Lemon Grove Rod & Gun Club

Lemon Grove Rod & Gun Club is an IRS 501(c)(7) shooting social club—meaning it's run by and for shooters, not a commercial range. Founded by WWII veterans, LGRGC operates as one of San Diego County's smaller clubs, which creates a tighter, more trusted membership compared to larger operations.

• •Key difference: You can't just walk in and pay. New members need a current member sponsor to vouch for them, then complete a prospective member process before board approval. This isn't gatekeeping—it's deliberate. It means everyone on the range knows the safety culture and shares the values.

• •Holster draws on the pistol range – Subject to RSO approval, members can draw and fire from the holster
• •Continuous steel target engagement – Thick steel targets on rifle and pistol ranges mean no waiting for cease-fires unless you're shooting paper
• •Unsupervised trap launcher access – Members use the club's $20,000 trap launchers independently during 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. range hours
• •Simultaneous multi-range use – Archery is deconflicted from rifle and pistol ranges, so 3D archery runs at the same time as other shooting
• •Carry unloaded/holstered handguns – In the lower property area (outside active ranges)

LGRGC schedules matches and clinics constantly across their facility:

• •Tuesdays: 5-stand sporting clays
• •Wednesdays: Trap League
• •Fridays: Friday Night Trap Shoot (weekly), Low Light Handgun (3rd Friday), Defensive Handgun Clinic (2nd & 4th Friday)
• •Saturdays: Saturday Night Trap (2nd), Youth Trap (2nd & 4th), Action Handgun (1st), IDPA Match (3rd), Precision Rifle Match (5th)
• •Sundays: 3D Archery (2nd), Black Powder (3rd), Precision Rimfire (3rd, even months), Action Rifle Match (3rd, odd months), Sporting Clays (4th), Tactical Shotgun (5th)
• •Special Events: Women's Shooting Clinic (2nd Sunday Jan, April, July, Oct), Youth Trap programs, Jim Kasten Memorial Cup

No payment until approved. Here's what prospective members do:

1. Find a sponsor – A current member who knows you 2. Attend membership meeting – First Tuesday of each month, get a tracking card 3. Participate in shooting event – With sponsor, demonstrate safe handling (hitting targets optional) 4. Work a club event – Range maintenance, event setup, or volunteering 5. Return to membership meeting – Introduce yourself to the Board 6. Board votes – Your sponsor speaks on your behalf, board approves

Initiation & Annual Fees:

• •Initiation: $100 (one-time)
• •Annual membership: $150 (prorated monthly, starts May 1st)
• •Active Duty Military/Coast Guard: 50% discount on annual dues, NMA obligation waived
• •NMA exemption: $150 annual option to skip volunteer requirements

• •What You're Actually Paying For: Two 8-hour volunteer commitments per year (or work-parties waived if 65+). This funds the club since there's no paid staff. Members RSO the ranges, run events, maintain grounds, coach youth programs.

Gate access requires active membership in one of: - National Rifle Association (NRA) - California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA) - San Diego County Gun Owners Association (SDCGO)

If your NRA/CRPA/SDCGO membership lapses, your gate card will eventually stop functioning—intentional incentive to stay current.

Rifle and pistol ranges require an RSO present at all times during use. Members can earn NRA RSO certification and qualify on specific ranges by shadowing existing RSOs for 8 hours per range. Once certified, qualified members can open ranges and operate independently with 24-hour advance scheduling.

Trap and archery ranges operate without RSO requirement except during formal events.

"There's a social aspect to this club that's unlike most other ranges in the county."

Quarterly "All Ranges Open" events feature morning sporting clays, free lunch, and afternoon access to all ranges for members and their guests. Members indicate interest in specific disciplines (archery, pistol, rifle, shotgun), controlling which event invitations they receive. The extended-family atmosphere means help is available when needed.

Effective November 20, 2025, Sig Sauer P320 firearms permitted with restrictions. Check with RSO on duty for specific requirements.

LGRGC was established by WWII veterans in an era when military service was universal. That history shapes membership: active-duty military get 50% off dues and NMA waiver, but prior-service members don't get a separate discount (the assumption is everyone served back then). Prior-military shooters find themselves among their own.