Private Gun Range for private use questions on legalities. Suggestions on how to...

[FRB]

I have a close friend who is a farmer in Cat county. We are talking of building a gun range on his property. He own 80 acres and has plenty of room for said. We want to build a shelter with shooting tables and some room for hanging out. We would have friends over for friendly competition shooting on various targets.

Not taking anything anyone says here as legal advise, just as guidance.

Any suggestions as to what we may face doing this legally? Safety will be of utmost importance. No fees will be collected.

 

[spat]

We shoot all the time out at my uncle's place.

We haven't put up anything as extensive as what you are suggesting, but we did have a tent with a nice shooting bench and some outdoor carpet for the floor for a while.

Tent and carpet make policing brass a piece of cake.

If it's just a private facility and nothing commercial, I'd say just follow your basic firearms safety principles, and local codes and you should be fine.

Can't hurt to have decent homeowners insurance.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Be friendly and respectful with the neighbors. Be aware of any quirky local town ordinances.

 

[kev74]

Unless there is a local ordinance that is more strict, per NYS you can't shoot within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling without the owner's permission.

Other than that, maybe building permits for the structures.

 

[stokes]

Other than that, maybe building permits for the structures.

If you need a building permit, just tell them its a shed, not a shooting range.

 

[Mosinitis]

I have a close friend who is a farmer in Cat county. We are talking of building a gun range on his property. He own 80 acres and has plenty of room for said. We want to build a shelter with shooting tables and some room for hanging out. We would have friends over for friendly competition shooting on various targets.

Not taking anything anyone says here as legal advise, just as guidance.

Any suggestions as to what we may face doing this legally? Safety will be of utmost importance. No fees will be collected.

Contact NRA. They have all of the information on this subject. Dick Whitting is the person you need to get a hold of. He specializes in range development and the issues that come with it.

 

[FRB]

Some good tips so far thanks....

1. Home owners Insurance - check coverage
2. Building permit ( I have a good rapport with the CEO I am the Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman in my town - so I play that card
3. Neighbors - There is a Gun Club not far away, so often hear gun fire.
4. 500' from neighbor's dwelling is good to go. Much room here.
5. Town Code, I checked, the word gun is not found in the code!

 

[FRB]

I should say my friend is an old school farmer, raises pigs too. He would not give one rip about any law, but I and one of his workers are the ones investing in the range and we want to do it right and legal. So thank you for the feedback so far!

 

[Varmint]

Check out the dec website... If I remember correctly if you allow hunters/shooters on your land and you received payment for that privilege, you will be liable for any unfortunate accident...no compensation to you and the shooter is responsible. I have a range and thought about charging a fee. My son in law is an attorney and he said screw that you wouldn’t be able to afford the insurance. He also said that I to drop the haunted hayrides

 

[BDinPutnam]

Unless there is a local ordinance that is more strict, per NYS you can't shoot within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling without the owner's permission.

Other than that, maybe building permits for the structures.

And check local noise ordinances too.

Nothing in my town code says the word "firearm" but I'm pretty sure shooting after 8:00 PM is frowned upon, lights or no lights.

 

[C3D]

Rule 4.

 

[Varmint]

They don’t bother any one out here coon hunting after dark but if they were to stop to check your license and you are intoxicated they might confiscate your firearm and you will not get it back without an attorney...most of us do not mix alcohol with gunpowder but it does happen...Elmer out on his once a year let’s go killbilly something. We had a house shot out here and a guy just driving down the road get shot in his car

 

[cgrutt]

Get a copy of NRA source book for some guidance on range design, etc. This looks like an older version doubt much has changed https://airgunwarriors.com/resources/library/NRA_Range_Building_Source_Book_2004.pdf

May want to consider taking RSO course and develop Standard Operating Procedures and follow them while using range. Consider layout of land and what is beyond target area e.g., any residential areas, schools, etc? Build and maintain adequate berms. Where is nearest hospital / emergency care center? Have a plan including designating who/what/where/when etc will happen in event of accident. Take a penetrating trauma course and keep stocked first aid kit (including tourniquets/trauma pads/combat guaze, chest seals, etc) on hand. Take/update CPR training.

 

[spat]

And check local noise ordinances too.

Nothing in my town code says the word "firearm" but I'm pretty sure shooting after 8:00 PM is frowned upon, lights or no lights.

There are a lot of "unwritten rules".

"Don't do this, it isn't against the law, but if you do it we'll look long and hard and you can be sure we'll find *something* you're doing that is"....

