You are right about the amount of money required to belong to a range. The pistol range where I work is less than $150.00 for a years membership, which provide unlimited range access. There is a local outdoor range in the area, very nice, and membership dues are only $100.00 per year.
I do think that government should be in the business of promoting marksmanship, as it is a guarantor against tyranny. The DCM/CMP is the only government agency I can think of whose size and budget I would like to see increase, other than the military, of course. As Jeff Cooper noted, "A citizenry armed with rifles cannot be tyrannized."
Cowboy, I don't mind little lines and such, but people waving around loaded firearms with thier finger on the trigger, because they cannot be bothered to think about what they are doing is a different story. I get "swept" with a loaded handgun with someones finger on the trigger at least once a week.
It is pretty rare that we ever boot anyone, but it does happen. Most folks are willing try to change when you point out to them just how dangerously they are behaving.
I am not so much a stickler for range rules, but I do insist that the Four Rules of Safe Gun Handling be adhered to. I don't need any extra orifices.
Stay Safe
I've read enough of your posts, LS, to know you're not guilty of being one of those ranger officers who thinks they're a god dispensing justice on the firing line.
Let me give you an example:
A couple decides to spend Sunday afternoon at the firing range because a friend told them it was fun.
She takes the .38 snubnose she bought for home protection which she's never fired, and he takes that 30.06 his uncle gave him twenty years ago.
Now, I know and you know that they should take a safety course before they go, but nine out of ten people learn safety at the range as they go along.
When they approach the firing line they see a multitude of signs of "do's and don't's".
"HEARING AND EYE PROTECTION WILL BE WORN AT ALL TIMES!"
"ALL BOLTS WILL BE OPENED AND CHAMBERS EMPTY EXCEPT ON THE FIRING LINE!"
"KEEP WEAPONS POINTED DOWNRANGE AT ALL TIMES!"
"NON SHOOTERS ARE NOT PERMITTED BEYOND THE WHITE LINE WHEN THE FIRING LINE IS HOT!"
"ETC, ETC".
Now, they've been nervous all day thinking about coming out here.
They start trying to assimilate all the rules, and the nervous tension increases considerably.
Right here the range officer can make it or break it.
If he is helpful and courteous he can ease the tension and add a couple of shooters to help our cause.
If he comes across like a DI in bootcamp, he makes the situation worse, and the couple are terrified before they even fire the first round.
More than likely, they'll put their weapons back in their car and never come back.
They'll tell their friends, "I don't shoot. I hate guns!", and we'll have two more gun grabbers to fight for our Second Amendment rights.
I talk gun talk to people every day.
I'm always surprised when someone, usually women, will say, "I don't like guns".
If I can get them to trace it back, they've had a bad experience with guns so they're an enemy forever.
They don't understand guns, and they don't understand people who like guns.
Those are the people we need to reach, and your job at the range is the perfect place to win converts.
I admire you for your courage (yep, it takes courage!) and your dedication to shooting.
I'm always leery about government support for anything, and shooting is no different.
With support comes control, and we have way more than enough of that.