FLSC NEW ALPHA Outline

Fenton, Michigan                                                                                                                   May 2024 

·       Calling All Members!

·       May Activities

·       Steel Challenge vs. Cowboy Action Shooting

·       Sporting Clays

·       Range Rule Highlight

·       Medical Response Training

·       Legal Notes

·       Cowboy action Shooting Match

 

 

CALLING ALL MEMBERS!

Just to reiterate from last month, we are pleased that Bill Tocco has stepped up regarding our call for a Volunteer Coordinator!  So don’t hesitate to contact Bill! Our beautiful Michigan spring weather is here, and what could be better than getting out of doors to help for a couple of hours, or more, to make our Club great! 

We are always looking for member to volunteer as board members. Attending a business meeting is the best way to get an idea of what that looks like.  So come to the next business meeting, see how we do things, and volunteer your time to help run our Club! 

So if all else fails, please contact Paul Hales at Clubvp_Finance@fentonlakes.com, or Keith Morris at ClubPresident@fentonlakes.com to volunteer, and we’ll see you at the Club!

 
 

 

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Sporting Clays Spring League 
    Monday, May 6th is the first day of the spring Sporting Clays league! Shooting starts at 6:00PM, and registration for the league can be done at the Clays clubhouse, until May 20th. The League will be every Monday, through July 8th.  See the flyer below for more details, grab your favorite shotgun, come on out, and have some fun shooting clay pigeons!

 

Junior Small Bore Rifle CMP Program

The Program continues this month, on May 9th and 23rd at 6:00PM-8:00PM, in the indoor range. See the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s page for more details.

 

Cowboy Action Shooting Match 
   The Single Action Shooting Society is putting on a shooting match on Sunday, May 12th, from 8:30AM-12:30PM, at the 25 and 50 yard outdoor ranges. See our SASS page, and Jim Twesten’s articles below for more information.

 

            FSLC Business Meeting 

            Our monthly business meeting will be held Tuesday, May 14th at 7:00PM, on the first floor of the Clubhouse. All Club members and the public at large are welcome to see how things get done, and have some input.

 

            Outdoor Emergency Care class 

            The online kickoff meeting for the Outdoor Emergency Care class being offered again this year through the National Ski Patrol will be on Wednesday, May 15th, at 6:00PM.  Pre-registration is encouraged. See the article below for more details.

 

            New Member Orientation 

            This event is required for access to our ranges. It will be held Wednesday, May 22nd, from 6:00PM-9:00PM. It will be held in the training room, in our Clubhouse basement. Please contact Rachel DeSantis, at racheladesantis@gmail.com, for registration, and more information.

 

            Steel Challenge 

            The Steel Challenge match will be on Saturday, May 25th, from 9:00AM-1:00PM, at the Steel Challenge outdoor range. See Jim Twesten’s article below for a comparison of Steel Challenge, and Cowboy Action shooting. See our Steel Challenge page for more information, and registration.

 

            First Steps Pistol training 

            This NRA sanctioned introductory class will be held Saturday, June 1st, from 1:00PM-5:00PM.  See our NRA First Steps Pistol page for more information, and registration.

 

 

NRA-Personal Protection in the Home Class 

Completion of this class will give you the certification you need to satisfy the training requirement for a Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL) application. The Class uses NRA materials.  The class begins at 8:00AM on Saturday, June 8th, and ends at 6:00PM that evening.  For more information, and registration, see our training page.

 

 

Steel Challenge vs. Action Cowboy Shooting

by Jim Twesten

Second in a series of three articles comparing the similarities and differences between Steel Challenge and Cowboy Action Shooting

Start Position 

Steel  For centerfire handguns, the shooter will start with the gun loaded and holstered with wrists above shoulders. For rimfire handguns or rifles there is no holster and shooter will start aiming at a flag or Low Ready position 

Cowboy  The starting position is included in the stage description.  It could be any of several different possibilities.  Typical starting positions are hands on gun leather (holsters) or hands on hat or shotgun in hand but not loaded.  Others are hands hovering over but not touching the rifle or hands at full surrender (hands above the shoulder).  There are others. 

