Going to the shooting range...

[DayoftheGreek]

Hello TB,

Recently after getting home from college I have been incredibly bored and with nothing to do during the day until I start my job in a week or two. This leaves me some time to get some fun things done before my summer slips away. To cut to the chase, I have always wanted to go shooting.

Now, I am 18, live in NJ, do not own a gun, and have no shooting experience whatsoever.

My question to you is this. Do most shooting ranges have some sort of "First time shooter" thing where I could rent a gun, buy some ammo, and have a quick instruction lesson or certification safety test at the range and be shooting that day? How much money would I have to throw down on average ($50, $100?) to go shooting.

I really have no idea how this stuff works so if you gun enthusiasts could fill me in, that would be great. If it matters, I would like to shoot handguns or rifles.

Thanks!

 

[syciprider]

Here's a list of ranges I got from Google.

http://maps.google.com/maps?sourcei...&oi=local_group&resnum=1&ct=more-results&cd=1

Rules vary by range and locale. best to call the facility.

 

[soulgeezer]

Your 18, so the following applies:

In NJ, unless you can a friend or relative with an FID (Firearm Purchaser Identification Card) to agree to go to the range with you, you will probably need to apply for an FID and buy a rifle of your own before going.

In NJ, any transfer of firearms, including loaning or renting, requires that all requisite paperwork from the municipality and state be filled out before taking possession of a firearm. Unless you've got an FID, you can't legally possess or fire a gun in any situation.

However, if you go with a friend or relative and nobody's looking, you can probably put a few rounds downrange.

To get an FID, you need to go to the Police Department in your town and fill out an application. Then, you have to be fingerprinted twice and have NJ State Police and FBI background checks done. All of these applications carry charges, which come out to something in the area of $40.

The application and background check process takes about three months. Once you have your FID, you can legally purchase rifles and shotguns. If you want to purchase handguns, you have to purchase a separate permit for each handgun you want to buy, be fingerprinted again (twice), and pay the associated fees (about $25, money orders only). These permits also take about three months to be processed.

Most people apply for two handgun permits at the same time they apply for the FID, as it cuts down of the processing time.

After you get your FID and purchase your firearms, find a local range that offers an NRA basic firearms course. It's a very informative course and will get you on your way to being a safe shooter.

So, still want to go shooting next week?

 

[soulgeezer]

Oh, I should have mentioned...

If you go to Pennsylvania, you can rent a gun, buy some ammo, and have at it. But, if you don't have any experience, I don't recommend doing this.

Find a shooting course at a PA range. Then, you should be all set.

Happy shooting!

 

[Embryodead]

should have joined the boy scouts, could have done it all for free and without any instruction ;-)

 

[DayoftheGreek]

Thanks Geezer, thats exactly the reply I was looking for.

Yes, I still would like to go shooting sometime next week, but theres a good chance it will not be in NJ. Its a bit more of a hassle than I imagined. Gosh.

However, I may apply for some of those permits now being as I am going to be in this state for a while.

Thanks again for the massively helpful information.

 

[Aaron Saunders]

Holy detailed information, Batman. That's quite a process to own a gun, eh? (EDIT: That is to say, I didn't know it was that difficult in NJ...but I totally support all the regulations!)

Any Canadian shooters know the rules for Ontario? I know handguns aren't available to citizens but rifles and shotguns are quite common, especially around these parts (lots of people here go hunting.)

 

[FL Knifemaker]

I would join the NRA and take some NRA classes. Their website has all the info, range locations, etc. It won't cost much.

 

[Tsal]

Holy detailed information, Batman. That's quite a process to own a gun, eh?

In Finland, you have to do the same stuff - however, you have to have a 'believable reason' for owning a weapon, such as shooting for sport.

This basicly means you have to first: know a person who has a licence and belongs into a shooting/hunting club who can recommend you to the club. After that, you need to join the club and be active for a while, so that they club can write a letter of recommendation to the police.

And after that, it's similar paperwork than in NJ for registering the first gun - however, you need to have the gun licenced to your ownership BEFORE the weapon can be transferred to your posession by the salesperson, and you need the paperwork for every separate firearm.

So it's not easy even in the countries that have "a lot" of registered firearms, I believe Finland is the top European nation when it comes to guns per capita. They are mostly rifles and shotguns, though.

 

[flakeh]

Any Canadian shooters know the rules for Ontario? I know handguns aren't available to citizens but rifles and shotguns are quite common, especially around these parts (lots of people here go hunting.)

In Ontario it is legal to own several handguns with one permit I believe. The downside is, they can only hold a maximum of 7 rounds in the magazine.

Think that sucks? for semi-automatic rifles, you may only hold 5 rounds on each magazine.

 

[Aaron Saunders]

You're right, I misunderstood my dad. That said, according to Wiki, you can have up to 10 rounds in a pistol magazine.

Invalid Link Removed

Looking at the regulations on handguns (and I'm pretty sure we don't have CCW permits) I'm going to say "screw that" and if I ever end up taking up shooting as a hobby, I'll just get a rifle or a shotgun. My uncle used to be quite avid about it, maybe I'll ask him eventually.

 

[Diggler]

Also, many ranges have a policy that they won't rent guns to anyone unless you have a partner. People would go to the range alone, rent a gun, and blow their brains out on the firing line.

 

[Geoff St. Germaine]

You're right, I misunderstood my dad. That said, according to Wiki, you can have up to 10 rounds in a pistol magazine.

Invalid Link Removed

Looking at the regulations on handguns (and I'm pretty sure we don't have CCW permits) I'm going to say "screw that" and if I ever end up taking up shooting as a hobby, I'll just get a rifle or a shotgun. My uncle used to be quite avid about it, maybe I'll ask him eventually.

Yeah, there are no CCW permits. You can own a handgun though, it's just a tremendous hassle. When the new regulations on handguns came in my father sold both of his personal handguns. It's unfortunate since he uses them for bear protection when he's guiding caribou hunters in the NWT. I guess he can still go shooting his service pistol when he wants.