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Posted: 1/23/2002 6:35:24 AM EDT
Well I finally turned 18 a couple months ago, and had my father sell me my AR for $1.  So I finally get a day to go down to the local indoor range (only rifle range within an hour) to sight in my new carry handle.  So I watch the safety video and start signing the papers saying I did so and understand blahblahblah.  So I give her my liscense for the slot and she asks me how old I am, I tell her 18.  (here goes)

"Well our insurance doesn't let anyone under 18 shoot by themselves.  You have to be 21."

"I'm only shooting a rifle, I own it."

"it doesn't matter, I could let you shoot if you had someone 21 with you, you can bring anyone off the street for that matter, but I can't let you shoot without someone over 21"
(here's the whopper)
"especially (eyes my AR) an assault rifle"
(ignoring comment)
"Listen I'm in the military, I've had training with an M16."
"Sorry sweetie"

And I leave.  What bullshit!  I finally get old enough to buy my own friggin' gun and then find out I have to wait 3 more years to shoot it within an hour of my own house? (except Saturday from 9am-1pm about 45 minutes from my house, but it is extremely busy and is normally limited to 1 hour.  

Anyways, does anybody know any ranges around CHarlotte NC?  (That aren't full of bs?)

Well, it is good to be back (computer went down long ago and just found the library has them for free, yay!)

James
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 6:40:06 AM EDT
[#1]
Are you talking about Shooter's Express? I used to live in Charlotte and shoot there a lot. It's an indoor range but you can shoot rifles there. I don't know of any outdoor ranges in that area. I do my shooting at a range near Salisbury now.
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 6:42:31 AM EDT
[#2]
Pay for my flight and my ammo, and I'll take you shooting "sweetie".  [:D]  Just kidding.

Another fine example of the continued decline of common sense.
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 6:45:02 AM EDT
[#3]
Yeah that's them.  I've shot there before with no problem but I guess no more without a chaperone.  (I thought those were for dates when you were 12?)
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 6:46:02 AM EDT
[#4]
I had an experience like that back in the 80's.  I went to the York Outdoors Show and spent a chunk of change shooting rented S&W .22's at the Chet Patterson's Sporting Goods booth.

Then the week after the show I stopped by Chet Patterson's Sporting Goods shop and indoor range on Market Street.  The same guy who rented the S&W to me the week before refused to rent it to me again, because I was only 18!

I think it had something to do with insurance coverage at the show vs. the shop, but it really pi$$ed me off and I never spent a cent there following that incident.

If I were you I'd vote with my wallet.
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 6:50:17 AM EDT
[#5]
Bummer.  If they are being straight with you about their insurance policy it's realllllly lame they don't have an exception for people with military training.

But it is their right to refuse to allow you to shoot.  I'd look for another range, or find some nice spot outdoors.
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 6:52:16 AM EDT
[#6]
Try CRPC [url]http://www.cr-pc.org/[/url] south of Charlotte near the SC line.
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 6:58:57 AM EDT
[#7]
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 7:34:07 AM EDT
[#8]
rifleer1, I'm only about 75 miles from Charlotte, NC.  I still haven't found a close indoor range that allows AR's.  The two indoor ranges I've been to don't allow "military-style" rifles.  While it's frustrating to be turned away, because you're 18, at least you have hope of shooting there in a few years.  I'm 73 and a vet, and I still can't shoot my AR at those two ranges.  If you get really desperate, I know of a range about an hour drive each way southwest of you that is unmanned (so there is no hassle).  Just ask for the directions.z
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 9:18:34 AM EDT
[#9]
I don't know what it's like in NC, but when I lived out west you could go out in to the woods in many places and shoot. No range required. No age limit. No "assault weapon" restrictions. No rapid fire restrictions. Not only that, on November 1st, my buddies and I had a great tradition. We would load up our trucks with dirt cheap pumpkins left over from Halloween, take them out to no mans land and engage in the Great Pumpkin Shoot. 200+ pumpkins would end up blown to pieces. Lots of fun.

Check to see what the rules about shooting outdoors are in your area. You might be surprised.
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 9:29:47 AM EDT
[#10]
Wow that sucks, but I guess the range is just covering thier butts due to the majority of immature 18 yo's and you unfortunately pay the price.  I guess I am lucky here on Long Island in NY we have several places to shoot and I constantly see young people there.  Many places I see the whole family with boys and girls, some as young as 8 and 9 out for a family day of punching paper together.  Its strange but I guess I always assumed(very dangerous I know) that a more rural state like NC would have  mmore opportunities for people to shoot when in fact i may be the fortunate one here in the middle of suburban sprawl that long island is.  Go figure!     [heavy]
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 9:56:10 AM EDT
[#11]
That sucks, but I think it might be the standard insurance package for indoor ranges because everyone I have ever been to has had the same rule. I am in the same position as you until this Dec. when I turn 21, and I have been back and forth over the rule. At first I thought it was stupid, then I went to college and saw how most 18 year olds act, and now that some of my friends are 21 I am not so sure that three years makes a difference.

