THE SHARPSHOOTER



THE SHARPSHOOTER

FORT HILL RIFLE & PISTOL CLUB NEWSLETTER

NUMBER 7 ___ JANUARY, 2003

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Fort Hill Rifle and Pistol Club (FHRPC) is scheduled for Friday, February 21, 2003, from 6 to 8 PM. The meeting will be held at the Allegany County Career Center for Technical Education on McMullen Highway. All members are encouraged to attend. If Allegany County schools are cancelled on February 21 due to weather, the annual meeting will be re-scheduled for Friday, February 28.

The major item of new business is election of club officers. Six elected officers, including a president, vice president, treasurer, two executive officers and a secretary manage your club.

AMENDMENT of FHRPC BY-LAWS

The second major item of new business for the annual meeting is a vote on amended FHRPC by-laws. Our existing by-laws are dated July 17, 1944. These original by-laws have become outdated. The Executive Committee has worked for the last twelve months on a new set of by-laws. These amended by-laws are attached to the end of this newsletter. We have kept the good things from the original by-laws, eliminated some things that are no longer relevant, and added some new things that will promote the health and welfare of the FHRPC.

The FHRPC needs a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at the annual meeting to adopt these amended by-laws. The Executive Committee recommends you vote FOR the amended by-laws. If you would like to have a copy of our existing, outdated by-laws, feel free to call Marty Harsh at 301-759-2877. If you would like to discuss the amended by-laws before the annual meeting, feel free to call any of your FHRPC officers noted in the following paragraph.

CLUB OFFICERS

FHRPC officers for the year 2002 are (1) President, Tom Malony, 304-726-4030, (2) Vice-President, Wayne Belloff, 301-722-6859, (3) Treasurer, John Dowell, 301-724-5866, (4) Executive Officer, Frank Snyder, 301-777-1298, (5) Executive Officer, Bill Lewis, 301-777-8180, and (6) Secretary, Marty Harsh, 301-759-2877.

The club officers welcome your feedback. If you have any suggestions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact any of your club officers.

CLUB RAFFLE

The FHRPC annual raffle was conducted on Sunday, November 24, at the Morningside Drive rifle range. Seth Campbell, the 10-year old son of Ralph Campbell, drew the winning tickets. The first, second and third place prizes were a Remington model 700 DM (or $500), $200 and $100, respectively.

First prize went to Floyd N. Johnson Jr. of Cumberland, Maryland. Floyd has been a FHRPC member for eight years. He is employed as a quality control engineer at Allegany Ballistics Lab. He started competitive shooting when he was 12 years old at the Logans Ferry Sportsmen’s Club in Murreysville, Pennsylvania. The Logans Ferry club had an indoor 4-position smallbore rifle league. Floyd took the prize money and bought a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation commemorative Remington model 700 rifle chambered in 7MM ULTRA MAG. Just saying the name of that cartridge makes us flinch! Floyd is busy raising four sons, ages 6, 8, 10 and 13. He still finds a little time to hunt.

James S. Hinkle of Frostburg, Maryland, was the second-prize winner. Jim is a twelve-year veteran of the FHRPC and is now retired from the PPG plant. He is also an M1 Garand shooter in the highpower rifle league. In his younger days, Jim served our country in the United States Army as a marksmanship instructor.

Third prize went to Harry L. Twigg of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. Harry must be the luckiest guy in the FHRPC. If you recall, Harry was our first-prize winner last year. Harry is a competitive pistol shooter, regularly shooting in the Tuesday league matches at the Morningside Drive pistol range. Harry is retired from the Baltimore City Police and Martin Marietta Corporation.

The gross income from the raffle was $3469. Printing and mailing costs for the tickets totaled $256. Award prizes were $800. The net income to the club was $2413, about $100 higher than last year. The FHRPC would like to thank all of the members who supported the raffle by buying and selling tickets.

SIGHT-IN DAYS

The FHRPC helped a large group of deer hunters head into the woods with accurate zeros on their rifles at Sight-In Days. The actual number of hunters at Sight-In Days is not available. But, the team estimated that they helped about 250 hunters zero their sights. The weather was not for the weak hearted. Mother Nature delivered wind, rain and cold to the Sight-In team. All appreciated the old wood stove and the warm food prepared by Bill Gero and Dan James.

This year, the Sight-In team consisted of Ken Fuller, Jim Detrick, Jim Brant, Bill Gero, Dan James, Bill Bitner, Al Evans, Vic Merkel, Berk Haller, Bob Weatherholt, Butch Smith, John Dowell, Frank Snyder, Tom Malony, Bill Lewis and Dave Shafer. These guys sent a bunch of deer hunters away happy and confident with their firearms. Several Sight-In team members noted that many of our hunters had their sights zeroed in just two or three shots. Maybe our hunters have better rifles. Maybe our hunters have better ammo. Maybe our hunters are better marksmen.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS

Membership applications are available at the Morningside Drive rifle range clubhouse. An envelope, containing membership applications, is stapled to the bulletin board on the east wall.

