New shooting range design

dannycorona · 15-09-2011 12:13pm #1

Hi, was at a stag in Manchester recently where I tried clay pigeon shooting for the first time and loved it.

Was thinking of setting up a small private range on our farm here as there is plenty of room. Was wondering what design is required for one of these, eg distance from land boundaries, houses etc. Licences?

As you can tell I havnt a clue!

Cass · 15-09-2011 1:01pm

Its a big enough commitment even for a private range.

By private you would have a set number of members (that must exceed five) and only these could come in. In other words no non-members can walk in and use the facilities.

The range must be set up in such a way that the line of fire in no way is directed towards any other firing point. So a good "£spread" is needed. You then need a danger zone. This is an area beyond the maximum distance a shot can travel. It means if a shot is fired at the optimal angle to achieve the maximum distance that no person can be in this are from other lands and get injured.

Other than that you would need a range officer to run the range, a license from the DOJ, fees to be colected from members, records of members name, addressses, gunlicenses, etc.

A rnge inspector from the DOJ will also have to be involved in every step from the first application to the ongoing running of the range.

There are different standards required for a shotgun ONLY range as opposed to a rifle range, but your best course of action would be to contact the DOJ, find out who is range inspector and set up a meeting to discuss things.

Jonty · 15-09-2011 4:27pm

would you need planning permission?

Grizzly 45 · 15-09-2011 5:55pm

Dont think it is that much of a problem if it is Clays only???

BoatMad · 06-10-2011 11:27pm

For a private club, and soley for clays there is no range requirements, clay pigeon shooting can take place anywhere within the licensed use of a shotgun. Ranges only apply to rifles and pistols

gunhappy_ie · 07-10-2011 12:23am

While the SIs are on paper I was talking to 1 range owner last sunday who said that they havent been signed into law yet ..... it may be a matter of time but it may be a long time yet !

GH

tac foley · 07-10-2011 10:06am

From what I've been reading here it might be a plan to ask again in 2021.

tac

Sparks · 07-10-2011 12:45pm

The club and range SIs won't apply to Clay Pigeon only ranges.
The club SI is signed into law, and applies to all pistol and rifle clubs at present.
The ranges SI is still being drafted and hasn't been signed into law. Last I looked - late last year - they were up to something like revision number 25.

Sparks · 07-10-2011 12:47pm

And remember, you need the range licence if you're a rifle or pistol club (which means conforming to the Range SI and Club SI and being signed off on by the Firearms Range Inspector), you need the planning permission from the local Council, and you need the approval of the local Superintendent - and none of those three things are directly interconnected (eg. applications for planning permission might benefit from having a range licence, but the range licence doesn't force the council to grant permission in any way).

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New shooting range design

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