I wouldn't even float the idea of a "pass".

My annoyance at having my ability (without sounding like some Gem. O.D nutcase) to move freely curtailed, is tempered by my willingness to help aid with the reduction in cases of this 99% survivalable disease, by abiding in this lockdown. However the phasing as announced by Leo is once again a Dublin or even city based solution.

Most people don't shoot so don't realise a range needs lots of space. However the phased reopening as announced by Leo specifically mentioned Golf, Tennis and other outdoor sports. Well shooting is as outdoor as you get and has even less chance of contact than golf, tennis, etc. It was not a thought through solution for those that live in isolated or rural areas.

Same as the cabbage lover (Eamon Ryan) and his car sharing idea. I'd have to walk between 2 to 5km to get to someone with a car to share. Also how would buying the car, insurance, running costs, NCT, motor tax, resell, etc work. IOW they are ideas either floated or actually put into effect without the slightest regard to persons whose entire lives cannot be accommodated for within 20km, let alone 5km.

Getting back to the phased reopening, as i don't want this thread to turn into another discussion about the Chinese virus, there are other factors that need to be clarified.

For example the phased plan says no more than 4 people together while maintaining social distancing, even outdoors. Well surely that cannot mean 4 people in the entire range, or ona golf course, tennis court, etc. There are a dozen ranges within the MNSCI range, and having 4 people on EACH range would still allow for social distancing while accommodating plenty of people. I've seen days when there have been 100 people signed in that day and you'd wonder where the hell they are as the place look somewhat quiet.

The booking idea for the range would give each person a dedicated start and finish time to avoid a flood of people. Not traveling until your booking has been confirmed also means no unexpected "drop ins" as they may (i'd hazard a guess) be turned away at the gate to maintain manageable numbers on each range.

ROs at each range to enforce social distancing and also run the details. IOW each detail can be 20 to 25 minutes and the RO will start the detail and finish it to avoid details running too long and people waiting to long to get a card up.

NO competitions of any kind. IOW nothing that requires close interaction of people. Plinking, informal target work only.

This is an unprecedented event in our time so it will change each week, but one thing is for sure. There can be no mistakes with this phased reopening.

With the Government asking for people to report those breaking the rules and the Irish people's willingness to shop their neighbor at the first sign of rule breaking there can be no let up of the restrictions put in place by the range otherwise your head will spin at the speed that all the relaxed restrictions will be fully implemented again.

Pkiernan wrote: »

Forgive the question, but what does H.M.E stand for please?

High Muzzle Energy

It refers to high muzzle energy rifles which by law can only be shot on ranges at distances of 300mtrs plus. Calibers like 6.5x284, 30-06, 300 WinMag, etc.

Anything that produces over 4,200 joules which can include things like the 308 with the correct load, but with 99.9% of factory ammo, you're under this threshold.

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

First problem for 99.9% of people will be GETTING TO those facilities.
Few if any of us live within 5,or 20 klicks of a range,golf course or whatever.In my case its a 200 klick round trip.So unless I and I'd say 90% of Midlands members can get up there unhinderd.It might as well stay closed.:(

And what about the other 10%? They should miss out because not everyone can go?

This will be a gradual process as outlined from the very beginning of this thread. It won't be business as normal from the 18th, and yes that means some will get to start their sport sooner than others.

Hence my point of needing somthing to say we can travel uninhinderd thee thru Garda checkpoints.

A simple "memo" among AGS from the higher ups saying that those traveling to Golf Clubs, and ranges and other outdoor sports are exempt from the 20k limit due to the nature of their sport is all that is required.

We're not at the "show me your papers" level of dictatorship, yet.

Or triple our distances driving down back roads,boreens,laneways,and bridlepaths like somthing out of the Dukes of Hazzard avoiding the Sheriffs posse.:rolleyes:

Jaysus, problem for every solution, or what?

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

Never said that at all.I said in the Midlands case 90% of people wont be able to make it

I know what you said, i was there when you said it , but the reply is still valid. The other 10% that can make it can, and the rest of us will have to wait and see how things transpire.

IF it all goes to plan and the triple dictatorship of Holohan , simple Simon Harris and Lord Vard agree,which I seriously doubt they will.

It out of our hands completely and if the signs or stats show a gradual or any easing in restrictions is not working then its back to square one. So its as much on us as them.

Indeed, but how shall we get this memo to thos PTB?And memos in AGS do tend to be occasionaly "missed" especially regarding firearms by some strange coincidence?

I am and am not being literal. By memo i mean an official announcement from the Commissioner, Assistant Commish, etc to the rank and file doing the actual stops to allow those that are traveling to a range or golf course, etc. to do so if they are adhering to proper social distancing. IOW not collecting the lads and four or five people from different households using the one vehicle, making multiple stops in various shops on the way. While some of it can be enforced the rest will be a case of self policing which the shooting community excels at.

We are actually loooongggg past that friend Cass! What was signed away in rights in our names is horrifying,and this was one of the first things that was required.Letters from employeers,work IDs etc.And even in a good few cases of that it wasn't enough for some Garda Muldoon types on checkpoints.

I don't know what you're referring to there and unless its about the ranges around the country opening i'm not that interested in a constitutional debate tbh.

Nope realism on what has been going on already,with Dubs magically appearing in their holiday homes in Clare or all compass points.:P

Again can you not just take the ray of light at face value. The prospect of the range(s) opening again, fishing, golfing, etc getting back into swing (no pun intended) should be something to look forward to and not a case to find fault with sleights people have with the Government. We'll have time for that later, but for right now i want to get back to my sport.

2009/2010

Nothing yet, but as i said at the start of this thread the planned re-opening was going to be in conjunction with the ability for people to travel which depended on what the Dáil voted on allowing yesterday or Friday (not sure which day).

As the situation changes so to will the ability to open the range. Now the range could open from next week regardless, but this re-opening has to weighed against the use of it. I'm not saying to keep it closed until there are hundreds able to attend because getting the range open is also an important step regardless of attendance. So the entire range being open for two or three is still a viable reason. IOW just because there are only two or three doesn't mean the range cannot open, but plans must be made for ROs etc. (who do live within the 5km range) to be in attendance.

As the distance and phasing extends so too will the numbers attending and the amount of ROs, etc.

So in my opinion i assume the range will reopen as planned from next week with updates as soon as the RCOs & ROs make plans for each phase of reopening.