The membership application contains a section for two members-in-good-standing to sign for the applicant. This is your club’s check valve to insure that we get members of good character and integrity. Since your officers rarely know all of the applicants, they rely on your signature as a voucher for the applicant’s character and integrity. Ask yourself a simple question before signing a membership application, “Would I like to have thus guy for a neighbor?” Member sponsors are responsible for recovering FHRPC property from individuals who have elected to discontinue their memberships.

We now have 39 names on the membership waiting list. Folks now applying for membership should plan for two years on the waiting list. New memberships become available as members drop out, move on to the next life or transition into the life membership category. You become a life member after maintaining your regular membership for a continuous period of 25 years. Life members do not pay dues.

The FHRPC has 376 members. The membership includes 54 life members, 23 uniformed police officers and regular military personnel, and 299 regular members. The FHRPC membership is limited to 300 regular members.

THANKS

(by FRANK SNYDER)

If the amount of friends determines a person’s wealth, then I’m a very wealthy man. I thank all who have called, offered help and sent card and flowers to my family and me during my recent surgery. I must tell you it was an over-whelming experience. To those who don’t know, I underwent open-heart surgery on November 1, 2002, consisting of five bypasses. As of right now I’m doing well, and looking forward to a complete recovery.

Thank you all.

SNOW BIRD RIFLE LEAGUE

(by Dave Thompson)

The FHRPC will be conducting a rifle league during the winter of 2002-2003 for anyone interested in firing classic military rifles in matches reminiscent of military qualification courses. In conjunction with the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP), the FHRPC will sponsor four John C. Garand matches. In accordance with CMP regulations, competitors firing in the John C. Garand matches will shoot one of the 30-caliber United States service rifles used between 1903 and 1950. These include the M1 (Garand), the M1903 (or variants), the M1941 Johnson, the M1917 and the 30-caliber M1 carbine. Rifles must be in as-issued condition with no National Match type improvements. The FHRPC will have two loaner rifles (M1s) available free of charge for anyone wishing to participate that does not have an appropriate rifle. Also, in keeping with the spirit of the match (and CMP regulations), everyone in the field will use the same ball type ammo, just like the soldiers of the period (M2 for the 30-06 arms, 30-caliber M1 carbine for the carbines). Ammo will be provided by the FHRPC on the firing line. All competitors must use the issued ammunition.

The format of the John C. Garand Match will be per the Course B schedule as provided by the CMP. Firing will be conducted at 200 yards at NRA SR targets. These are the type targets used for rifle marksmanship training and competition on the short course ranges of 200 and 300 yards. The course of fire will be a modified form of the National Match course, which was the standard course used for rifle marksmanship qualification during the world war period. The course will consist of the following stages:

1) 5 sighter shots fired from the prone position in a 5-minute time limit,

2) 20 record shots fired from the prone position in a 20-minute time limit,

3) 10 record shots fired from the prone position in a 70-second time limit,

4) 10 record shots fired from the sitting or kneeling position in a 60-second time limit and

5) 10 record shots fired from the offhand position in a 10-minute time limit.

The FHRPC wants this to be an educational and entertaining experience for everyone and will allow assistance, coaching and additional time as necessary. Don’t hesitate to ask!

This winter the FHRPC will also hold four combat type matches formatted similar to the CMP Infantry Trophy match. This CMP match is fondly referred to as “Rattle-Battle” due to the great rapidity of the firing, which creates quite a “Rattle”. Although the CMP match is a 6-man team match fired across a course from 600 to 200 yards, the FHRPC matches will have participants competing as individuals and ranges will be reduced (300 to 150 yards). As in the John C. Garand matches, the combat matches will make use of the same classic as-issued military rifles with club issued ball ammo. Ammo issue will consist of 69 rounds, affording each competitor 5 sighter shots and 64 record shots. The match will consist of a 5-minute sight-in period (300 yards) and four 50-second record firing periods (one each at 300, 250, 200 and 150 yards). During each record fire period, the competitor will rapidly fire as many shots as possible at a pair of silhouette targets. Scoring rules will favor evenly distributing shots on both targets and consuming the ammo allotment at the greater ranges. The first stage will occur at the 300-yard line and the competitors may use any hasty-sling supported position (typically prone). After scoring is complete from this first stage, the firing relay will rise and march abreast to the 250- yard line for the second stage. While marching, rifles will be unloaded with bolts open and muzzles elevated and pointed down range. Upon reaching the 250-yard firing line, targets will rise out of the pits and the firing relay may assume any hasty-sling supported position other than prone (sitting, kneeling or offhand), load and then fire. The third and forth stages will follow in a manner identical to the second stage, except that the third stage will be fired from the 200-yard line in kneeling or offhand position and the fourth stage being conducted at 150 yards from the offhand position. Any competitor consuming all of their ammo prior to the last stage must march with their relay through all remaining stages. Upon completion of the last stage, the relay will march to take their turn in the pits (bayonet charge optional)! Scoring rules for the match will be:

