Recent disciplinary actions taken

Three Members Permanently Expelled; Two More Suspended in Four Recent Disciplinary Actions

Board of Directors Reinforces Non-negotiability of Safety Rules

The Mill Creek Board of Directors has convened four special executive sessions in the past four months to consider disciplinary action against club members for rules violations. The actions resulted in three members being permanently expelled from the club and two more serving temporary suspensions.

'One Five-Letter Word'

In case No. 1, two relatively new Mill Creek members were observed engaging in unsafe practices on the 15-Yard Pistol Range in early July. Both men were witnessed violating the rules that require warning devices or flags be activated while others are downrange and that prohibit handling a firearm while a shooter is downrange. In addition, one of the members involved was seen firing a prohibited shoulder-mounted firearm on the range, which is prohibited by the rules and noted by multiple signs across the 15-Yard Pistol Range.

After hearing testimony from both members, the board voted unanimously in closed session to permanently expel both members and revoke their club privileges. Board members who considered the case stressed the serious nature of the safety violations.

“Sometimes, we may start to sound like a broken record,” says Safety Director Marco Tapia, “but we have to take it very seriously every time we witness someone handling a firearm while another member is downrange.”

“There is simply too much at stake,” according to President Michael Borkon. “All it would take is one accidental discharge striking someone downrange, and the tragedy that resulted could potentially impact us all.”

In this case, the most consequential factor that convinced the board of directors that the infraction warranted expulsion was that both members were seen not only handling firearms, but actually firing on targets from the firing line while another shooter—a 10 year old child—was downrange, also firing on targets (as seen in the photos). Despite admission of fault by both members for violating club rules, the board felt that neither member expressed adequate appreciation for the gravity of the situation during their appearances before the board. While both admitted the violations and accepted responsibility, neither seemed particularly appreciative of the potential harm, especially in light of the girl's involvement. Board members felt they were left with no choice but to recognize the seriousness of the safety violation by expelling them.

“In my mind, the seriousness of this violation comes down to one important five-letter word,” says Legislative Director Paul Day: “C-H-I-L-D. When you are talking about a child being involved, you are suddenly dealing with the potential for an outcome here that could have been beyond tragic. It rises to a level that is simply unacceptable.”

In addition, member No. 2 involved in the incident using the shoulder-fired firearm had contacted a board member last year to specifically inquire whether the same firearm he was seen using was or was not allowed on the 15-Yard Range. He was told at the time it was not permitted, yet apparently chose to use it anyway.

Always just one incident away from being closed

A second incident that also resulted in expulsion and loss of membership occurred in mid-May, again on the 15-Yard Pistol Range. In that incident, a long-time member was seen handling firearms while people were downrange and failing to activate and heed range warning devices. In addition, the member was also seen tossing an empty ammunition box on the ground and then firing numerous shots at it. He was suspended shortly after the incident by Safety Director Tapia and was requested to appear before the board. Following several rounds of deliberation, the board voted—reluctantly, but unanimously—in mid-June to expel the member and permanently revoke his membership privileges.

In this case, the board consensus was that although the rule violations in question may not have in and of themselves warranted expulsion, the member had demonstrated a pattern of ignoring rules, including a previous suspension for firing a handgun on the High Power Range, resulting in bullets striking the ground outside the required impact berm area. Both incidents risk ricochet that could result in bullets leaving the property, which the board found unacceptable.

“In the past few years, we have seen increasing public scrutiny of ranges like ours and increased concern over stray shots,” says President Borkon. He references the resolution passed by the Johnson County, Kansas, Board of County Commissioners in 2021 making it illegal for a bullet to leave your property and land on another’s, even if no damage is done. He also noted that other established ranges in the area—the Pigeon Hill range near Saint Joseph, Missouri, and the Great Plains Precision Rifle Club in Ottawa, Kansas—have either been shut down or been threatened with shutdown over concerns about the safety of shot containment within the range facilities.

“All it takes is for one bullet to leave our range and end up in the wrong person’s driveway, and this facility could be out of business,” Mr. Borkon said. “We do not take lightly expelling an individual from this club, but we also have to recognize we have an obligation to protect this organization for the other 1,999 members and for future generations.”

Violators, please be aware

Unfortunately, the rules violations involved in the above incidents are not isolated events, notes Mr. Tapia. Two other members have also been recently suspended for a period of time—and one of the two had his privilege to bring guests to the club frozen for an entire year—for similar violations. The board of directors finds no pleasure in calling members before the board to answer for safety violations, he says, but the board is serious nonetheless that following all rules is critical to the safety of everyone who enjoys the range and the future of the organization.

Mr. Tapia cautions all members:

• If you are firing a shoulder-mounted firearm on the 15-Yard Pistol Range—whether you are shooting the club provided steel targets or not—you are violating the range rules and may be subject to suspension, or worse. Despite obvious signs prohibiting the practice, use of rifles on the 15-Yard range has become such a pervasive violation that the board may have little choice but to remove the popular club-provided steel targets there.
• Develop a habit to look downrange every time you handle your firearm, loaded or unloaded. Any handling of firearms while anyone is downrange is prohibited, and it is the “most egregiously violated” of all the range rules at Mill Creek, Mr. Borkon believes. The board is serious about encouraging compliance with this rule, he warns, and will continue to take disciplinary action against anyone found in violation, including revocation of membership and expulsion from the club. Members of the board also ask each of you to take this matter equally seriously. If you see anyone handling firearms while someone is downrange, using shoulder-mounted firearms on the 15-Yard Range, or any other safety violations, please point out the violation to your fellow member or report details of the range rule violations by using the incident reporting form on the club website, located here.

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