Our History
Built by Members
Sustained by Tradition
The Lakeland Rifle & Pistol Club began in 1968 when a handful of Polk County shooters decided to create a safe, well-run place to practice and enjoy the shooting sports. At the time, there were few local options, so they built their own — through teamwork, sweat, and shared values.
From the start, safety and respect were the cornerstones. In those early days, membership grew through personal invitation - founders knew every member personally and trusted them to uphold the safety standards that kept the community strong. That close-knit foundation built a quiet but enduring community — one that valued responsibility over recognition.
Growing the Range
Within a decade, those founders had secured 28 acres southeast of Lakeland and built rifle and pistol ranges, trap and skeet fields, and later five-stand and sporting clays. Over the years, new facilities and upgrades have been added, but the same principle remains: the range belongs to its members, and its members take care of it.
Keeping the Club Strong
Today the club has nearly 400 members, with a goal of reaching around 500 — large enough to thrive, small enough to stay personal. The Central Florida Gun Show, held the third weekend every January, May, and September, remains the club’s primary source of funding.
Day-to-day operations are handled by a small but essential staff — a Club Administrator, a Facilities & Maintenance Technician, and a Groundskeeper who keeps the property looking its best. Their steady work ensures that the ranges are safe and the grounds are well kept.
Around them is a community of members who help in many ways — some volunteer at the gun shows or matches, others lend a hand with projects, or mentoring new shooters. The Board and committees are all volunteer, and member involvement helps the club stay vibrant and connected.
Whether someone contributes time or simply respects the rules and the property, that shared sense of responsibility is what has always made LRPC special: people who care about keeping the club strong, safe, and welcoming.
Continuing the Tradition
Like many long-standing organizations, our membership has evolved. We’ve lost good friends through the years — and gained new ones who bring fresh energy, families, and ideas. The next generation will inherit the work of keeping LRPC alive and strong.
That’s why every applicant completes a Level-2 background check, safety training, and time on the range with members — not just as a requirement, but as an introduction to the culture that holds this place together.
Because LRPC isn’t a business. It’s a community built on trust, safety, and respect.
Some members teach, some help maintain, some simply enjoy a safe, well-run range — and all are part of the same legacy. Without people who care enough to sustain it, it wouldn’t exist. With them, it can keep thriving for generations to come.
Founded on respect. Grounded in safety.
Sustained by those who care enough to keep it going.