1) hits from 300 yards (prone) – 4 points each,

2) hits from 250 yards (sitting) – 3 points each,

3) hits from 200 yards (kneeling) – 2 points each and

4) hits from 150 yards (offhand) – 1 point each.

If each target contains 6 or more hits per stage a bonus will be awarded equal to the square of the number of common shots. For example, if target 1 has 9 shots and target 2 has 7 shots, the bonus award is equal to the number of common shots (7) squared or 49 points (7x7).

The matches will be conducted at the FHRPC Warrior Mountain Rifle Range. Firing will commence at 0900. Please arrive a minimum of 30 minutes early to allow for registration. Match fee will be $25 to cover the cost of issued ammunition and match costs. Anyone desiring more information on the matches may contact Dave Thompson at 304-788-1346.

SCHEDULES FOR AGENCY USE OF RANGES

The Federal Correction Institution (FCI) Special Operation Response Team (SORT) will be using the Warrior Mountain range for monthly training. Their schedule is shown in the following table.

The Allegany County (ALCO) Sheriff’s Office will be using the Morningside Drive pistol range for their annual firearm qualification. Their schedule is also shown in the following table.

|AGENCY |DATE |TIME |

|FCI |Thursday, February 27 |0800 - 1300 |

|SORT | | |

| |Thursday, March 6 | |

| |Thursday, April 3 | |

| |Thursday, May 8 | |

| |Thursday, June 5 | |

| |Thursday, July 10 | |

| |Thursday, August 7 | |

| |Thursday, September 4 | |

|ALCO Sheriff’s Office |Monday, June 9 |0900 - 1600 |

| |Wednesday, June 11 | |

| |Thursday, June 12 | |

| |Friday, June 13 | |

| |Monday, June 16 | |

| |Wednesday, June 18 | |

| |Thursday, June 19 | |

| |Friday, June 20 | |

JUNIOR SMALLBORE RIFLE LEAGUE IN 2003

The FHRPC, in conjunction with the NRA, is again conducting the Basic Rifle Shooting Couse/Rifle Shooting Merit Badge program as part of our junior smallbore rifle league. A schedule follows showing the course of instruction for this program. Any participant that attends five of seven lessons and demonstrates knowledge and proficiency will be recommended for a rifle shooting merit badge and will be given a certificate of completion for the course.

The FHRPC has excellent facilities, competent instructors and provides everything that is needed including rifles, ammunition, targets, hearing protection, shooting jackets, shooting mats and spotting scopes. A nominal fee of $1 is charged when shots are fired to cover target cost. Unfortunately, anti-gun sentiment is threatening to end this program on an essentially no-cost basis, so please take advantage of this program now. This is an excellent opportunity for any youngster to become acquainted with firearms safety and to develop basic marksmanship skills at little or no cost.

Please share this information with your family, friends and neighbors. Feel free to call Chris Bennett at 301-777-2593 in the evenings for more information.

Fort Hill Rifle & Pistol Club

2003 Junior Smallbore Rifle League

NRA Basic Rifle Shooting Course/Rifle Shooting Merit Badge

|OBJECT |Promote firearms safety & develop marksmanship skills |

|LOCATION |Morningside Drive rifle range |

|PARTICIPANTS |Boys & girls between 11 & 18 years of age. Parents are always welcome to help and frequently participate. |