Divisions or categories

 

Steel  Centerfire Pistol Divisions
       Open (OPN) - Any legal pistol, optics allowed
       Limited (LTD) - USPSA Limited pistol, iron sights only
       Production (PROD) - USPSA Production pistol, iron sights only
       Single Stack (SS) - USPSA Single Stack pistol, iron sights only
       Open Service Revolver (OSR) - Any legal revolver, optics allowed 
        Limited Service Revolver (ISR) - Any legal revolver, iron sights only
          Rimfire Divisions
       Open Pistol (RFPO) - Any .22LR pistol, optics allowed
       Limited Pistol (RFPI) - Any .22LR pistol, iron sights only
       Open Rifle (RFRO) - Any .22LR rifle, optics allowed
       Limited Rifle (RFRI) - Any .22LR rifle, iron sights only
           Pistol Caliber Carbine
       Open Carbine (PCCO) - Any Pistol Caliber Carbine, optics allowed
       Limited Carbine (PCCL) - Any Pistol Caliber Carbine, iron sights only
       No rifle calibers are permitted 

Cowboy  There are numerous categories based on age, shooting style or type of firearm used.  All firearms must be of the type that one thinks of when considering the “old west” i.e: single action revolvers, lever action or pump action rifles, lever action or pump action or side by side shotguns.  There are also categories for dress style.  There are separate categories for men and for women.  All firearms must be in a caliber that was typical of those found in the “old west”. 

For more information about Cowboy Action Shooting contact Jim Twesten at ClubCowboyActionMgr@fentonlakes.com
For more information about Steel Challenge contact Frank Oullette at ClubPPCmgr@fentonlakes.com

 Jim Twesten is the Fenton Lakes Sportsman’s Club’s Membership and Cowboy Action Manager.

 

 

      

  

SPORTING CLAYS

Preparations for the Sporting Clays program for Spring continue apace, with improvements being made to the course, replenishment of our stock of clays, and a league beginning in May! So keep in mind that the Sporting Clays course is open Red Key Card holders 7 Days a week and to the general public, every weekend, weather permitting. Also, there will be a Sporting Clays league forming this Spring! See the flyer below for more details. See the Sporting Clays webpage, or contact the Sporting Clays manager, Andy Shute at ClaysMgr@fentonlakes.com, or (248)345-4944 for more information.

 

 

 

Another Successful Police Pistol Combat Match and Banquet for the books!

 

The 2024 PPC Match is in the books and it was another successful match for Fenton Lakes Sportsman's Club. Over the 4 days of the match FLSC hosted over 150 shooters from all over the state of Michigan and even a few that made the trip across the border from Canada. We took the feedback from last year's match where there was overwhelming support to move away from cash prizes and back to guns. So we did exactly that and handed out 25 guns in prizes at the Sunday night banquet. It was a fantastic four days catching up with all the PPC regulars that come and shoot the match each year and exciting to see and talk with a good number of first time PPC shooters.

  

As always you cannot run an event like this without a small army of volunteers. Many thanks to everyone that helped on the range, with the scoring, checking shooters in, keeping the kitchen up and running and the many million other little items that needed doing. And of course thank you to all the shooters that participated in this year's match. We look forward to seeing you all for the 2025 match.  

  

RANGE RULE HIGHLIGHT

 

This month, we would like to highlight General Policies & Procedures Rule number 5, which may be found on page three of the printed range rules, and Violations and Enforcement Rule number 4, which is found on page five. Both rules may be found here,on our Club’s website. 

Rule 5 states: “All members and guests must sign in and sign out for all range usage. Guests must sign in and have signed the “Release” agreement and have paid the current range usage fee before any shooting activity.” 
   Rule 4 states that “An ‘Incident Report’ must be completed in the event of accidents, incidents, or unsafe conditions by all members and guests present.” 

These rules together help engender a culture of accountability for the safe operation of our Club, with the goal of providing a place for enjoyable firearms and archery outings for everyone. We welcome everyone to our Club, so they may enjoy what we enjoy, and these rules are there to help us to continue to do so. Without    a culture of accountability for the safe operation of the Club, we would not be able to continue to thrive, or even exist. 

So please, help us keep a good record of everyone who uses the Club, and any occurrence that would be considered unsafe, or a violation of the Club rules. It is especially important in the case of some accident, or incident that everyone involved assumes personal responsibility, by filling out and submitting a report of the    accident or incident. It will always be appreciated by the Club, and will undoubtedly help in the resolution of any problems that may arise from such accidents or incidents. 

Remember, anyone may call a “cease-fire” at any range, when they see someone with a problem, or acting in an unsafe manner. 

So please remember the basic firearm safety rules, and if you have any questions regarding the range rules, please contact any member of the Club Board, or staff. Contact information is available on our website.
   So come on out to our Club with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, anyone that would enjoy some range time, let’s all be safe, and have fun! 

 

 

 

 

 

Medical Response Training returns to FLSC! 

by John Wiley

 As in the previous two years at Fenton Lakes, we will again be offering medical response training at FLSC.  Single evening courses in trauma care (Stop The Bleed) and cardiac intervention (CPR) will be offered at no cost to members.  Details will be forthcoming on those classes, with expected course dates late in    May or early in June... e-mail notice for sign-up will follow at a slightly later date.

