Volunteer
Rifle & Pistol Club has been providing quality range activities since our
founding on June 16th, 1930.It is our mission to organize, conduct,
and supervise safe shooting activities and range operations. We believe the
best way to achieve this goal is to never compromise safety, and always be professional,
friendly, helpful, understanding and honest.
The
Volunteer Rifle and Pistol Club was founded on June 16th, 1930. It shares
the use of John Sevier Range, which is a Federal military reservation, with
the Tennessee Army National Guard, as well as, other branches of the US military
establishment. Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers is the responsible agency
for the administration of this Federal facility. VRPC has a permit to use the
facility from the Federal Government on an annual basis. It is through
the generosity of the Federal Government that VRPC enjoys the use of the John
Sevier Range, therefore, all members are guests of the Federal Government and
should treat the facilities accordingly. It is the responsibility of all
members to conduct themselves as a responsible guest, keeping the
facilities clean and accident free. Further, VRPC members are expected
by their hosts to enhance and maintain the facility, and active participation
in this duty is expected of each and every member.
History
John
Sevier Range (JSR) has a significant
amount of American & Military History associated with its present location.
JSR is approximately 7 miles north of downtown Knoxville at 2327 Rifle Range
Road; easily accessible from Interstates I-40 & I-75. During the Revolutionary
War, volunteers from the Tennessee Territory fought against the British in NC,
VA and TN. John Sevier, TN¡¯s first official Governor (1796-1801, 1803-1809),
was very popular and Knoxville served as the state capital until 1812.
In 1879, the Military began using this property as a rifle range and was deeded
to the US Government in 1907. JSR was used during the Spanish-American War for
firearms training and as a Prisoner of War camp during WW1. As military
training continued at this location and the need for extended stays were frequent,
it was formally referred to as ¡°Camp John Sevier.¡± The Tennessee Army National
Guard managed to ¡°operate and maintain a hunter education/firing range facility
for public use¡±. The JSHEC was annexed by the City of Knoxville on August
15, 2000 ad zoned as A-1 General Agricultural. The JSHEC consists of 123.1 acres
entirely fenced and located northwest of the intersection of Grove Drive/Mynatt
Road and Rifle Range Road. In addition to Volunteer Rifle and Pistol Club (VRPC),
Smokey Mountain Archers (SMA) has an actively chartered club with separate indoor/outdoor
ranges and established shooting