Malta set to build gun range

"Malta is way overdue for having a shooting range," Phillips County Sheriff Scott Moran told the PCN. "It's been probably three decades since we've had a public shooting range. Or more."

While the sheriff's office has their own range, the range has not been open to the public due to their lease.

The idea for a new range had been floated around during annual NRA Banquets, but the idea hadn't been put into motion until a plot of land was available.

Earlier this year, it finally happened. The land was gifted on a 50 year lease by Jim Carney.

Now the idea is more than a thought. It's a legitimate club named the Phillips County Shooters Club.

"The hardest part was getting the land within a decent drive from Malta," Sheriff Moran said. "Now that we have that and the lease on the land, we are going forward with it and I think it will be a great asset."

The club still needs help getting off the ground and is in search of anyone who can help, whether through man power, building expertise or financial help. The club is a 501C3 non-profit organization and is tax-deductable.

"We want to keep the memberships low and we can do that if we get volunteer help to get her up and going," Sheriff Moran said.

Membership prices are listed as $25 for single membership, $35 for a family membership and $500 for lifetime membership and name recognition.

The club is also holding a raffle that will be drawn on Saturday, May 14, at the Lucky Bullet at 6 p.m.

Ticket prices are $20 each or five for $100. The first prize is a $500 store credit at Art's Furniture. Second prize is $500 in Dino Dollars. Third prize is a DPMS AR Mossy Oak camo, stainless .223 rifle, fluted. Fourth prize is $500 in gas from Ezzie's Wholesale. Fifth prize is $500 towards a television at Todd's Technology Store.

Five hundred tickets were printed and the winner doesn't need to be present to win.

Sheriff Moran is one of three directors that include Darrell Kovach and Bud Slade.

Tony Boos is the club President, Greg Skiff is the Vice-President, Avery Sorenson is the Secretary and Bill Myers is the Treasurer.

"This is a hunting, shooting community and we have no place for people to go shoot," Boos said.

The range will give participants a venue to practice shooting without the threat of trespassing or posing accidental harm to livestock and or people.

Boos also believes that it will be beneficial for the youth throughout the county.

"It's also going to give the kids something to do," Boos said. "It's all about teaching rifle safety. This will also help get kids off of the street."

Boos admitted that there isn't a sanctioned instructor but the basics of gun safety can be taught.

"We can do it just to give people that are scared of guns but want to own them, the basics," Boos said.

The club will be working with the National Rifle Association (NRA) for grants that will help fund the club. The club also plans to utilize the NRA and the Fish and Game department for insurance purposes.

If anyone would like to donate to the P.C. Shooters Club, donations are welcome, whether it be time, money or resources the club is a 501C3 non profit organization and donations are tax deductible.

To help during the club's work days, send donations or for more info contact Boos at 654-7005. Raffle tickets are available through any of the clubs officials and club sponsors. The P.C. Shooters Club sponsors include Westside Sports, Hardware Hank, The Lucky Bullet, The First State Bank, First Security, Independence Bank and Crossroads.