Guide for New Members

Welcome to the CMU Gun Club.

The CMU Gun Club was formed by a group of firearms enthusiasts to share
their hobby with others in the Carnegie Mellon community.  Our bylaws
state that the objectives of the club are:
a.  To discuss and participate in shooting sports, reloading and other
recreational activities involving firearms.
b.  To promote the shooting sports and stimulate firearms interest among
the campus community
c.  To promote the safe and responsible use of firearms and educate the
campus community on firearms and firearms related issues.

Experienced shooters will find a forum for discussion of various firearms
and related activities as well as people to shoot with, while those who
have never handled a gun will be provided a forum in which to experience
the shooting sports.


Emphasis on Safety

Firearms related accidents account for only 1.6% of all accidental deaths
in this country and have been declining for the greater part of this
century.  This safety record is due to the careful adherence to firearm
safety rules set forth by various shooters groups.  Safety rules compiled
by the CMU Gun Club should have been presented to you along with this
information.  Please read these rules and ask any experienced member for
clarification of anything you do not understand.

To further promote the safety of club members, the following procedures
have been established regarding the discharge of firearms at club
activities.  For a more detailed explanation, please see the club by-
laws.

A subset of all club members have been classified as "experienced
members."  These members are authorized to initiate field trips to Club
Affiliated firing ranges.  Dues paid members who are not experienced
members may shoot at these field trips, but the number of experienced
members must exceed the number of non-experienced members by one, with at
least one of these experienced members agreeing to supervise each non-
experienced members.  Prospective members who wish to try shooting before
joining the club may pay a $1.00 fee and participate in one club field
trip.

The classification of experienced member is open to all dues paid members
and is determined by the club Education and Safety Officer.  The usual
course for attaining this classification is to take a written test of your
gun safety and handling knowledge. Upon passing this test a field test
will be administered at a club affiliated firing range by the Education
and Safety Officer or one of the duly appointed Safety Deputies.  It is
recommended that new shooters attend several field trips as
non-experienced members before taking these tests.

If you have any questions please ask any club officer, or post to the
assocs.gun-club bboard.

SAE 4/21/94