In December 2024 the Club introduced Range-Mate, a secure, cloud-based membership and shooting-record management system. The decision followed a committee review of how best to modernise record keeping, reduce administrative burden, and strengthen compliance with police and Firearms Enquiry Officer (FEO) requirements.
After more than a year of operation, the benefits for both members and the Club are already substantial.
Improved Member Record Keeping
Range-Mate provides a single, structured record for each member, including:
- Contact details and addresses
- Date and place of birth
- FAC and SGC details, certificate numbers, issuing forces, and expiry dates
- SCC membership details, numbers, and included disciplines
This ensures that essential information required by the police is held consistently, accurately, and securely, while reducing duplication and manual checking by committee members and allowing for automated reminder of forthcoming expiries.
Comprehensive Shooting Records
All Club shooting activity is recorded by event and date, allowing a member’s shooting history to be reviewed within seconds. Since adopting Range-Mate, the Club can now immediately supply verified shooting records covering the past year, with this rolling forward over time to five years where required by some FEOs.
Members are also able, if they wish, to record shooting outside the Club, including stalking and shooting with other clubs or at other ranges. This assists members in evidencing “good reason” while clearly distinguishing between verified Club activity and self-recorded external shooting.
When records are requested by an FEO, they can be produced by the member or the Club, within minutes, without the need for Club admin’ to search through 5,000 or so historic paper log entries or archived files.
Police and FEO Engagement
Range-Mate has significantly strengthened the Club’s ability to respond promptly and accurately to police enquiries. Structured reports covering attendance, shooting activity, and certificate currency can be generated quickly and clearly, reflecting positively on both the Club and its members and maybe even expediting FAC renewal and variation processes.
Range Attendance and Paper Logs
Member details can be transcribed directly from the system onto paper range registers, meaning that on arrival at a range only a signature is required. This reduces transcription errors, speeds up registration, and ensures consistency between electronic and physical records. Details such as muzzle brake aversion, left-handed shooters, etc., can be identified and, consequently, accommodated.
Security and Data Protection
Range-Mate is a cloud-based system designed specifically for shooting organisations. Published security policies and controls align with recognised best practice and, in the Club’s judgement, reduce risk to an acceptable level. As with any system involving sensitive information, access is controlled and limited to very few appropriate roles.
Member Responsibilities
The system was introduced to assist both the committee and the membership. Most members engage fully and keep their records up to date. However, a small minority do not update their details, which creates unnecessary additional work for volunteers. Members are reminded that maintaining accurate personal and certificate information is an essential part of club membership.
Conclusion
The introduction of Range-Mate has already delivered a significant reduction in administrative workload, improved accuracy and resilience of records, and a far more professional and responsive approach to FEO and police enquiries. The Committee considers it a major improvement in how the Club operates, benefiting both members and external stakeholders alike.
