Yes, Millcreek is Open

Yes, Millcreek is Open

Plans to remain open for individual use

Since authorities in Kansas City, Missouri, Jackson County, Missouri, and Wyandotte and Johnson County, Kansas, issued a joint public health order on March 22 ordering all citizens to stay in their homes to try to slow the spread of novel coronavirus, Millcreek has received numerous inquiries about the club's status during the 30-day order.

Your Board of Directors met by teleconference on March 23 and voted to take no action to restrict individual members' access to the club facilities. The following factors influenced that decision:

• To be clear, the board recognizes the order is not voluntary. It carries the force of law founded on local government's recognized right to protect citizens from a health risk it considers an extreme contagious threat to the population. However, this particular order does allow exceptions for what it deems "essential activities." Even though those essential activities listed in the order do not specifically include firearms recreation or training, the order does specifically permit leaving your home "to engage in outdoor activity." The order lists only biking, walking, hiking and running as examples, but at the same time, it specifically states those examples are not the only examples of permitted essential outdoor activity. Therefore, it is the position of the Board of Directors that the activity associated with using an outdoor shooting range would qualify as essential outdoor activity.
• In addition, it should be understood that although the order includes an extensive list of "essential businesses" that citizens may leave home to either frequent as customers or work in as employees, the order does not mandate that any business close its doors--essential or non-essential. Instead, the order places the legal responsibility on the individual citizen to decide whether a business he has chosen to leave home to frequent qualifies as an essential business. It is the opinion of the board that it should take no action to interfere with any member's ability to access the grounds of Millcreek Rifle Club should he decide it qualifies as an essential business.
• The public order also categorically exempts first responders and law enforcement personnel. Because of extensive use of Millcreek Rifle Club by the Johnson County law enforcement community, the board felt any attempt to restrict access to the ranges could pose a significant risk of interfering with necessary first responder and law enforcement firearms related training. 

Because the Johnson County order prohibits any public gathering of more than 10 people, the board elected to continue the restrictions on matches and events until the order expires at midnight on April 24, or until the order is lifted. Vice President Michael Borkon is doing his utmost to reschedule as many events as possible to later in the year. The board asks your patience in the process.

Please remember that if you do choose to avail yourself of the essential outdoor activity provided by your Millcreek Rifle Club outdoor ranges, be sure to follow these contagion-prevention measures as mandated by the order:

• Maintain a 6-foot distance from all other people while you are there.
• Make use of available hand sanitizer and other sanitizing products.
• Watch the website for details on when the facility remains open and how best to reach us and continue services by phone or remotely

For more information, click these links:

• Kansas City, Missouri's, public order
• Frequently asked questions about the KCMO order
• Johnson County's public order