountysports.com