 

More immediately than the classes listed above, FLSC is again partnering with the National Ski Patrol to offer club members the opportunity to take EMT-level coursework in First Aid response. Unlike our one-day offerings cited above, this class is a college-level course with multiple weekly hands-on sessions; this                  year's offering of Outdoor Emergency Care will start at FLSC beginning May 15, and will run through approximately beginning of October. Those who choose to enroll will be exposed to multiple elements of first-responder care, encompassing trauma response, medical emergencies and rural interventions, amongst    many other topics.

While the course instruction for this class is provided free of charge, please understand that there are other costs that factor into this sizeable commitment, including certification, supplies, and equipment needs, all totaling approximately $250 per student.  Those who choose to participate should expect a rigorous and    demanding class, that will yield personal readiness to handle most medical/trauma emergencies as a first responder. 

Over the last two years, seven FLSC trainers, officers and club members have taken this coursework, all to great advantage to the club and themselves.  If you are interested in the very demanding Outdoor Emergency Care course just described, please review the deeper detail just below in this e-mail from lead                    instructor/club member Mike Wiggins; if you want to sign up, please contact me, John Wiley  jdwiley@chartermi.net or call at (248)568-5938 as soon as possible. 

If you are interested in the upcoming one-day offerings of Stop The Bleed and CPR, please stand by for club e-blast details and scheduling at a slightly later time. 

John Wiley is the FLSC’s Club Delegate, and Chief Instructor

 

OUTDOOR EMERGENCY CLASS DETAILS:  OUTDOOR EMERGENCY CARE COURSE BEGINS MAY 15 AT FLSC, DETAILS FROM LEAD INSTRUCTOR MIKE WIGGINS: 

As you are considering the Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) class this summer, I wanted to provide you with relevant details so you can make a final decision.

 

Here's a summary: 

            • Great first aid course, but challenging.

• Lots of talented instructors.

• Online kickoff meeting 5/15/24.

• We will meet in person every Wednesday from 5/22 to 10/2 from 6p to 9p for hands-on practice.

• Bookwork is online.

• There are some costs involved (see below).

• We are as flexible as possible with schedules.

• Our goal is to do whatever we can to help you succeed.

• Please contact me with any questions or to let me know if you intend to join us. 

I'm Mike Wiggins and will be the lead instructor for the course.  I have been in Ski Patrol for approximately 10 years and an OEC instructor for most of that time.  I'm also an EMT.  I have helped with several classes like this, and this will be my third time as lead.  We have had great success with our prior classes, and                 we expect this year to be just as much fun.  We have a great cadre of very talented and experienced instructors backing me up. 

This course will be challenging, especially if it has been a few years since you've been in school.  The material covers Basic Life Support (BLS) first aid on par with an EMT class.  It covers, among other things, administrative and legal aspects of first aid, anatomy and physiology, disease processes, different types of                 trauma, and what to do about it. It's a lot of material to digest but is very doable.  You will hear me say many times that our goal is to do whatever we can to help you succeed.  You just need to put in the work. 

There are several parts to the course: 

1.             Online bookwork - this part is intended to be on your own, but there will be opportunities in and outside of class for discussions to make sure it all makes sense.  There are weekly reading assignments, quizzes, and a few other exercises you'll have to complete. 

2.             Hands-on skills - this will be the focus of our in-person sessions.  This covers the process used to assess a patient and all the skills needed to treat different conditions, including potentially saving a life. 

3.             Testing - The class will culminate in testing, which is comprised of a written, multiple-choice exam, scenarios in which you assess and treat a patient, and several skills.  Don't worry, you will be well prepared by then. 

We will start on 05/15/2024 with an online kick-off meeting.  In person training will begin on 05/22/2024.  We will meet every Wednesday from 6p to 9p.  The final is tentatively scheduled for 10/02/2024.  The date of the final may be adjusted depending on how ready we think you are and the availability of the army of                 people needed to run the test. 

Everyone has other commitments, including the instructors.  We are as flexible as possible with everyone's schedule.  We will work with everyone to make up any missed material.  If you think you'll miss more than two or three classes, please let me know. 

As mentioned above, there will also be opportunities to dive deeper into the book material.  We will spend a few minutes at the beginning of each class answering questions for each week's reading assignment.  We also schedule online meeting sessions as needed to focus on some of the more important material from             the book.  I am a big believer that more knowledge (within reason) makes you a better practitioner. 

The estimated costs for the course are as follows: 

•                 OEC v6 text book, including online course access code - $93.71

•                 NSP Course Fee - $60.00

•                 NSP Dues - $96.00 (if you're already a member, then you've already paid this)

•                 CPR Materials - $30

•                 First Aid Supplies - $60 

We are actively working on reducing or eliminating the cost of the first aid supplies through donations.  We will let you know. 

