Shooting Range Access For Students At Liberty University

Liberty University is a gun-friendly campus that allows students to conceal carry. The university has a state-of-the-art shooting range on campus, featuring pistol, rifle, and shotgun facilities, as well as an archery range. The range is open to current students, staff, and faculty members, who can bring up to two guests each. All participants must complete a gun safety course and adhere to strict safety protocols. The range offers various amenities, including steel and paper targets, and is open for use on specific days of the week.

Safety rules and regulations

Liberty University, a gun-friendly campus, has a state-of-the-art shooting range that is open to students, staff, and faculty. The range is located just minutes from the main campus and offers a number of shooting opportunities for all skill levels. Here are the safety rules and regulations that must be followed when using the shooting range:

• All students, staff, and faculty must complete the General Firearms Safety course before using the range.
• All directions and commands of the Range Safety Officer (RSO) must be followed at all times. "Cease fire" commands, in particular, must be obeyed immediately, and firearms must be returned to a safe status.
• Failure to follow the RSO's instructions will result in dismissal from the range.
• Only individuals who are legally permitted to purchase, own, or use a firearm are allowed to use the range. Convicted felons and those under a current restraining order are prohibited.
• Proper eye and ear protection must be worn at all times.
• All state and federal firearms laws and regulations apply.
• Firearms must be unloaded, contained in a case, and supervised by an RSO when entering and leaving the range. They can only be uncased and loaded at a designated range under the RSO's supervision.
• Only one firearm is allowed on the line at a time. Any additional firearms must remain unloaded and cased.
• Shotguns for skeet, trap, and sporting clays ranges may be left uncased but must be unloaded with the action open.
• Cell phones are prohibited while handling a firearm.
• No substances that cause impairment are allowed. RSOs have the right to deny shooting to anyone displaying signs of impairment.
• Firearms must be placed on a bench or gun rack before being handled by another person. No hand-to-hand transfers are permitted.
• No firing from the hip is allowed.
• Spent casings, shotgun hulls, and trash must be cleaned up before leaving the shooting venue.
• Four main firearm safety rules must be followed:
• Treat all firearms as if they are loaded.
• Muzzle Awareness: Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
• Trigger Finger Discipline: Keep your trigger finger straight and off the trigger until ready to fire.
• Know your Backstop: Be aware of your target and what is in front of and behind it.
• Age restrictions apply:
• Users must be 18 years or older to use the range without a parent or guardian.
• Individuals under 14 years of age are not allowed on the range.
• Those between 14 and 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• RSOs have the right to inspect firearms and ammunition at any time.
• Specific restrictions on firearms and ammunition types are in place, including a ban on automatic weapons, certain triggers, and specific rifle models.
• No reloaded ammunition is permitted.
• Only lead ammunition is permitted for shotguns, and it must be 7 1/2 shot or smaller.

Age restrictions

The Liberty Mountain Gun Club (LMGC) is a full-service shooting facility located near Liberty University's main campus. It offers a range of shooting opportunities for students, faculty, and staff of all skill levels.

The LMGC has strict age restrictions in place. Only current students, staff, or faculty are allowed to use the range. These groups are permitted to bring up to two non-Liberty-affiliated immediate family members as guests at a time. However, a current student, staff, or faculty member must be present when a family member is using the range.

Anyone under the age of 14 is not allowed on the range at any time, except for facility tours. Those between the ages of 14 and 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present at all times when using the range. To use the range without a parent or legal guardian, individuals must be 18 years or older.

In addition, all students, staff, and faculty must complete the General Firearms Safety course before registering for range time. Guests are also required to view a safety video prior to range reservation.

Firearms and ammunition restrictions

The Liberty Mountain Gun Club (LMGC) is a full-service shooting facility open to Liberty University students, faculty, and staff. It offers a range of shooting opportunities for all skill levels, from beginners to Olympic hopefuls.

