Suncoast Gun Club

Introduction

In an article featured on the front page of the Sunday Herald-Tribune, Journalist Laura Green identifies a national crisis befalling our nation’s young Americans. She quotes Jack Bovee, former president of Florida’s Association of Social Studies Supervisors, who points out, “There is a crisis out there. We’ve lost the second generation of young Americans who don’t know a lot of our country ….. and nobody cares.” She further quotes Charlotte County Schools Curriculum Specialist of Social Studies Frances Holleram (whom sums it up best) who states “To have a well-rounded education and to have students who understands what it is to be a citizen, they need to know their place in history. They need to know their rights.” Laura Green cites critics as pointing out our nation’s “unique formation.”

As Founder and Chief Instructor, I believe our founding documents and the subjects and principles contained within them to be the clear and obvious reason the formation of America happened, and why we still exist today. I am also firmly convinced that when you fundamentally change the core elements of what caused or created a specific thing, you undermine what allowed it to occur in the first place and jeopardize its further continuance and perpetualization. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are all key core elements, the creation of which allowed America to be formed from a collection of ideas. Take away those ideas, either all at once, or insidiously one by one, and we risk losing everything which so many gave their lives to create. The First Amendment, the right to free speech, has been slowly, but surely, eaten away in our schools. One can hardly speak of God, religion, and numerous other subjects without reprisal or expulsion. No one feels this more than I when I read about, and watch on national television, a teacher whose job is in jeopardy for teaching from the Declaration of Independence, which repeatedly contains the word God. This tragedy and travesty is unfolding in my home town of Cupertino, filmed in the Flint Center College Auditorium, where I have attended. Without much debate, the First and Second Amendment contained in our Bill of Rights are most special and unique when compared to any other modern society. Few other countries on earth guarantee in writing their citizen’s right to say what he or she wishes, even when he or she is critical of the government, and the right of its citizens to keep and bear arms without infringement. Certainly, it can be argued that if it were not for our forefathers’ possession of, and proficiency with, firearms this unique nation might well not even exist. Our nation’s history is uniquely tied to firearms, their invention, design progression, possession, and rightly so their preservation. Our young Americans need to know their complete and truthful history pertaining to the continuing formation of this great country and their complete rights as guaranteed them, before they lose those rights never knowing they had them.

Goals

Just as with any other piece of machinery in our society; automobiles, computers, etc., unfamiliarity and misuse can be harmful and sometimes even fatal. Boys and girls may not have a computer at home, but are likely to encounter such tools at a friend’s house or other venue. Even with parental blocks on a home computer, proper understanding and safe handling when not at home will help reduce the risk of exposure to the wrong element, or child predators, when away from home. Vehicles are safe when used properly, but even if a boy or girl does not have their own yet, he or she will probably be riding with friends and others and need to be familiar, if not proficient, with it’s safe use and proper operation. Other potential inherent dangers should be taught; such as recognizing misuse of an otherwise safe vehicle. Failing to use seat belts, keeping hands and arms in vehicles, potentially intoxicated or overly tired drivers, driving too fast for conditions, overly crowded vehicle or riding in the box of a truck, are all subtle dangers of an otherwise safe tool when used properly.

Firearms will be encountered by our children in their lifetime; while visiting a friend’s house whose parent(s) are security guards, police, hunters, collectors, etc. Proper understanding of these “tools of the trade,” their use, proper handling and basic safety are paramount to keeping our children safe, educated and aware of what to do when encountering or using these tools. Just like any other tool, firearms are safe when the people using them or encountering them know what is and is not safe, proper handling; whether in their hands or someone else’s.

Curriculum

 

  • Instruction in safety, responsibility, courtesy and sportsmanship upon joining the club.
  • Familiarization with Range Rules and procedures.
  • Safety briefings for all association members before each shooting event.
  • Basic familiarization with types of firearms and function.
  • History lessons covering progression of firearm design and impact on world events.
  • Marksmanship technique training.
  • Introduction to the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program.
  • Awareness of other shooting disciplines such as Cowboy Action Shooting, Rendezvous (Black Powder), Trap and Skeet, Camp Perry, Palma, etc.
  • Postal Matches. Club members compete with other clubs around the country through the NRA’s Postal Match Program. Results of target scores are “mailed” to another club following a pre arranged match.
  • Black Powder firearms, understanding and proficiency.
  • Reloading metallic cartridges.
  • Advanced rifle marksmanship techniques.
  • Iron sights and optical sights.
  • Bolt action vs. semi-auto.
  • Beyond .22 rimfire, the so called “High-Power.”
  • Long range, high-power rifle shooting. Available to those association members who attain the NRA’s Distinguished Expert Award.
  • Shooting historically significant, rare and otherwise unavailable firearms.
  • Last but not least, proper methods of cleaning firearms following each shooting event.