A private civilian gun club in Massachusetts wants Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to step in on the ongoing dispute between the club and nearby U.S. Army Garrison Fort Devens. The club said military officials there are ignoring judicial orders.
Gun club wins lawsuit over range access fees
The Fort Devens Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc. won its lawsuit against Fort Devens in March. The gun club sued the Army Reserve training forces area for violating several federal codes regarding civilian use of U.S. military gun ranges.
The club said its members were able to use the Fort Devens gun range on a monthly basis through December 2020 “free of charge because defendant waived any possible nominal fees that it could have charged.”
The lawsuit, Fort Devens Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc. v. U.S. Army Garrison Fort Devens, stated that fort officials began charging a range access fee of $250 in 2021, in violation of 10 U.S.C. § 7409.
The lawsuit also cited another federal statute that mandates the Army provide logistical support to the Civilian Marksmanship Program. The Fort Devens Rifle & Pistol Club, Inc. is an affiliate organization of the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
After a three-year court battle, the gun club won its judgment against Fort Devens in March 2025.
Club alleges ongoing violations post-judgment
In a letter dated June 3 addressed to Hegseth, gun club treasurer James Gettens asserted that Fort Devens officials are deliberately ignoring the court’s order.
Gettens claims fort officials are now charging non-DOD law enforcement agencies over $140 per range outing for access to portable restroom facilities, despite the fort paying only $2.29 per day per unit. He says these costs are ultimately passed on to taxpayers, even though all range operations, maintenance and personnel are fully funded through congressionally appropriated Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds.
Call for DOD attorney’s dismissal
The letter further asserts that Department of Defense civilian attorney John Hollis should be dismissed for ongoing misconduct. It alleges that Hollis obstructed the gun club’s January 2021 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, for which the club paid $1,056, yet reportedly received neither the requested documents nor confirmation of payment.
The club has submitted a motion seeking an order of contempt against officials at Fort Devens.
It is unclear if Fort Devens officials have received a copy of the letter.
Straight Arrow News was unable to reach representatives from the military base on Friday evening.