Question about gun range rentals.

[kuhjäger]

Today I went to Reeds indoor range over in Santa Clara, wanting to rent a Glock 21, which I intend to purchase when I am 21 in a couple of weeks. When they asked my age, they said I could not rent there, as it was against the law.
Now I have been to LAX range in La and to Markley's in Watsonville many times since I was 18, and they had no problem with renting.

So I decided to try out a Ruger PC-9 to get a feel for it, as I am going through the arduous ten day wait for my PC-40. However they said that they did not know if they could sell me the ammo to shoot at the range. I told them that it was legal for anyone under 21 to be sold handgun ammunition so long as there was reasonable belief that it was to be used in a rifle chambered for pistol calibre, such as proof of ownership of a rifle, and as that was the only gun I would be using there, there was pretty darn reasonable belief that I was. They hemmed and hawwed and ultimately allowed me.

Now I know that here in Ca the laws are pretty unclear, but this seemed clear. If they said it was their policy not to, fine by me, but they kept quoting the Law, while the law seemed to be on my side.
So ultimately, my question is, can an under 21 legally rent a handgun, and buy the ammunition to use at a range.

[CSDGuy]

Although you might be able to rent the handgun, it is illegal for you to buy the ammunition just yet.

[kuhjäger]

Although you might be able to rent the handgun, it is illegal for you to buy the ammunition just yet.

Before he got the OK to give me the ammo for the rifle, I asked if my 22yo gf could open up a separate ammo tab, as she was shooting too, and I also got a no.
I dunno, the guy was a little patronizing, I asked if I could bring in my shotgun to shoot a couple of slugs off for fun next time, and he asked if I had any kind of case to carry it in.
Last I checked that was the only way you can carry a weapon is in a case.

[CSDGuy]

Their handgun rental store policy probably requires that you purchase THEIR ammunition for use in their handgun. Bringing your shotgun into the store in a case is probably also their store policy. I haven't been to Reeds, so I am just guessing about this.

I also don't know what their policy is on over 21 people renting a handgun and allowing someone else to shoot it... They'd probably NOT allow that though.

[Japedo]

I don't know about the law, but I tried to take my brother to an indoor range I go to when he was 20 yrs old. They would not let him shoot or even go into the range because they said something about the insurance policy. They said he had to be 21 or have his legal parent/ guardian with him or the insurance would not cover him. I'm not one to argue with a store about their policy so we did not shoot that day.

[1911 in 916]

At some ranges if you didn't bring a gun in and want to rent, you have to provide a HSC card also.

[Jon]

Hopefully this clarifies some of Reed's policies:

http://reedsindoorrange.com/range.html

[RollingCode3]

some ranges wont even let u rent unless u have a second person there with you.

[Kruzr]

You need to be 21 to purchase handgun ammo in California. Since all ranges that rent guns that I know of make you use their ammo, it is illegal for them to sell you the ammo for the rental gun.

At TFL, we allow people over 18 and under 21 to rent the rifle or 9mm carbine but not a pistol.

Our insurance carrier also requires that anyone under the age of 18 be accompianed by their parent or court appointed guardian. Brothers, uncles, or grandfathers not awarded custody cannot sign the waivers.

[cactus]

I work in San Jose a couple days a week and on calgun member recommendations I tried to go to reeds. I called Reeds to get directions and was told I can not rent guns alone I had to bring some one with me. They said I could shoot my own guns but Id be committing a big no no bringing a firearm to work. It seems silly to me im 35 years old hold both a hsc card and a C&R but cant rent a gun in there establishment. Oh well.

[Kruzr]

I work in San Jose a couple days a week and on calgun member recommendations I tried to go to reeds. I called Reeds to get directions and was told I can not rent guns alone I had to bring some one with me. They said I could shoot my own guns but Id be committing a big no no bringing a firearm to work. It seems silly to me im 35 years old hold both a hsc card and a C&R but cant rent a gun in there establishment. Oh well.

So you believe people over 35 don't commit suicide with rental guns?

[Paratus et Vigilans]

I work in San Jose a couple days a week and on calgun member recommendations I tried to go to reeds. I called Reeds to get directions and was told I can not rent guns alone I had to bring some one with me. They said I could shoot my own guns but Id be committing a big no no bringing a firearm to work. It seems silly to me im 35 years old hold both a hsc card and a C&R but cant rent a gun in there establishment. Oh well.

Most ranges that have those rental restrictions are trying to avoid having someone come in to rent a gun and a lane just to blow their brains out.

My usual range, "Iron Sights" in Oceanside, has a rule for first time customers: bring your own gun, or come with someone who's already been there and has one of their range cards.

While it's admittedly a PITA for first timers, it's not unreasonable. They don't know you're stable and not suicidal, notwithstanding your HSC and C&R license.

At Reeds, is it only for first timers that you need a buddy with you to rent, or does that apply to you no matter how many times you've been there?

[randy]

It's freeken California!

With the litigus, liberal anti-gun feelings in this state we're fighting all the time to keep our 2nd amendment.

Ranges don't want to put on these restrictions and maybe some of the folks do quote the law incorrectly but that's the facts of life.

Having some moron shoot themselves at the range screws up a good portion of the day plus the family wanting to sue the range for their bottom feeding gene pooler. So 2 or more is understandable

Ammo and rentals until you are over 21 there might be some ways to read the law and say you can get around it, I don't know it doesn't matter to me. Why would a range want to open themselves up to more problems if something goes wrong on somebody that worked a loophole?

[djslik408]

Its more of liability and insurance aspect of their business. That sucks but again someone mentioned already, this is California!!!