|TIME |Saturdays, 9 AM to 11 AM |

|EQUIPMENT |Everything provided by FHRPC |

|DONATIONS |$1 when shots are fired |

|QUESTIONS |Call Chris Bennett at 301-777-2593 (evenings) |

|LESSON |DAY |DATE |TOPIC |

|1 |Saturday |April 5, 2003 |Rifle Knowledge & Safe Gun Handling |

|2 |Saturday |April 12, 2003 |Ammunition & Fundamentals of Rifle Shooting |

|3 |Saturday |April 19, 2003 |Firing the First Shots |

|4 |Saturday |April 26, 2003 |Prone Rifle Shooting Position |

|5 |Saturday |May 3, 2003 |Sitting & Kneeling Shooting Positions |

|6 |Saturday |May 10, 2003 |Standing Rifle Shooting Position & Review |

|7 |Saturday |May 17, 2003 |Rifle Sports & Activities |

WANTED TO BUY, SELL OR TRADE

This section of the FHRPC newsletter is reserved for membership advertising. You can advertise your surplus sporting gear for sale (WTS, want to sell) or trade (WTT, want to trade). Likewise, if you are looking for something to buy (WTB, want to buy), you can advertise here. Sporting gear can be any type of shooting, archery, hunting, fishing, or camping equipment. Examples include firearms, ammo, reloading equipment and components, scopes, bows, boots, portable tree stands, and tents. Forward your advertisements to Marty Harsh at 313 Sunset Drive, LaVale, Maryland, 21502, for the next newsletter.

1) WTS, 22-cal, Winchester, model 61, pump action rifle, good shape, $400 firm, Frank Snyder, 301-777-1298.

2) WTS, Thompson-Center Hawken muzzleloader, 50 cal, like new, $200, Roger Rowe, 301-729-2721.

3) WTS, S&W model 10, 38 SPL, 2-inch pin barrel, new, never fired, $325, Jim Sherman, 304-738-9443, after 4 PM.

4) WTS, Remington model 700BDL, enhanced receiver, 300 WIN MAG, new in box, never fired, $500, George Sneathen, 301-759-1323.

5) WTS, Remington model 541-T heavy barrel, 22 rimfire, glass bedded, barrel free floated, trigger job, with scope rings & bases, like new, $400, Mike Carney, 301-777-0997.

6) WTS, handmade hunting knives, made to order, some in stock, call for prices, Mike Carney, 301-777-0997.

7) WTS, Speer, 243-cal (6 mm) bullets, 105-grain Spitzer, $8 per box of 100, have 2 boxes, John Dowell, 301-724-5866.

8) WTS, Gun Lock trigger locks, $5 each, John Dowell, 301-724-5866.

9) WTS, Savage, M110, left hand, 7MM REM MAG, like new, with 3-9X scope, $370, Darrel Bailey, 301-777-0551.

10) WTS, Leupold compact 2.5X scope, like new, $175, Ken Fuller, 301-724-5254.

11) WTS, old brass, cases & ammo, 3 boxes 243-6MM Winchester, 3 boxes 22-cal rimfire Peters, box of 25 12-gauge Peters shotshells, call for price, Ken Fuller, 301-724-5254.

12) WTS, Browning A-Bolt, 338 WIN MAG, $550, Bob Beck, 301-724-7838.

13) WTS, 22-cal rimfire bullet trap, new, $50, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

14) WTS, Midway gun cradle, new in box, $75, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

15) WTS, Enfield, No. 4, MK I*, 303 British, used, good condition, in cosmoline, $125, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

16) WTS, Weatherby Vanguard, 7MM REM MAG, new in box, $450, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

17) WTS, Gracey power case trimmer, 223 cal, new, never used, $225, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

18) WTS, AA2230 gunpowder, 8 lb, $100, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

19) WTS, USGI surplus ball powder, ideal for medium sized rifle cartridges like 30-06, 8 lb, $100, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

20) WTS, 45ACP brass, Remington, primed, new, never fired, $125 per 1000 pieces, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

21) WTS, 223 USGI brass, once fired, resized, trimmed, primer crimp removed, ready to reload, 3500 pcs in 5-gal bucket, $175, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

22) WTS, 30-06 brass, Lake City, new, 1000 pieces, $100, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

23) WTS, Mega Ears, made by Bonner-Tech, 2 pairs, new, $150 each, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

24) WTS, Ransom Rest, with windage base and grips for model 1911 45ACP, new, never used, $500, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

25) WTS, Simmons model 51105 Red Dot sights, very good for 22-cal pistols, rifle & shotgun, new, never used, have 4 sets, $35, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

26) WTS, Marlin Glenfield model 30A rifle, caliber 30-30, with 4X scope, fired less than 40 rounds, $325, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

27) WTS, Savage model 110, 223 REM, includes 3-9X scope with bullet drop compensator, fired less than 20 rounds, $375, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

28) WTS, American Rifleman Mags, 1957 to present, in binders, $75 or best offer, Jim Gift, 301-359-3639.

29) WTS, 300 Weatherby Mag brass, new, unfired, 28 pcs, $7, Jim Gift, 301-359-3639.

30) WTS, 338 cal, 250-gr Lapua, 225-gr other pulled bullets, 48 pcs, $6, Jim Gift, 301-359-3639.

