San Luis Obispo Shooting Range Reopens After Year-Long Closure

The public range is back in business after contract issues with the previous operator.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The San Luis Obispo Shooting Range has reopened after being closed for over a year. The range was previously operated by a different company, but the contract was not renewed due to multiple violations. The new operator, San Luis Obispo Firearm and Safety Training (SLOFAST), says the range is now open to the general public with no membership required.

Why it matters

The shooting range closure had forced local residents and competitive shooters to travel farther to find a place to practice their sport. The reopening provides a more convenient and affordable option for the community.

The details

The San Luis Obispo Shooting Range closed in early 2025 after the contract with the previous operator was not renewed, citing multiple violations. The new operator, SLOFAST, says one of those violations was charging for memberships, which is against California regulations. SLOFAST states the range is now open to the general public with no memberships required. Competitive shooters like Brenda Austin are happy to have the range back, as it offers longer distance ranges compared to her home club.

  • The San Luis Obispo Shooting Range closed in early 2025.
  • The range reopened on Friday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Robert Brennan

Treasurer of San Luis Obispo Firearm and Safety Training (SLOFAST), the new operator of the shooting range.

Ray Griffigh

A resident of Morro Bay who used to travel to Santa Barbara to shoot when the range was closed.

Brenda Austin

A competitive shooter who has competed at the San Luis Obispo Shooting Range in the past and is happy to have it reopened.

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What they’re saying

“A social outlet was lost for a lot of people to come out and talk to people with familiar interests, and now that the range is back open again, it's good to see people coming back out and see laughing, socializing. It's why we did what we did.”

— Robert Brennan, Treasurer, San Luis Obispo Firearm and Safety Training (SLOFAST) (ksby.com)

“We drove to Santa Barbara pretty much, which is quite a way away from Morro Bay, but yeah, we'd do that every weekend.”

— Ray Griffigh, Morro Bay Resident (ksby.com)

“Here it's about 420 yards and at my home range, which is in Richmond, California, the Richmond Rod and Gun Club, our greatest distance is 200 yards.”

— Brenda Austin (ksby.com)

What’s next

The new operator, SLOFAST, plans to offer classes to help teach people how to shoot, including both men's and women's classes.

The takeaway

The reopening of the San Luis Obispo Shooting Range provides a much-needed community resource for local residents and competitive shooters, who had to travel farther to find a place to practice their sport during the year-long closure. The new operator's commitment to keeping the range open to the general public, without requiring memberships, ensures greater accessibility for the entire community.