{"id":134762,"date":"2025-06-16T16:01:14","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T16:01:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/2025\/06\/16\/video-young-guns-experience-history-and-safety-at-bc-shooting-range\/"},"modified":"2025-10-20T11:37:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T11:37:20","slug":"video-young-guns-experience-history-and-safety-at-bc-shooting-range","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interior-news.com\/2025\/06\/16\/video-young-guns-experience-history-and-safety-at-bc-shooting-range\/","title":{"rendered":"VIDEO: Young guns experience history and safety at B.C. shooting range"},"content":{"rendered":"

Veteran shooters at a Vancouver Island gun club recently opened its doors to young firearms enthusiasts, offering them a unique and educational experience in the world of shooting sports.<\/p>\n

North Saanich Rod and Gun Club (NSRG) celebrated National Range Day on Saturday, June 7, by hosting an event at the club's McTavish Road range, focused on introducing youth to firearm safety, marksmanship and the club’s rich heritage.<\/p>\n

Among the attendees was 17-year-old Ryan Fathi, who described his excitement at handling a vintage Colt 537 Python revolver.<\/p>\n

“It felt heavy, but I still can’t believe I fired a piece of history,” he exclaimed.<\/p>\n

“It’s a very high competition gun,” said Gary Byrne, a member of NSRG’s pistol group. “They quit making it in the late '60s – it’s a very accurate gun.”<\/p>\n

The event saw boys and girls eager to try their hand at a variety of firearms, including pistols, airguns, black powder guns, rifles and shotguns. NSRG members provided expert guidance and coaching.<\/p>\n

Participants were equipped with protective glasses and ear muffs, ensuring a safe and enjoyable learning environment.<\/p>\n

\"gun-safety-watch\"
North Saanich Rod & Gun Club coaches making sure the girls are prepped before jusing the pistols on Bay 2. Harry Corro\/Peninsula News Review<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NSRG president Colin Quail explained the purpose of the special event was to allow club members to invite family members, kids and grandchildren, as well as non-club members, to have a better understanding of and experience the sport in a safe environment.<\/p>\n

"The people who arranged the setup here today on behalf of the club have tried to focus on that safety aspect. They zoned it very carefully; it's not as segregated as you see it normally, but when you have an inexperienced group coming in, safety is number one,” he explained.<\/p>\n

John Ling, NSRG’s junior program director, echoed the importance of safety and education. "Do it and identify what is safe and what is not safe," he said. "And then we introduce them to basic marksmanship skills."<\/p>\n

Ling elaborated on the junior program's focus on competitive-style shooting, which emphasizes precision and composure.<\/p>\n

"It's Olympic-style shooting, single shot, with a target, so they need to be as calm as possible," he explained.<\/p>\n

\"gun-boy-gun\"
A young shooter is getting ready to fire a rifle downrange. Harry Corro\/Peninsula News Review<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ralph Lowe, NSRG vice-president, described marksmanship as the core principle of the sport.<\/p>\n

"The idea is to shoot a bullet downrange into a target, and the next bullet as close to that first one as you possibly can," Lowe explained. "That’s marksmanship and accuracy, and that's the idea."<\/p>\n

Lowe emphasized that shooting is a sport that can be both team-driven and individual, offering personal rewards through self-improvement.<\/p>\n

"You compete against yourself for personal benefit…most people, when they get a good target, they just put it in a book and save it," he said. "They don't go waving it around at all – it's your reward."<\/p>\n

NSRG’s junior program currently includes members from eight years old to 21, primarily practising with air guns.<\/p>\n

Each session begins with a one-hour safety briefing, ensuring that all participants understand the importance of responsible firearm handling.<\/p>\n

Ling described the rewarding experience of seeing young shooters achieve their goals.<\/p>\n

"You can see their face light up. The first time they hit the target, they see the target paper with holes in it and they’re happy," he said.<\/p>\n