31) WTS, 30 cal, 150-gr and 170-gr silver-tip bullets, 43 pcs, $3, Jim Gift, 301-359-3639.

32) WTS, Lyman resizing press-in resizing dies, 8X57mm, 38-55, 308WIN, 30-06, $3 each, Jim Gift, 301-359-3639.

33) WTS, L. E. Wilson press-in die for 250-3000 SAV, $5, Jim Gift, 301-359-3639.

34) WTS, full-length die for 38-55, $5, Jim Gift, 301-359-3639.

35) WTS, 1896 Swedish Mauser bolt and assorted parts, call for price, Bill Murphy, 301-334-8550.

36) WTS, Winchester AA Super Target WST8 powder, 8 lb, $80, Marty Harsh, 301-759-2877.

37) WTS, Federal Gold Medal Match ammo, 223 REM, 69-grain Sierra HPBT projectile, $225 for case of 500, Marty Harsh, 301-759-2877.

38) WTS, Remington ammo, 45ACP, 230-grain FMJ projectile, case of 500, $110, Marty Harsh, 301-759-2877.

39) WTS, Federal Gold Medal Match ammo, 308 WIN, 168-grain Sierra HPBT projectile, $300 for case of 500, Marty Harsh, 301-759-2877.

40) WTS, Federal Gold Medal Match ammo, 308 WIN, 168-grain Sierra HPBT projectile, brass is slightly tarnished, $275 for case of 500, Marty Harsh, 301-759-2877.

41) WTS, AA2520 powder, 4 lb, $45, Marty Harsh, 301-759-2877.

42) WTS, 30-caliber, 150-grain projectiles, pulled from USGI M2 ball ammo, $5/100, $20/500, Marty Harsh, 301-759-2877.

43) WTB, 45ACP 230-grain FMJ projectiles, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

44) WTB, 45ACP USGI match brass, Vic Merkel, 301-777-1129.

45) WTB, 16-gauge Lee loader, Roger Rowe, 301-729-2721.

46) WTB, IMR 1-pound powder cans, empty, $1 each, Marty Harsh, 301-759-2877.

47) WTB, 12-gauge shotgun shell reloader, Roger Winebrenner, 301-689-6426.

48) WTB, Smith&Wesson, model 686, Tom Langley, 301-689-6869.

PLACES TO SHOOT

This section of the FHRPC newsletter is reserved for information describing shooting matches outside the FHRPC and in the not-to-distant surroundings. If you know of other places holding shooting matches that might be of interest to the FHRPC membership, forward the information to Marty Harsh at 313 Sunset Drive, LaVale, Maryland, 21502, for the next newsletter.

Bench Rest

1) Casselman Valley Sportsmen, Grantsville, MD, Nov 2, Nov 16, Nov 23, start at 1 PM, varmint barrel with no limit on scope, factory rifle with sporter barrel and 12X scope limit, Fred Kreiger, 301-729-1261.

Blackpowder

1) Maysville, WV, first Sunday of each month, $10 per match, start at 1 PM, Terry Mulligan at 304-738-3219.

Running Deer

1) Casselman Valley Sportsmen, Grantsville, MD, Nov 9, Dec 14, start at 1 PM, Terry Mulligan, 304-738-3219.

Smallbore Silhouette Rifle

Sporting Clays

1) Everett Sportsmen’s Club, P. O. Box 312, Everett, PA, 15537, Mar 2, Apr 6, May 4, Jun 1, Aug 3, Sep 7, Oct 5, Nov 2, 50-bird rounds, shooting from 10 AM to 3:30 PM, food & ammo available, call Ed Sponsler at 814-652-5562 for more info.

Trap

1) Lonaconing Trap Club, Tuesday & Thursday evenings starting at 4 PM, Saturday mornings starting at 10 AM, call Gary Dawson at 301-724-6351 for more info.

BIG BUCK PICTURES

Only two of our members responded by sending pictures of their deer.

Tom Detrick is shown on the top half of the following page with the eight-point buck he killed in his back yard near Salido, Texas. Tom’s 4-acre home is adjacent to a 500-acre ranch. He dropped the buck with a PSE bow. His Dad, Jim Detrick, supplied the picture. Tom is a Major in the United States Army. Think of how Tom would look, dressed in his BDUs and holding the head of Bubba bin Laden by the ears! A big bunch of us would like to have that shot.

Wayne Stott is shown on the bottom half of the following page with his pair of bucks. Wayne killed the ten-point buck on the Saturday, November 30, the first day of Maryland’s rifle season. He killed the eight-point buck on the following Monday, December 2, the first day of Pennsylvania’s rifle season. Both bucks were shot with a customized Mauser chambered for the 30-06 cartridge. Wayne is an avid handloader and regular competitor in the FHRPC highpower league.

