Number of shooters is falling

[jckstrthmghty]

Indeed, I still seeing people in the ranges but rarely new faces showing up. However I do know that fire arm courses still filled full. Not sure where are those going after they got PAL...

Probably a bucket list item, something to do. Much like my wife, took the course but hasn't bothered to apply for her license. I better remind her to get on that.

[Cool Hand]

Speaking for myself, being in my mid 30s, many of my peers are struggling to make ends meet. Many of us cannot afford homes, let alone land to shoot on. We sure as hell aren't prioritizing the cost of range memberships, recreational clubs, and ammo when we can't even afford to buy a house.

Just my 2 cents.

[Rockisdead]

A lot of ranges/ clubs aren't accepting new members for their rifle ranges. Additionally, many clubs also require you to already know a member and have them sponsor you. Unfortunately these policies really limit the pool of new members.

[zippy]

From what I see being in my late 20's it's a mix of things that cause disinterest in my age bracket.

Cost of rent is getting absurd, many people are graduating college or university with plenty of debt but can only find an entry level dead end job in an unrelated field.

Land lords are restrictive and intrusive as ever, some people are stuck with several roommates in a small place. Safely storing a firearm without your landlord realizing and away from several other young, possibly stupid people, is too much a hassle.

Then there's the PAL application process. Yous have probably recognized by now that younger people detest making phone calls or filling out forms manually. Even if it's not a valid excuse it's just the way things are right now, doing the in person PAL course, printing and signing the forms, and getting your photo taken at shoppers drug mart is more than most people want to deal with.

Then you get to a kind of sad reality with the PAL application, the question regarding mental health conditions was revised from past 5 years to at any time in your life. Tons of young people have been on an antidepressant or anti anxiety drug during high school even for a brief period. They don't want to have the awkward talk with their doctor, who probably has no interest in guns, to ask them to write a note for their application.

So for the other young people I know it's a mix of can barely afford rent so the cost of ammo is a burden, they risk harassment from their landlord if landlord is aware a gun is in the house, no interest in doing a not-online application, and if they tried an anti depressant for even a couple weeks in their teenage years it's an awkward topic with their doctor, if they even have a doctor. Good luck explaining it at a walk in clinic. And of course the common issue of no where to shoot, going to crown land up north costs gas and time

[Daryl]

The local "Corlanes Sporting Goods" store pays 50% of a young woman's first membership fee at our club. This has been fairly well received as it is around an $80.00 saving.
Our membership is up around 2,000 total, now, counting spouses.

[Plink-Panther]

The local "Corlanes Sporting Goods" store pays 50% of a young woman's first membership fee at our club. This has been fairly well received as it is around an $80.00 saving.
Our membership is up around 2,000 total, now, counting spouses.

Seems a great number in liberal BC.

[Daryl]

Not up here, 500 miles North.