About Us
The Fort Larned Arms Association(FLAA) was established in the late 1970s, some of the original members were Gary Meserve, Ralph Fink, Jerry Stapleton, Jack Atteberry, Reed Peters, Paul Harris, Kim M. Beckwith to name a few. Originally the Larned Police Department Range, had not been used for some time and needed updating. Several original gun club members contacted the City of Larned to obtain permission to refurbish the range and bring it back to life, for the benefit of Larned shooting enthusiast and local and state Law Enforcement to include the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The City of Larned agreed to a maintenance lease renewable each year. The club was required to maintain the facility and provide access to local law enforcement for their qualification needs. Fort Larned Arms Association was incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in 1980, thanks to the help of Phil Martin a local attorney. In the same year FLAA became an NRA Affiliated club
There were two divisions of the club, one being the Trap Shooters and the other being the Pistol Shooters. After a few years of split bank accounts, it was decided to convert back to a single treasurer, Kim M. Beckwith. The club held annual pistol competitions, Trap Shoots before Pheasant season, Hunter Safety Classes and added a 22 Cal. Pistol Silhouette Range. This range was used for an annual event. John W. Yeager was in charge of what was called a father son shoot. The son or daughter would shoot the close targets at 25- and 50-yards and dad or mom would shoot the 75- and 100-yard targets all with rifles. It was well attended for around 4 years.
The trap club originally shot at a location just south of the Ward Feed Yard Office for quite a few years under the watchful eye of David Skelton. The original trap was his fathers and the Gun Club purchased it from David for use there for around 5 years. It was eventually moved back to the city property and placed in the old trap house built originally by the Police Department. In 1985, it was decided that a new trap house should be built and a new concrete trap house, which, is still in use today by the club as well as the 4-H shooting sports program and High School Trap Team ran by Larry Skelton. Bob Keast was very instrumental in the building of the trap house.
The pistol shooters had shot bullseye indoors for a time at the National Guard Armory until issues of poor ventilation required a change. Through the years pistol shooters have shot several different disciplines, Bullseye, Police Combat, NRA Action Pistol, Steel Plates, Bowling Pins and IDPA concealed carry. We have quite an array of steel targets for anyone to use at the range.
We have had a lot of help from people of the local community, the City of Larned, Pawnee County Commissioners, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Ward Feed Yard. Ward Feed Yard assisted in the new 150-yard range and re-positioning our 100-yard range, Nolan Eakin has put in numerous hours moving dirt and concrete work. Larry Skelton and Rock Foster have provided any help we need with steel and welding targets many times.
The club has furthered the shooting careers of several shooters with two members of a three member team winning a NRA National Championship Several times and placing 2nd and 3rd in the Nation on several other occasions and two National Senior Bianchi Cup Champion and a World Team NRA Action Pistol Champion member.
New renovations were completed with the help of the NRA Range Staff with the raising of the rifle and pistol berm with the help of Ward Feed Yard and the City of Larned. To date we have had several people do a good job, such as Kim M. Beckwith, Noland Eakin, Larry Skelton, and Jim Gaede has mowed, built steel targets and he also keep the mower running!
The FLAA continues its commitment to a safe and fun firearms experience. Apply today and join the fun.