 

[FRB]

Rule 4.

Okay....

4. Keep profanity to a minimum. Using it occasionally is not a problem. Using it 50 times in a post isn't acceptable. Be respectful that not everyone wants to see it all the time. Do not use profanity in thread titles at all.

 

[FRB]

And check local noise ordinances too.

Nothing in my town code says the word "firearm" but I'm pretty sure shooting after 8:00 PM is frowned upon, lights or no lights.

Thanks, I just did, there is a noise code and like most town laws very convoluted. As a ZBA Chairman one of the variances we do is Code interpretation - I wish bad lawyers were kept from writing code!

 

[C3D]

Okay....

4. Keep profanity to a minimum. Using it occasionally is not a problem. Using it 50 times in a post isn't acceptable. Be respectful that not everyone wants to see it all the time. Do not use profanity in thread titles at all.

[rofl]


Rule 4 - Know your target and what's beyond. Make sure there is zero chance - no way - that rifle rounds can leave the firing area. That means by missing a backstop, bouncing off a backstop, ricocheting off the ground, etc. 80 acres is not big compared to the range of your average .223 round.

If you're only shooting pistol/shotgun, that's a lot easier to deal with.

 

[FRB]

Thank you C3D very much that is being taken into consideration. The area we are goign to use is back dropped with a hill. We will have a backstop mound made too, he is a farmer and we can move dirt easily. Round bales of hay will line the one side, (one of his storage spots).

 

[Varmint]

Nothing wrong with a good attorney...sheesh...never mind...not all of them chase the ambulance

 

[FRB]

Nothing wrong with a good attorney...sheesh...never mind

I hear ya! I was considering the profession myself at one time. I fixed that post for you.

 

[minderasr]

Rule #1: You don't talk about fight club.

 

[kev74]

I need better friends! Mine would get al uppity if I started shooting in their yards.

 

[Acer-m14]

I need better friends! Mine would get al uppity if I started shooting in their yards.

i shoot in my friends yard all the time .. got permission lol .. shit i shoot chucks in a trailer park . got permission lol ..

 

[repete]

Some good tips so far thanks....

1. Home owners Insurance - check coverage
2. Building permit ( I have a good rapport with the CEO I am the Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman in my town - so I play that card
3. Neighbors - There is a Gun Club not far away, so often hear gun fire.
4. 500' from neighbor's dwelling is good to go. Much room here.
5. Town Code, I checked, the word gun is not found in the code!

Ditch rule #1 ! No way will his home owners cover anything like that and if you ask he'll most likely get dropped!

 

[spat]

Ditch rule #1 ! No way will his home owners cover anything like that and if you ask he'll most likely get dropped!

Home owners will cover private recreational shooting.

It would not cover a commercial venture, but that's not what's being described.

He's just talking about the same thing as a couple buddies coming over for target practice. He's just going to have a real nice facility for it.

 

[stokes]

I think you guys are over thinking this thing.As long as you have a safe backstop and are far enough from neighboring dwelling just go shoot. I cant shoot in my yard,I'm right at the edge of town.My neighbor has a 600 acre farm.She lets me shoot there. my friend Nick is the foreman on the farm, he shoots there as well,with a group of friends.No lawyers, no building permits,no problems.I stop by and let her know I'll be up there shooting and she always says,"I dont care,as long as Nick says it's ok ,dont have to tell me every time".But I will let her know every time, its just courtesy.

 

[tony]

I agree with @stokes with ^^^. First and foremost, a good backstop. At least 8 ft. tall, 10' is better and preferably U-shaped. Some of my neighbors are not shooters and complained to the sheriff about our shooting. Sheriff stopped by and saw we were not breaking ANY laws and having safe fun shooting clay birds. I invited him to shoot a bit, he declined the offer and told us to have a nice day as he left... There have been no more visits from them.

 

[GOPerfect]

I have land on the Southern Tier, I have built a pretty good range area. I have a few tables set up. I have friends over regular with no issues at all.

 

[Acer-m14]

just got home from friends house .. we were shooting are inline muzzle loaders in the front lawn .. i hate pryodex .. its smells like crap .. i wnt real BP lol

 

[MuttCat]

Several years ago I used some GIS software to map the 500 ft radius from the nearest neighbors to where it intersected my property. I've never needed it, but if anybody complains, or John Law pays a visit...here's a picture. I guess it could be done using Google Earth...don't know.