Please let me know in the near future if you decide to join us.  I will need to order books before the class starts and send you sign-up instructions.  Some of you have already indicated your intent to join us, so I will be sending sign-up instructions later today. 

Finally, if you have any questions, please reach out to me.  You can email or call/text me at (810)730-8383.  

I look forward to meeting all of you! 

Mike Wiggins

 

 

LEGAL NOTES

           

 

By Paul C. Taylor

 

  Our Club’s reason for being is the support of the outdoor sports of hunting, with firearms, and bows; and given that an integral feature of that is the ownership and use of firearms, and we are distinctly an American sportsman’s club, it follows that the right to keep and bear arms and to self-defense via the use of those arms             are vital to that purpose. 

So in support of our Club’s efforts, this column offers information, news and commentary relevant to the state of the law in Michigan, as it relates to the right to keep and bear arms. While it would be inappropriate, and even sanctionable, for this author to offer advice as to any particular course of action without the                          appropriate attorney and client relationship, as the old saying goes, shared knowledge is king. Thus, please consider the foregoing. This month, a court case will be discussed. 

The case is a criminal case from the United States Middle District Court of Florida, in Tampa. The case is entitled United States v. Emmanuel Ayala.
           In 2022, Mr. Ayala was a semi-truck driver for the U.S. Postal Service. Mr. Ayala, held a valid Concealed Pistol License, and normally carried a Smith & Wesson 9mm autoloader in a fanny pack, for self-defense. Current Federal law prohibits the possession of a firearm on Federal property, regardless of a permit to carry,                  with the exception of the parking lot.

In September of that year, while walking from the employee parking lot, through the USPS distribution center, to his truck, two USPS Inspector General agents tried to stop Mr. Ayala, but he fled, and was apprehended later. He was subsequently charged with possession of a firearm on Federal property, and resisting an                    officer, by a Federal grand jury.

Prior to trial, Mr. Ayala’s court-appointed Federal Defenders brought a motion to dismiss the charges, on the grounds that the Federal prohibition against knowingly bringing a firearm onto Federal property was unconstitutional, in light of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc., et al. v. Bruen, and the principal that a               U.S. citizen has a right to resist an unlawful arrest.

 

After considering argument from both sides, the Honorable Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, in an order with extensive argument, held that the United States could not prohibit the possession of a firearm on Federal property except for specific areas such as a legislature when the body was in session, and polling places, on election days.

The judge also noted that such a law amounted to a nullification of the Second Amendment, since the Federal government owns 28% of the United States, and would cover such things as toll booths, and Social Security offices. Unfortunately for Mr. Ayala, Judge Mizelle did not dismiss the charge of resisting an officer,                     because that would require more facts than she had to that point in the case. 

This ruling by a U.S. trial court does not affect Federal law, and indeed, the USPS has stated that their policy remains. It is, however an extensive, and well-reasoned argument for the principle that such blanket prohibitions do run afoul of the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment, and it could be used as persuasive                     material in defense of a similar prosecution.           

There will be more discussion and information in future newsletters, so in the meantime, keep your head on a swivel, don’t talk to the police without an attorney, and have fun at our Club! 

Paul C. Taylor is a member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan.

 

 

 

Cowboy Action Shooting is Busting out at Fenton Lakes!

 

by Jim Twesten

Sunday, April 14 was a beautiful day in Butcher Butte.  There were blue bird skies and very comfortable temperatures.  At about 9:45 that morning the bang and clang of gunfire could be heard.It continued until about noon.  When the smoke cleared, a small group of cowgirls and cowboys could be seen along with one                innocent bystander.  A few people came by to see what the ruckus was all about.  After satisfying themselves that there was no immediate danger, they moved on. 

Rumor has it that there will be a similar ruckus on May 12.  Since it will be Mother’s Day the ladies participating won’t have to pay to play.  Registration will begin at 8:45 and continue to 9:30.  Once registration has ended the “bang and clang” will once again be heard in Butcher Butte, after a safety meeting. 

The May match should be an interesting one as this writer has been told that there will be one stage that should be very fast for all shooters regardless of ability.  For future matches this year an attempt will be made to base at least one stage at each match on a state championship setup.

So, c’mon out and join the fun.  As previously said, Ladies shoot free that day.  If you are a Wolverine Rangers member or a Fenton Lakes Sportsman’s Club member the cost is $14.00.  if you are under 18 or have never shot a cowboy match at Fenton the cost is $5.00.  All others--$20.00

 

FLSC STORE

 

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the FLSC Store is the place to for all your FLSC gear. It’s a great way to support the club and share it with others. Find it on our website or go to: https://my-store-c0b81b.creator-spring.com/

 

      

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