Gun ranges, clubs on the decline
Canada has lost nearly a third of its gun ranges since the end of 2020, according to RCMP statistics.
RCMP figures report there were 1,245 ranges in Canada as of Dec. 31, 2020, as compared to 891 in March 2024. However, an RCMP Commissioner of Firearms report indicated that there were approximately 1,400 ranges nationwide in 2019 – which shows an even steeper decline. Asked the reason for the decline, RCMP spokesperson Robin Percival said, “Shooting clubs and ranges operate as private entities. Any opinion regarding a decrease in the number of ranges would be based on speculation.”
The timing of the decline, however, aligns with the gradual tightening of restrictions on centrefire semi-automatic rifles and handguns. This decline is also contrary to the growing number of firearms licence holders in Canada. Wes Winkel, president of Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association, said the shooting sports have taken a huge hit since more restrictions were introduced starting in 2020. He described a perfect storm of new regulations, increased red tape, and increased cost of ammunition that caused the downward spiral. Winkel also noted that before the COVID-19 pandemic, most gun clubs were full and had waiting lists.
He doesn’t believe the ban on semi-automatic centrefire rifles has had as big an impact as the handgun ban. Although it’s still legal for existing owners to use their handguns, in talking to shooters, he found one of the things that drew handgun owners to clubs was to take new guns and share with their friends.
“Now there’s no new things because there’s no buying them,” he said.
Gun club closures = ammunition declines
Declining demand for ammunition, which is reflected in club closures, augmented by tight supplies due to overseas conflicts caused some companies to close their ammunition warehouses in Canada. This, in turn, resulted in increased costs to the tune of a 30 to 35% increase since 2019.
Winkel said many hunters don’t realize how much handgun shooters, who use more ammunition, were subsidizing the shipping costs for bringing in hunting ammunition. He said hunters will go to the range three or four times per year, with even the most ardent shooting 10 to 12 times per year. Enthusiastic handgunners go to the range two to three times per week.
“When they stop going, it has a catastrophic impact on sales,” he said.
The further irony of this is the timing of it came out in an Olympics year, and handgun shooting is amongst the shooting events.
“The government put the exemption in for Olympic shooters on the handgun side, but how do you get new people introduced (that will be future Olympians) when they can’t go out and buy their own gun?” Winkel said.