I'd be happy to support such a fee, as long as it didn't go into the general fund. That being said, I realize that there have been cuts everywhere but would posit that the range is indeed a "necessary" government expenditure. Especially when the government effectively curtails the exercise of a civil right in doing so. The government requires range time in order to get the necessary affidavit to purchase a handgun and then starts cutting the time the range is available for those activities. It is similar to the Chicago case where after McDonald the "new" requirements for owning a gun in the city included requiring range time for the permit but prohibitting a range in the city limits. It's not a poll tax, and I hate to throw out so quickly the "slippery slope argument" but it doesn't take much to see such an eventuality.
As for offering solutions, how about we get rid of one (or more) or the RSOs? The savings realized would go toward keeping the range open longer. I don't see how that would be too difficult since in reality there are only two ranges that use RSOs. The rest of the venues are run by private organizations. In addition, I've heard that a portion of State funds are mandated to be spent on art. That, IMHO, should be discontinued. Art is not necessary, at least in terms of the government buying it with my tax dollars.
And, for that part, neither is golf. So what say we shut down and sell all those muni courses so we can reallocate those funds.....
I don't know how many RSOs there are, but if it's more than 3, it's too many.