[pic]

Tom Detrick with Texas 8-point buck in above picture.

[pic]

Wayne Stott with 10- and 8-point bucks killed in Maryland & Pennsylvania.

BY-LAWS

of the

Fort Hill Rifle and Pistol Club, Incorporated

Cumberland, Maryland 21502

Affiliated with the

National Rifle Association of America

11250 Waples Mill Road

Fairfax, Virginia 22030

ARTICLE 1. NAME

1.1 Name. The name of this organization shall be Fort Hill Rifle and Pistol Club, Incorporated. The Fort Hill Rifle and Pistol Club, Incorporated, hereinafter shall be referred to as the FHRPC.

ARTICLE 2. OBJECT

2.1 Object. The object of the FHRPC is the encouragement of organized rifle and pistol shooting among citizens of the United States of America resident in our community, with a view toward a better knowledge on the part of such citizens of the safe handling and proper use of firearms, as well as improved marksmanship. It is our further object and purpose to forward the development of those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team play and self-reliance, which are the essentials of good sportsmanship and the foundation of true patriotism.

ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Eligibility. Any citizen of the United States of America eighteen years of age or over and resident in our community may become a member of the FHRPC on vote of the Executive Committee after: (1) subscribing to the oath of allegiance in Article 4, (2) payment of the usual initiation fee and dues, (3) completion of range orientation and (4) showing proof of membership in the National Rifle Association of America (NRA).

Membership Classifications

3.1 Regular Membership. A regular member is any member in good standing with less than twenty-five years of continuous membership with the FHRPC, and meeting the requirement of residency defined in paragraph 3.4 for their first full year as a regular member. A regular member must pay applicable fees and yearly dues. A regular member is entitled to (1) a key for access to FHRPC property, (2) one vote in the annual election of FHRPC officers and (3) the opportunity to hold office as an elected officer.

3.2 Life Membership. A life member is any member in good standing with twenty-five or more years of continuous membership with the FHRPC. A life member is exempt from paying yearly dues. A life member is entitled to (1) a key for access to FHRPC property, (2) one vote in the annual election of FHRPC officers and (3) the opportunity to hold office as an elected officer.

3.3 Associate Membership. An associate member is any member in good standing who does not hold regular or life membership with the FHRPC, and who desires affiliation with the FHRPC to take advantage of any reduction in fees associated with competitive shooting. An associate member does not have to meet the requirement of residency defined in paragraph 3.4. An associate member must pay applicable fees and yearly associate membership dues. An associate member is not entitled to (1) a key for access to FHRPC property, (2) vote in the affairs of the FHRPC and (3) hold office as an elected officer.

3.4 Residency. A person is resident in our community if he or she maintains their full-time residence within the following geographic boundaries: (1) all of Allegany County and Garrett County, Maryland, (2) Bedford County and Somerset County, Pennsylvania, south of the Pennsylvania turnpike, (3) Mineral and Hampshire County, West Virginia, north of route 50 and (4) that portion of Morgan County, West Virginia west of highway 522.

ARTICLE 4. OATH OF ALLEGIANCE

4.1 Oath. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. I certify that I am a citizen of the United States of America and that I am not a member of any organization or group pledged to, or working for, a program aimed at the destruction of our present system of government established by the Constitution of the United States. I further certify that I have never been convicted of a felony nor pled guilty to a felony or any crime of violence, and that there are no federal or state laws that restrict my access to firearms or ammunition.

ARTICLE 5. DUES

5.1 Annual Dues. The annual dues and initiation fee will be established by majority vote of the membership at the annual meeting. Initiation fees must be paid when the new member first joins the FHRPC. Annual dues must be paid by June 30 of each year. A regular member may make a late dues payment between July 1 and July 31 of each year. A late payment fee may be assessed by majority vote of the membership at the annual meeting. After July 31, a regular member is no longer in good standing and will be dropped from the membership roster.

5.2 NRA Membership. Any regular member joining the FHRPC after December 31, 2000, must maintain membership in the National Rifle Association of America, hereinafter referred to as the NRA, to be considered in good standing. Proof of NRA membership for those regular members joining after December 31, 2000, must be submitted with the annual dues payment. Regular members may make their NRA dues payment to the FHRPC. The FHRPC Secretary will forward the appropriate dues to the NRA.

5.3 Failure to Pay Dues. No member of the FHRPC in arrears shall be eligible to vote or to enjoy any privileges or benefits offered by the FHRPC.

ARTICLE 6. MEETINGS

6.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the FHRPC shall be held in February of each year. If the annual meeting shall not take place at the time fixed it shall be held within a reasonable time thereafter, and the officers shall hold over until their successors shall have been elected.

