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Access Policy

Since the Shooting Sports Education Center is located on university property, it is unlawful for anyone to bring a firearm or a bow into the facility without prior authorization or arrangement. Individuals attending the facility to seek authorization as a member of the facility should not bring their firearm or bow.

The following age restrictions are in place in addition to Member Authorization:

  1. Firing Range: Individuals must be 10 years or older to utilize the firing range. Individuals age 10 – 17 must be accompanied (within arms reach) by an adult who is a “Member” or an “Approved Member – Firearms”. In addition, the individual must have written permission from a parent or guardian to use a handgun.
  2. Archery Center: Individuals must be 7 years or older to use the archery center. Individuals age 7 – 14 must be accompanied (present in Archery Center) by an adult.

Storage Policy

Purpose:

This policy is for SSEC Members to store their personal firearm and/or bow at the Shooting Sports Education Center.

Policy:

  1. The firearm/bow to be stored at the SSEC must have a legible serial number.
  2. The user must fully complete, agree to and sign the established storage agreement. (See storage agreement for more details).
  3. The term of the storage agreement will be limited to one semester.
  4. The end of the storage term will be the day prior to the next semester starting.
  5. The storage fee will not be prorated for the semester.
  6. The firearm/bow must be brought to the SSEC in a case. The firearm case will not be stored at the SSEC. Bows will be stored in their case.
  7. Anytime a firearm will be leaving the facility, the User must bring in their case to remove it.
  8. The User must provide a lock for the firearm either inserted into the chamber and the magazine well or on the trigger. The member must keep the key. A key will not be kept by the SSEC.
  9. The User must provide a lock for the bow case. The User must keep the key. A key will not be kept by the SSEC.
  10. Ammunition will be stored in an approved & locked ammunition container if the User is storing their firearm. The case must be clearly labeled. A member will be limited to 2 approved ammunition containers.
  11. The User must sign the storage log each time they get their firearm/bow in or out of SSEC storage.
  12. Only the User(s) whose name appears on the storage agreement will be allowed to secure the firearm/bow.
  13. If siblings are storing a firearm/bow which they may all utilize, all names must appear on the agreement with each person’s information and signature.
  14. The User may only check in/out their firearm/bow during SSEC posted operational hours.
  15. The User may store no more than 5 firearms and/or bows for the established storage fee.
  16. The User must sign at the completion or upon termination of the storage agreement which indicates the firearm/bow has been permanently removed from the SSEC.

Member Authorization Policy

Due to the location of the Shooting Sports Education Center being on university property, all individuals must take the appropriate steps to utilize the facility and possess a firearm or bow.

There are three categories of utilization of the SSEC:

  1. As a “Firearms Member”
  2. As an “Archery Member”
  3. As an “Approved Participant”

Once granted, status 1 and 2 are in effect until membership is terminated by the individual, 3 years of no member visit history (inactivity) or by the SSEC Director for violation of policy. Status 3 is in effect for the duration of the specific event, competition, activity or training.

An individual’s status may be revoked by the SSEC Director at any time for failure to comply with stated SSEC policies and procedures, University policies and procedures, Georgia State Law and/or Federal Law.

Firearms Member (Status 1):

A firearms member is an individual that meets the established criteria below.  Once a firearms member, individuals are “Duly Authorized” to lawfully possess the specified firearm for which they have been approved. The comprehensive process includes all criteria in the membership process with the exception of the archery written and practical exams. All individuals must complete these requirements to become a firearms member of the SSEC.

Archery Member (Status 2):

An archery member is an individual that meets the established criteria below. Once an archery member, individuals are “Duly Authorized” to lawfully possess the specified bow for which they have been approved. The comprehensive process includes all criteria in the membership process with the exception of the firearms written and practical exams. All individuals must complete these requirements to become an archery member of the SSEC.

A valid permit, ID or badge must be presented at the time of membership.

Criteria:

  1. Complete a personal data form and shooting experience questionnaire.
  2. Complete and sign a liability waiver.
  3. Watch an SSEC Range Safety and Operating Procedures video.
  4. Pass a written firearms exam with a score of 80% or higher and display the ability to unload and make clear, perform a functions check, load a firearm and engage a target at 5 meters, five times.
  5. Pass a written archery exam with a score of 80% or higher and display the ability to properly and safely follow all archery center rules including all whistle commands, nock an arrow and demonstrate the ability to safely shoot 3 arrows down range into a target at 10 meters.
  6. Specify the firearm for which they desire authorization as prescribed by Georgia law (Type, make, model and caliber).
  7. Specify the bow for which they desire authorization as prescribed by Georgia law (Type, make and model).

