Shooting Ranges?? Gun Licence?

leef78 · 02-03-2006, 13:32

Hi all,

I was wondering about shooting ranges in this country (handguns etc) do we have any? do you need a licence? if so how do you get one? any info would be much appreciated. (and no... im not a nutcase looking to shoot anyone)

just looking to have a go at it.

Cheers
Lee

**Derek S** · 02-03-2006, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by leef78

I was wondering about shooting ranges in this country (handguns etc) do we have any?

As far as I know we don't. The only ones are police/army ones etc. and even our olympic pistol shooting team have to train abroad

EDIT: For handguns. There are still quite a number of rifle ranges and shooting clubs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leef78

do you need a licence?

To own weapons you would.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leef78

if so how do you get one?

Apply for a firearms licence from your local police force. There is a charge for this and any weapons have to be kept securely in locked cabinets etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by leef78

just looking to have a go at it.

You might want to try clay pigeon shooting instead. There are plenty of places across the UK. You don't need a licence to try that.

bopdude · 02-03-2006, 13:38

The quick answer is 'yes' and plenty of them, google for them, it brings up 100's of results

02-03-2006, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by leef78

I was wondering about shooting ranges in this country (handguns etc) do we have any? do you need a licence? if so how do you get one?

It should be pointed out that handguns are now illegal in the UK so you can't get to shoot one or get a licence to own one.

homealone · 02-03-2006, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by bopdude

The quick answer is 'yes' and plenty of them, google for them, it brings up 100's of results

like this one

http://www.marplerifleandpistolclub.org.uk/

leef78 · 02-03-2006, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

like this one

http://www.marplerifleandpistolclub.org.uk/

Haha, thats the one I just googled

Looks pretty good, I think I'll give them a ring. Thanks
Lee

Aragorn · 02-03-2006, 14:24

I used to shoot many years ago - pre-Dunblane. Mostly clay pigeon, but also full bore handguns and rim fire rifles. Never got very accurate with the handguns and rifles, but good fun shooting a .357 Magnum or 9mm Glock.
Clay pigeon is great fun and you can still own your own gun (in a locked steel cabinet!). Even tried black powder shotguns and firing a handgun with shot-filled cartridges!

Xaccers · 02-03-2006, 14:44

Unless you're despirate for the feel of shooting with real bullets, have you considered airsoft?
The guns are realistic, pistols even "blow back" with every shot, and you have a wider range of guns to choose from.
You don't need a licience, just to be 18, and keep them in a sealed container (bag or box), and unloaded when in transit.
They're safe, although shooting glasses should be worn, and you can use them in your back garden as long as you're not within 15m of a main road.

www.airsoftarmoury.co.uk

zovat · 02-03-2006, 16:43

Just to clarify..

You need a license to own a firearm (Now only rifles and muzzle loading pistols are legal) this is not the same as needing a license to go and try one at a legal rifle club.

There are a number of clubs that hold their own weapons and will allow you to try the sport (for a fee of course) without having to purchase your own.

Kliro · 02-03-2006, 17:02

Yeah, you can, my cousins 18, and shoots a rifle at clay pigeons in the UK, seems like theres a lot of them.

punky · 02-03-2006, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Unless you're despirate for the feel of shooting with real bullets, have you considered airsoft?
The guns are realistic, pistols even "blow back" with every shot, and you have a wider range of guns to choose from.
You don't need a licience, just to be 18, and keep them in a sealed container (bag or box), and unloaded when in transit.
They're safe, although shooting glasses should be worn, and you can use them in your back garden as long as you're not within 15m of a main road.

www.airsoftarmoury.co.uk

Is airsoft any more powerful than regular airguns/bb guns?

I had one as a kid and it was totally useless. You can see the 'round' bend in mid air after leaving the barrel due to wind or air pressure. Absolutely useless for target shooting, and just about anything really.

I do love real firearms shooting. I do it in the US whenever I can, but might start doing it here. Only trouble is I prefer semi-pistols. Are they still allowed at ranges?

WHISTLED · 02-03-2006, 17:38

Quote:

Is airsoft any more powerful than regular airguns/bb guns?

I think a sneeze moves faster than an airsoft pellet.

Think its more for people who were not allowed to play with toy guns when they were kids.

Check this guy out.

http://http://airsoftsniper.darc.net/main/page1.htm

Xaccers · 02-03-2006, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by punky

Is airsoft any more powerful than regular airguns/bb guns?

I had one as a kid and it was totally useless. You can see the 'round' bend in mid air after leaving the barrel due to wind or air pressure. Absolutely useless for target shooting, and just about anything really.

I do love real firearms shooting. I do it in the US whenever I can, but might start doing it here. Only trouble is I prefer semi-pistols. Are they still allowed at ranges?

rassumfrassumbloodybbgunsgrrrr

what most people call a bbgun we call a cheap piece of poo springer, you have to cock them every single time you fire, they're plastic, chav's use them to look bling, they're the reason the goverment wants to ban the sale and purchase of replica guns (but not the ownership...), and frankly aren't powerful enough to shoot their way out of a wet paper bag.
They fire with a muzzle energy of less than 0.5J

Airsoft guns on the other hand can fire over 2J, however not legally in this country.
The forensics sciences service decided that penetrative power required to pierce the softest tissue such as an eyeball at 2 inches is 1.35J (although the Norther Ireland dept found it was 2J so I guess the Irish have tougher eyeballs).
Above that and it is classed as an air rifle and as such, illegal to shoot anyone with.
Therefore most airsoft guns fire around 1J.
Pistols which run on gas depend on the gas used (134a or propane) and the ambient temperature.

A friend of mine also trains police and security forces around the world how to raid buildings etc, and should be arranging an open day for us at a police shooting range.

WHISTLED · 02-03-2006, 18:48

Quote:

what most people call a bbgun we call a cheap piece of poo springer

Do you soot plastic BB in airsoft? Yes? Then would that make it a BB gun?

Marge · 02-03-2006, 18:54

I went to a shooting range in the US and discovered I was a crack shot, this is the girl who struggles to get a dart in the board so it was all a bit of a mystery

If you can go and do it then it's well worth it but be prepared for a lot of noise and fun