6.2 Special Meeting. A special meeting of the FHRPC may be held at any time upon call of the President or upon the call of the Executive Committee, or upon demand in writing, stating the object of the proposed meeting, and signed by not less than one-fifth of the members entitled to vote. Notice of the time, place and object of any special meeting shall be given all officers and members in good standing in writing by United States mail not less than seven days prior to the date fixed for the holding of the meeting. The Executive Committee shall fix the place of such special meeting.

6.3 Quorum. One-tenth of the members of the FHRPC entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

ARTICLE 7. OFFICERS

7.1 Elected Positions. The officers of the FHRPC shall be a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Executive Officers. They shall be elected by a majority vote of the members in good standing present at the annual meeting. They shall hold offices for one year or until successors are elected. All officers must meet the residency requirement defined in paragraph 3.4 while holding office.

7.2 Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, two Executive Officers and the Secretary. The Executive Committee shall have general supervision and control of all activities of the FHRPC.

7.3 Executive Committee Meetings. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held regularly at such time and place as the Executive Committee may determine. Special meetings may be held at any time on the call of the President or on demand, in writing to the Secretary, by three members of the Committee.

7.4 Quorum. Four members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.

7.5 Resignation. Resignation of any officer may be accepted by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee.

7.6 Vacancy. A vacancy in the Executive Committee may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Committee. However, if more than one vacancy exists, a special meeting of the FHRPC shall be called and new officers shall be elected to fill the vacancies until the date of the next annual meeting as provided in paragraph 6.1.

7.7 Succession. The order of succession to the position of President is Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, First Executive Officer and Second Executive Officer.

ARTICLE 8. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

8.1 President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the FHRPC and of the Executive Committee. He shall be a member ex-officio of all regular and special committees, and shall perform all such duties as usually pertain to his office.

8.2 Vice-President. The Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President in his absence or at his request.

8.3 Secretary. The Secretary shall conduct all official correspondence. The Secretary shall notify the members of the Executive Committee of all meetings and shall notify all members of special and annual meetings, as required in Article 6. He shall keep a true record of all meetings of the Executive Committee and of the FHRPC and have custody of the books and papers of the FHRPC, except the Treasurer’s books of account. All applications for membership in the FHRPC shall be made to the Secretary. He shall be responsible for the collection of all fees and dues and shall remit the same to the Treasurer. He shall forward to the NRA the annual dues for each club member, as provided in paragraph 5.2.

8.4 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the FHRPC and place the same in such banks as may be approved by the Executive Committee. Such money shall only be withdrawn by check signed by the Treasurer and for the payment of such bills as shall have been approved by the Executive Committee, except that the Treasurer shall immediately and without action by the Executive Committee draw checks for membership fees in the NRA as provided in paragraph 5.2, such checks to be turned over to the Secretary for transmission to the NRA, as required in paragraphs 5.2 and 8.3. The Secretary shall deliver to the Treasurer a receipt for all such checks, including a list of the names of the members for whom dues are being paid, and the dates covered by the membership fee. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all his transactions and render a detailed report to the FHRPC at its annual meeting. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual budget, including all planned expenditures, and present said budget to the FHRPC at its annual meeting.

8.5 Executive Officers. The Executive Officers shall participate in all Executive Committee meetings and, with the remainder of the Executive Committee, shall have general supervision and control over all club activities.

8.6 Expenditures. No officer shall contract for any services or obligate the FHRPC for any non-budgeted bill without the authorization of the majority of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 9. RANGE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

9.1 Committee Members. The Executive Committee shall appoint a Range Development Committee. The Range Development Committee will consist of the Executive Committee, one representative from each organized shooting league and one representative from the membership at large.

9.2 Function. The Range Development Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the Executive Committee on matters related to the development of FHRPC facilities for organized shooting. The elected FHRPC President shall serve as chairman of the Range Development Committee. The elected FHRPC Secretary shall serve as Secretary of the Range Development Committee.

9.3 Meetings. Meetings of the Range Development Committee shall be held at such time and place as determined by the Executive Committee.

9.4 Duties. The purpose of the Range Development Committee shall be to insure the equitable representation of all aspects of organized shooting in matters related to the development of FHRPC facilities. Members of the Range Development Committee shall be required to be familiar with the needs and requirements of the organized shooting they represent. Members of the Range Development Committee shall also conduct surveys, prepare plans, obtain cost estimates and perform any other such duty as required by the Range Development Committee.

