Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a shooting range located in close proximity to residential homes?

We’ve been in this location since the 1940s.
 We provided feedback to the City of Redmond when planning the development around our club in the early 1990s (Willows Crest) and again in the 2016 (Rose Hill). The City examiner responded as follows to our comments on the Rose Hill development (full document)

"However, the ISA comments are well-taken, and present a real-life consideration that future residents may want to factor into their decision to live in the proposed subdivision. It is a classic case of “buyer beware”. All neighborhoods have their unique issues, for instance, some have traffic problems, others might be prone to bad smells from a nearby farm or business operation, others have bad soils or rocks that are hard to build on or around, and others have ugly, rundown structures on surrounding sites. In this instance, the Examiner observed clear signage on ISA property, noting the presence of shooting activities that could cause noise, or similar disturbances. Future homeowners and residents would be well-served if they do their research and become familiar with the area, and their existing neighbors." 

Who are your members?

We have been a proud member of this  community since the late 1940s:

Our  membership includes individuals from various professions, such as doctors, lawyers, law enforcement officers, military personnel, business leaders, software engineers, and tradespeople. About half of the members reside in Redmond, and total membership has remained consistent since the early 1990s

Have you added new ranges to your property?

No, we have not added any new ranges.
The only changes made have been safety-related improvements, including a $60,000 WA state government grant in the mid-1990s and ongoing investments funded by our membership. These upgrades are part of our commitment to maintaining a safe, responsible, and well-managed facility.

Have your activities increased?

No — in fact, our activities have decreased.

• Membership has remained stable between 450–500 members.
• We now operate under a strict members-only and invited guest policy and no longer allow law enforcement or outside agencies to use the facility.
• Our Training classes have been significantly reduced — from monthly to only 2–4 times per year.

Additionally, the number of individual shooting sessions has naturally decreased by approximately one-third over the past four years.

Have your activities become louder?

No — they have become quieter.

• 80% of usage is now limited to pistols and small-caliber sporting rifles.
• Larger hunting rifles account for only about 5% of total use.

What has changed is the environment beyond our property line. New residential development has removed previously existing trees and foliage that once provided natural sound absorption. According to a sound engineer we consulted, this has altered how sound travels — causing it to reflect upward and outward. Unfortunately, this change is beyond our control.

Are your range operations safe?

Yes — our range operations meet and exceed national safety standards.
Safety is the foundation of everything we do. Our procedures are designed to ensure that every person on our range is qualified, informed, and accountable.

Here’s how we maintain an exceptionally safe environment:

Strict Member Sponsorship: All new members must be personally sponsored by an existing member in good standing

• Comprehensive Safety Education: Every applicant must pass:
• An online safety exam
• An in-person safety evaluation led by a certified Range Officer
• Guest Supervision and Training:
• All guests are directly supervised by their hosting member
• Guests must complete a safety orientation before using any range facilities

• Background Screening:
• All prospective members undergo a background check
• We do not allow anyone with a disqualifying criminal or behavioral history to join

• Member Accountability:
• Members are held personally responsible for the conduct of their guests
• Violations of our rules lead to suspension or expulsion

Our commitment to safety is not just policy — it’s culture. Every member is part of upholding that standard, and our incident history reflects the strength of that commitment.

"Interlake Sporting Association" is a 501(c)7 non-profit organization located in Redmond, Washington.

How to you ensure compliance with your safety rules?

Our range operations and member safety protocols meet the highest industry standards and are overseen by the Association’s Safety Officer, who is an NRA Instructor and Training Counselor and an NRA Chief Range Safety Officer. All processes must also be approved by our Board of Directors, which includes former police and US Army officers and members who hold a range of shooting sport certifications.

New Member Training Process

All prospective members must be sponsored by an existing Member who will educate them about our safety procedures during a supervised visit to our facility together. The applicant must complete a comprehensive online training course and watch an extensive and detailed training video (https://youtu.be/5jgFQMEo630). 

Prospective members must then pass a written exam and complete an in-person Safe Handling Exam (“SHE”) administered by a NRA certified instructor to demonstrate that they can safely handle a firearm, show firearms proficiency, maintain awareness of other persons and house near them, and comply with critical SOPs on our ranges. 

The final stage of their application process is a national criminal background check.  Our background check exceeds those performed by most non-profit organizations in the State of Washington.  To protect our members, guests, visitors and residents in the neighboring communities, we deny membership to and access to our facilities to persons who have unacceptable criminal backgrounds. If their background check report shows bad judgement or repeated failures to comply with the law, out of an abundance of caution, we deny their membership applications.  

Ongoing Member Training

Our Association requires all members to watch our training video, complete our online training course, and to pass an exam every year to maintain their membership. 

To emphasize our safety commitment, we publish a monthly newsletter with safety reminders. 

Members and guests must also register before they can use our facilities, and those login computers push safety notifications to them for their review and acknowledgement before they can use any of our ranges.  This process enables us to instantaneously inform Members and their guests of updated safety procedures before they use our facility. 

Guests

Every guest must (1) complete an extensive online guest training course; (2) watch and acknowledge our safety video: and (3) pass a written test before using our facilities. This requirement applies every time they come to our facility. Members who fail to enforce these guest requirements are disciplined and are subject to loss of guest privileges up to termination of their membership. 

In addition, we have reduced the number of range users a Person in Charge (“PIC”) can supervise to two including themselves from the previous three. We have limited the total number of guests a member may bring during a visit to two to further enhance safety (2023/04).

Enforcement

Our entire property is covered with a camera system and our members are required to stop and report anything that is outside of our rules on the property. We have a zero tolerance policy and wil terminate the membership of any member who violated our safety rules

Meeting Community Needs and Legislative Mandates

Our club plays a crucial role in the community, as few regional facilities offer the type of specialized programs and training we provide. With HB 1163 mandating live-fire training starting in July 2027, our organization will become even more vital in ensuring city residents can meet these new requirements. We are dedicated to being a primary resource for law-mandated training, further reinforcing our commitment to public safety and responsible firearm practices.