Note:

  • Authorization will include all rental firearms and bows issued at the SSEC.
  • Any person failing to disclose or falsifying information on their application form will be permanently banned from the SSEC.
  • Any “Yes” response to question 13b.-l. of the membership application would be disqualified from access to the SSEC.

Approved Participant (Status 3):

An “Approved Participant” is an individual that meets the criteria defined to become an “Approved Participant” of the SSEC. Once an “Approved Participant,” individuals can lawfully possess a firearm and/or bow in the designated activity, competition or training for which they have been approved

Criteria:

  1. Complete and sign a liability waiver.
  2. Be a member of a team in a scheduled team competition, a registered competitor in a scheduled individual competition, a registered individual in a firearm or archery training course or a member of a group reservation or group training (See Group Participation Policy).

Note:

  • Visiting shooting teams and clubs participating in a Georgia Southern SSEC sponsored competition or event are responsible for submitting a roster of all shooters and coaches. All shooters will receive a range safety brief from the Range Safety Officer prior to any shooting to include pre competition zeroing and practice. Only those individuals on the roster will be permitted on the range. All others are restricted to the visitor viewing area.

International Patrons:

An alien admitted to the United States under a nonimmigrant visa is prohibited from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition unless the alien falls within one of the exceptions provided in 18 U.S.C. 922(y)(2), such as: a valid hunting license or permit, admitted for lawful hunting or sporting purposes, certain official representatives of a foreign government, or a foreign law enforcement officer of a friendly foreign government entering the United States on official law enforcement business.

[18 U.S.C. 922(g)(5)(B) and 922(y)(2); 27 CFR 478.11 and 478.32]

Group Participation Policy

To appropriately serve individuals seeking to participate at the SSEC as a group (minimum of 5 persons), the following criteria must be met:

Criteria:

  1. Submit A Reservation Request Form (Two weeks in advance recommended)
  2. Have a designated person of responsibility for the group.
  3. Receive a reservation confirmation from the SSEC.
  4. Each individual of the group must complete a personal data form and shooting questionnaire.
  5. Each individual of the group must complete and sign a liability waiver.
  6. Watch an SSEC Range Safety and Operating Procedures video and pass the respective test.
  7. Have an SSEC Range Safety Officer assigned to the group during the entirety of the reservation.

Note:

The SSEC director will determine if additional staff or instruction is necessary based on the composition of the group and the desired activity.

Firearm Related Policies

  1. Long gun ammunition may only be sold to individuals age 18 and older.
  2. Handgun ammunition may only be sold to individuals 21 or older.
  3. Individuals age 18-21 may rent a handgun with ammunition. Unused ammunition must be returned to the SSEC.
  4. Individuals under the age of 18 may rent a handgun with ammunition with the prior written consent of a parent or guardian. Furthermore, the written consent must be in the person’s possession at all times and the parent or guardian giving the written consent may not be prohibited by law from possessing firearms.
  5. Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult to utilize the SSEC firearms range. Individuals age 10 – 17 must be accompanied (within arms reach) by an adult who is a “Member” or an “Approved Firearms Member”.

Disciplinary Processes

  • After the incident occurs and the incident report has been filed the Assistant Director will suspend the pass of the individual involved.
  • Assistant Director will set up a meeting with the individual involved, communication will be sent via email for said meeting.
  • Notice of the decision will be made via typed response on letter head to home of record.
  • The individual has 2 weeks from date of letter to appeal the decision in writing to the Director of the SSEC.
  • Final decision will be made by the Director of the SSEC in writing and is final.

SSEC Refund Policy

Membership, Passes and Merchandise:
All membership activation fees, passes and merchandise are non-refundable.

Programs:
Refunds will be accepted if submitted at least 24 hours prior to the program start. Refunds will not be accepted the day of the program or after the program has begun. For a refund, please submit an email request to the SSEC Director.

Day Camps:
Refunds will be allowed prior to the registration deadline less a 15% processing fee. Refund requests will not be accepted after the registration deadline. For a refund, please submit a written request to the SSEC staff camp contact via email.

Overnight Camps:
Parents must provide written electronic notice to the Assistant Director at least 14 days in advance of the camp or academy start date to receive a refund. Refunds will not be considered after the 14 days.

Tournaments:
Refunds will not be accepted after the registration deadline, the day of the tournament or after the tournament has begun. Refunds will be allowed prior to the registration deadline less a 15% processing fee. For a refund, please submit a written request to the SSEC staff tournament contact via email.

Tournament Late Fees:
A $20 late fee will be applied to each tournament registration submitted after the registration deadline if space permits.

Last updated: 4/8/2024


Shooting Sports Education Center • 3271 Old Register Rd • Statesboro, GA • 912-478-SSEC • ssec@georgiasouthern.edu