Kyle
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 11:38:26 AM EDT
[#12]
That sucks.  Another thought, don't try to buy any porn at the adult store either. :D  However, they would probably let you do that.
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 11:45:52 AM EDT
[#13]
An HOUR DRIVE!?

Where the heck do you guys live that it takes an HOUR to get to the range?

I can get to my pistol/short range rifle in about 11 minutes and my long range rifle in about 30.  Heck I bet I can drive to 3 ranges in 3 different towns in 1 hour!

That has got to be rough.
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 11:57:22 AM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:
An HOUR DRIVE!?

Where the heck do you guys live that it takes an HOUR to get to the range?

I can get to my pistol/short range rifle in about 11 minutes and my long range rifle in about 30.  Heck I bet I can drive to 3 ranges in 3 different towns in 1 hour!

That has got to be rough.
View Quote


GSTN, I cordially invite you to BITE ME!!! [:D]
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 11:59:12 AM EDT
[#15]
What a crock.  If you are 18, you are an adult in the eyes of the law.  Heres a novel idea.  Why not treat 18 year olds as such and hold them responsible for their actions?  I have seen 18 year olds who were extremely mature, and I know some 35 year olds who act 12.  Now if said 35 year old can shoot and acts the ass, they would ban him right?  How about the same recourse for the 18 year old ADULT?  That pissed me off.
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 12:02:50 PM EDT
[#16]
Can the NRA help you with this?  Don't they provide insurance for range accidents?

I now both of the ranges I belong to are cheaper for NRA members.
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 12:11:30 PM EDT
[#17]
Quoted:
rifleer1, I'm only about 75 miles from Charlotte, NC.  I still haven't found a close indoor range that allows AR's.  The two indoor ranges I've been to don't allow "military-style" rifles.  While it's frustrating to be turned away, because you're 18, at least you have hope of shooting there in a few years.  I'm 73 and a vet, and I still can't shoot my AR at those two ranges.  If you get really desperate, I know of a range about an hour drive each way southwest of you that is unmanned (so there is no hassle).  Just ask for the directions.z
View Quote


Don't Allow "Military style" rifles? Thank you NRA!
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 12:22:03 PM EDT
[#18]
Hey, at least you can get an abortion "on-demand". Janet Reno would have even sent a few Marshals along just to make sure nobbody tried to change your mind!
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 12:26:47 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
I don't know what it's like in NC, but when I lived out west you could go out in to the woods in many places and shoot. No range required. No age limit. No "assault weapon" restrictions. No rapid fire restrictions
View Quote


Still the same way here in Cali M4 We go on camping trips in the wildernest where it's a free 4 all as long as you are 200 yards(not enough 4 my goodies) from any camp site. Most of the forest rangers leave shooters alone as long as they are not abusing and they are not police so they don't try to inspect every weapon. I just wish the gun laws in Cali were as open as the outdoor shooting.
[uzi]
[sniper]
[50]
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 1:45:44 PM EDT
[#20]
I live about 15 mins. from Shooters Express,in fact I was just gettin' ready to go there . I'm gonna ask them about it. My brother used to shoot there at 18{a few years ago}.

For outdoor shooting I usually go to the Uwharrie Natl. Forrest. No range master or anything like that. They got about a dozen benches ,about 100 yd rifle range and a pistol range about 30 yds. + or-. Kinda long ride (about an hour and a half from Gastonia) but we're usually there most of the day.[pistol]
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 2:06:49 PM EDT
[#21]
Rifleer, you have mail
Link Posted: 1/23/2002 2:21:50 PM EDT
[#22]
Don't Allow "Military style" rifles? Thank you NRA!
View Quote

It wasn't the NRA.  According to the manager (well I think he's the manager, he's by far the oldest guy in the place), it was because they had trouble with the police harassing people at the range.  He said that he had to choose between the customer with an SKS that would shoot it only a few times versus the police officers that buy duty equipment from them.  BTW, the range I'm talking about is Shooter's Choice on Sunset Blvd in Columbia, SC.z
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