LMGC has strict firearms and ammunition restrictions that must be adhered to by all users. These include:

• The right of inspection: RSOs have the right to inspect any shooter’s firearm or ammunition for safety at any time, and users must promptly permit these inspections.
• Automatic weapons: No automatic weapons may be fired at LMGC, even with proper permits.
• Trigger restrictions: No "echo" or binary-style triggers are permitted. The firearm may have such a trigger only with a selector switch that must remain in single-fire-only mode.
• Rifle restrictions: No rifles chambered in 7.62X54R will be allowed, including the Mosin-Nagant and all derivatives. No rifles chambered in .46 or larger are permitted, with the exception of Smith & Wesson 15-22’s, which are banned until further notice due to the S&W Safety Alert.
• Muzzleloaders: Muzzleloaders are not allowed except during events specific to their use.
• Caliber restrictions: RSOs reserve the right to restrict any caliber for usage on steel or at 100 yards.
• Loud rifles: RSOs reserve the right to remove any rifles that are disproportionately loud due to barrel length or compensator design.
• Reloaded ammunition: No reloaded ammunition is permitted, regardless of the experience of the reloader.
• Projectile restrictions: No steel core or armor-piercing projectiles may be used.
• Tracer ammunition: No tracer or incendiary ammunition may be used.
• Shotgun ammunition: For shotguns, only lead ammunition may be fired, and it must be 7 1/2 shot or smaller.

Concealed carry on campus

Liberty University is one of the few college campuses in the U.S. that allows students to carry concealed weapons. Students, staff, and visitors are permitted to carry concealed weapons on campus, provided they have a valid state permit and can present it upon request. Additionally, students and staff must obtain a Liberty Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) to carry on campus. To obtain a Liberty CWP, individuals must submit an online application, take a firearms safety course, and apply for a state permit. The university's police department also offers weapon storage services for those who wish to store their weapons when not in use.

The university has a comprehensive weapons policy that outlines the requirements for students to conceal carry on campus. These requirements include being 21 years of age or older, having no criminal record, obtaining a Virginia Permit and a Liberty University permit, passing the university's General Firearms Safety Course, and keeping the weapon in their car, on their person, or in a gun safe installed by the university police department. Roommates must also consent to having a gun in the dorm room.

The university also offers a variety of shooting opportunities for students, staff, and faculty of all skill levels at the Liberty Mountain Gun Club (LMGC), a full-service shooting facility located just minutes from the main campus. LMGC offers pistol, rifle, and shotgun ranges, as well as an archery range. To use the LMGC ranges, individuals must complete the General Firearms Safety course and follow strict safety regulations. These regulations include obeying all commands of the Range Safety Officer (RSO), unloading and casing firearms when entering and exiting the facility, and proper ear and eye protection.

In addition to the range facilities, LMGC also offers free concealed carry classes and gun safety classes throughout the year. These classes provide valuable instruction on firearm safety and responsible ownership. The university's commitment to promoting gun ownership and firearm sports is evident through these comprehensive safety programs and state-of-the-art shooting facilities.

Range facilities

The Liberty Mountain Gun Club (LMGC) is a full-service shooting facility located minutes away from the main Liberty University campus. The range facilities include pistol, rifle, and shotgun ranges, as well as an archery range. The pistol range offers targets at various distances, from 7 to 50 yards, and includes steel targets (plate racks, dueling trees, Rimfire Challenge courses, static steel targets, and "poppers"), movable paper target frames, and lane rentals. The rifle range has ten bays ranging from 100 to 300 yards, allowing shooters to engage both steel and paper targets. The shotgun range is one of the nicest on the East Coast, featuring American Skeet and Trap, three eight trap 5-stand fields, International Skeet, and Bunker Trap (International Trap). The archery range provides a large area with field targets for Olympic-style shooters and a 3D range for 3D shooters and hunters.

The LMGC offers a range of amenities and services to support shooters, including rental firearms, ammunition, eye and ear protection, and safety and concealed carry classes. The facility is open to current Liberty University students, faculty, and staff, who must complete the General Firearms Safety course to register for range time. Guests are also allowed, with certain restrictions. The LMGC is committed to promoting gun ownership and firearm sports, providing a variety of opportunities for shooters of all skill levels.

Frequently asked questions