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Mission StatementWe want to provide the opportunity for everyone to learn firearms safety and to become comfortable with firearms and have a place to shoot them for fun or competition. Instruction is a big part of making this happen. We will provide access to a wide variety of courses on firearms safety, handling and shooting, as well as the legal issues involved in owning and using a firearm. The instructors will be both local and those who instruct at a national level. We will be encouraging junior shooting groups to use our facility and provide opportunities for young people interested in firearms to learn how to use them properly. Similarly, we will help women, senior citizens and the handicapped to enjoy using firearms for pleasure and for self-defense.
HistoryIn 1963 a group of nine air traffic controllers in Albuquerque, New Mexico decided they needed a place to shoot shotgun. They incorporated as the Del Norte Gun Club, a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization. They were wise in the ways of government and knew that the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was granting land to recreational organizations. The Club Secretary, Richard Chiavario, began the process to obtain land for the Gun Club. After the required probationary period, the Gun Club was granted a patent on 56.8 acres of land in 1970. A "patent" granted title to the land under a reversionary clause which stated that if the land ceased being used for its original purpose, the title would revert back to the BLM. The 56.8 acres were located in the wilderness area of Sandoval County well north of Albuquerque on land that was being leased for cattle grazing. The lease was held by the King brothers (Gov. Bruce King and his brothers, Sam and Don). They readily agreed to relinquish their grazing rights on the 56.8 acres provided the Club fenced the land in so that no cows would be shot. This was done. In 1977 much of the land north of Albuquerque became the City of Rio Rancho. Rio Rancho has been the fastest growing city in New Mexico for many years now. The rest of Sandoval County also has been experiencing rapid growth. As a result the Gun Club found itself surrounded by rapidly encroaching development. The Club knew it had to move, but according to the patent, if it ceased using the land for a firing range, the land would revert to the BLM and the Club would have no money to move elsewhere. In a series of discussions with the BLM beginning in March 2000 two crucial facts arose. First, Congress had passed a law stating that if land under patent contained hazardous material, and the patent holder would release the Federal Government from any responsibility for cleaning up the hazardous material, the BLM could transfer title free and clear to the patent holder. Second, Sandoval County was very interested in obtaining the 56.8 acres for a new government complex. The Club began fruitful and friendly negotiations with the BLM and Sandoval County. Because of the rapid growth around the range, the value of the Club's land had skyrocketed. After serious discussion and reflection, the Club members, a very community minded bunch, agreed that the reason for the high value of the land was directly related to Sandoval County's growth. Therefore, it would be equitable for Sandoval County to share equally in the land's current value. A final deal was made which was acceptable to the Club, the BLM and Sandoval County. The deal was also backed by both U.S. Senators from New Mexico as well as the U.S. Representative in whose district the land was located, and praised by articles and editorials in local newspapers. Everyone agreed it was a win-win-win deal. The deal was that: (1) the Club would release the Federal Government from any responsibility for hazardous material clean-up, (2) the BLM would grant free and clear title to the Club, (3) the Club would donate one-half the property to Sandoval County, (4) Sandoval County would purchase the remaining one-half the land at its appraised value, and (5) on owning the land, Sandoval County would accept primary responsibility to handle the hazardous material clean-up. The deal was closed and the land transferred to Sandoval County in January 2002. In July 2001 it had become apparent that the deal for the sale of the land looked very promising. It was time to locate land for a new range and to get a Master Plan drawn up. The Club was interested in a section (640 acres) of land. The only land parcel that large which was within reasonable driving distance and still far from any development was on the ranch owned by the King brothers. In July 2001 the Kings once again came to the aid of the Del Norte Gun Club and identified a perfect parcel of land they were willing to sell to the Club. It is located in the high desert at an altitude of 6,600 feet and is as beautiful as only the southwest high desert can be. A gentlemen's agreement was made for the sale of the land once the Club had the money and had obtained the zoning change to "special use". The Club also agreed to purchase a 65 acre finger of land for an extended safety zone. The Club chose Clark Vargas of C. Vargas and Associates, Ltd. to design the Master Plan. After a long search the Club was of the opinion that Clark was the best range architect in the U.S. and that he would design us an overall recreational shooting facility layout that would be world-class. He began work on the Master Plan in January 2002. Final zoning was granted at the end of July 2002 and the land for the new facility purchased in August 2002. On January 28, 2003 Joe Kelly, PE of JC Engineering in Albuquerque was contracted to perform final engineering drawings and drainage studies.
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www.delnortegunclub.com |