ARTICLE 10. SUSPENSION, EXPULSION OR FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP

10.1 Officer Suspension. Any officer may be removed by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members in good standing present at any special meeting called for this purpose. No vote on suspension or removal may be taken unless at least fifteen days notice in writing shall have been given to the officer of the reasons for his removal and of the time and place of the special meeting at which such ballot on his removal is to be taken. At such special meeting the officer shall be given a full hearing.

10.2 Member Suspension and Expulsion. Any member may be suspended or expelled from the FHRPC for any cause deemed sufficient by the Executive Committee by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the members of the Executive Committee present at any regular or special meeting. No vote on suspension or expulsion may be taken unless at least fifteen days notice in writing shall have been given to the member of the charges preferred and of the time and place of the meeting of the Executive Committee at which such charges will be considered. At such meeting the member under charges will be accorded a full hearing.

10.3 Presentation of Charges. Any member in good standing may prefer charges against any officer or member. The charges shall be in writing clearly stating the facts relied upon and accompanied by all affidavits or exhibits, which are to be used in their support. Such charges shall be filed with the Secretary, who will immediately notify the President. The President will call a meeting of the Executive Committee to hear the charges. The Secretary will give at least fifteen days notice of the meeting to each member of the Executive Committee and to the accuser and to the accused, which notice shall be in writing and will include a true copy of the charges and of the supporting affidavits and exhibits.

10.4 Appeal. Any member suspended or expelled by the Executive Committee may appeal to the full membership of the FHRPC. Such appeals shall be made in writing to the Secretary who will notify the President. The President will call a special meeting of the FHRPC for the purpose of acting on the appeal. The Secretary shall give at least fifteen days notice in writing to all members of the FHRPC in good standing stating the date, time, place and reason for such special meeting. At the special meeting the Secretary will read or display the original charges, the supporting affidavits, the accompanying exhibits and the minutes of the special meeting of the Executive Committee at which the charges were heard and action taken. A full hearing will be given the accuser and the accused. A vote will be taken by ballot of the members in good standing present. A two-thirds affirmative vote shall be required to reverse the action of the Executive Committee.

10.5 NRA Suspension and Expulsion. Any official or member of the FHRPC who has been suspended or expelled by the NRA shall automatically stand suspended or expelled from the FHRPC immediately upon receipt of official notice by the Secretary of the FHRPC from the Secretary of the NRA.

10.6 Mandatory Forfeiture of Officer’s Position. Any officer must forfeit his or her elected position upon becoming non-resident in our community and failing to meet the residency requirement defined in paragraph 3.4.

10.7 Mandatory Forfeiture of Membership. Any regular member must forfeit his or her membership upon becoming non-resident in our community and failing to meet the residency requirement defined in paragraph 3.4 during their first year of membership.

ARTICLE 11. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

11.1 Alcoholic Beverages. The use or possession of alcoholic beverages on FHRPC property is prohibited unless approved by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE 12. PROPERTY

12.1 Real Estate. Real estate owned by the FHRPC shall not be sold, given away, abandoned or disposed of in any manner except by two-thirds majority vote of the membership present at a special meeting called for this purpose.

12.2 Land Use Agreements. Land use contracts, leases or other agreements for use of FHRPC property (real estate or other) shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee. These agreements shall be open to the membership for inspection at all times. No agreement for use of FHRPC property shall be of duration longer than one year.

12.3 Disposition of Property. Other property shall be acquired by, and the maintenance of such property shall be the responsibility of, the Executive Committee. Disposal or acquisition of property other than real estate, or property purchased or owned by the various leagues, shall be the responsibility of the Executive Committee. Recommendations for disposal or acquisition of league property shall be made to the Executive Committee for approval prior to final disposition.

ARTICLE 13. MATCH RULES

13.1 Match Rules. All firearm competitions held by the FHRPC will be governed by the rules and regulations established by the NRA, Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) or other appropriate sanctioning body.

ARTICLE 14. AMENDMENTS

14.1 Amendments. Any proposed amendments to these by-laws may be introduced by any regular or life member of the FHRPC at any regular meeting or special meeting called for the purpose. The proposed amendments must be acted upon by the FHRPC membership at a regular meeting or a special meeting called for the purpose, provided a copy of the proposed amendments has been sent to each FHRPC member by United States mail at least ten days previous to the meeting. A two-thirds vote of the members present will be necessary to pass or reject an amendment.

ARTICLE 15. CERTIFICATION

15.1 Certification. We hereby certify that these by-laws have been adopted by the FHRPC.

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Thomas W. Malony, President

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Wayne F. Belloff, Vice President

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John C. Dowell, Treasurer

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William C. Lewis Jr., Executive Officer

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Francis L. Snyder, Executive Officer

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Martin D. Harsh III, Secretary

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