Frequently Asked Questions

• Who can be a member?

  1. Members of the Regular Force and their families, veterans and their families; members of the Reserve Force (Class A/B and C) and their families; and members of Foreign Military currently serving/training with CAF in Canada are eligible for regular membership.

  2. Members of the RCMP and their families, law enforcement / first responders and their families, and all Defence Team members and their families are eligible for ordinary membership.

  3. All members must have a valid firearms license; either Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or a Restricted Possession and Acquisition Licence (RPAL).

  4. All members must have third party liability insurance from a provider of their choosing of a minimum of two (2) million dollars. Popular providers include Canadian Sport Shooting Association (CSSA), Canadian Coalition for Firearms Rights (CCFR), Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), National Firearms Association (NFA), and the Shooting Federation of Canada (SFC) to name but a few.

• Where does the Club meet?
  The club primarily meets at one of the three ranges within CFB Kingston during range days. Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and other meetings are held at a number of facilities around CFB Kingston. AGMs are held at least twice a year, in the Spring and the Fall.
• How do we reach the Club?
  You can reach the club by sending an email to basekingstonshootingclub@gmail.com or joining our Facebook page. Information on ranges and events are sent out via email or on Facebook.
• How much does it cost and how do I join?
  1. IMPORTANT: If you have recently moved to Kingston or are in Kingston on IR, ensure you contact the applicable Chief Firearms Office of your departing/arriving province to register your firearms at the proper address. Your ATT will be significantly delayed and you will be contacted by numerous people not associated with the KGSC who will ask you a lot of questions.
  
  Collect and scan the following documents required for applying to the Club:
  
  (a) KGSC Application Form - https://tinyurl.com/KGSC-Application-May-2021;

  (b) Military ID (NDI 20) or Veteran’s Service Card (NDI 75) or any other identification documents that prove the applicant’s status and eligibility for one of the membership categories of the Club;

  (c) PAL; and

  (d) Documentation proving possession of third party liability insurance (ie: membership card from a sanctioned shooting association providing insurance, coverage documents, receipt proving purchase of coverage, etc).

   

  2. Send an email with a scan or a photo of all the above noted documents to: basekingstonshootingclub@gmail.com.

   

  3. Once documentation has been verified, applicants will receive an email informing them their membership has been approved. At that time, applicants can pay their membership fees to PSP Kingston at the Kingston Military Community Sports Centre (KMCSC), 11 Navy Way, Kingston, ON K7K 7B4. Please note that how PSP accepts payments and the ability to pay virtually, over the phone, or in person can change depending upon the current societal environment.

   

  4. Once payment has been made, the applicant must finalize their application by sending a copy of their invoice (proof of payment) back to basekingstonshootingclub@gmail.com for the issuance of a Membership number and Membership Card.

   

  5. Fees: Membership fees are $30.00 +HST ($33.90) for regular membership and $40.00 +HST ($45.20) for ordinary membership.

• What do I get for my Membership Fees?
  The club will provide pre-constructed target frames and backings for members to post targets on, appropriate range safety equipment such as flags and first aid equipment. Membership fees support the club’s insurance premiums that cover members (like all CAF Recreation Clubs), purchase the lumber and materials to maintain target frames, and any other expenditures required for consumables to keep the club running.
• Does the Club provide firearms and ammunition?
  No. All members must bring their own firearms, ammunition, and whatever supporting equipment they will need for shooting, pick up the spent casings, and participate in post-firing range cleanup. A list of approved calibres is available.
• What firearms and cartridges are approved?

  Currently, the ranges at CFB Kingston are approved for the following cartridges:

  • firearms utilizing most common pistol cartridges (9mm, .38, .40, .45 etc)
  • 22LR rimfire
  • 5.56mm/.223 Rem centre-fire rifle
  • 12 Ga shotgun

  Due to danger area templating relative to the physical CFB Kingston boundaries, there is no expectation that approval of additional centre-fire rifle cartridges will occur in the near term.

• When will we shoot?
  Members are advised of Range availability and timings via email and/or on the Facebook page. We shoot year-round, weather permitting.
• What about safety?
  Each range will have a dedicated Range Safety Officer (RSO), which will be a club member who is on the CFB Kingston approved RSO list. They will be supported by an Assistant RSO (ARSO) so that shooters can concentrate on their shooting. The RSO will ensure all shooters are members and have their PAL and authorization to transport (ATT), conduct a range safety briefing prior to any firing and ensure they are in contact with Range Control throughout. They will call ceasefires as needed, and will walk the line to check firearms are clear prior to changing flags or permitting examination or resetting of any targets. On completion, the RSO will ensure the range is cleaned up, all equipment is locked away and close down the range in accordance with Range Standing Orders.
• This is a Club, why do I have to follow Military rules for shooting my own firearms?
  Because we are using a military facility, we must follow military range rules. In order to secure permission for the club to exist from our Base Commander, the Executive must ensure that all safety practices and procedures are followed, which may be to a higher standard than exists at other civilian shooting ranges. The Club must continue to demonstrate an adherence to all safety procedures, good citizenship, stewardship of the facilities and respect for all range users. Using the CFB Kingston ranges is a privilege and significantly contributes to the nominal club membership fee and thus we will abide by CFB Kingston Range Safety Orders.
• Why do I need third-party liability insurance?
  This allows KGSC to hold shooting competitions and send members to matches at other civilian shooting ranges. Additionally, the Club wanted to expand membership to include ordinary and family members, so the club introduced this requirement to mitigate risk on behalf of the Base Commander. Third-party liability insurance covers you, the member, if something were to go wrong while involved in shooting sports. With some providers, this often includes related activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, camping, etc. The insurance that PSP has only covers the club and its executive; it does not cover individual members. This requirement was therefore introduced to the KGSC in 2021 as part of our commitment to broaden membership opportunities and maintain responsible governance within the sport shooting community.
• What if I don’t have a Firearms License?
  Unfortunately, you cannot be a member without a valid PAL/RPAL. Sometimes we run courses required for prospective members to obtain a firearms licence; please contact the Club Secretary for more info.
• What about the future?
  The Club continues to improve through the hard work of the club membership and executive. The executive welcomes suggestions and volunteers to take on projects that contribute to the enjoyment of shooting sports within the club.