Range laws?

[surfinguru]

Hey guys, question for you with my scenario:

Currently NOT a gun owner, but well on my way to picking my first handgun. I recently dropped a friend off at SJ Intl. and thought I'd swing by Reeds Indoor range, rent a couple of different handguns and put some rounds downrange to find what works and fits best for me. Well, when I relayed my intentions to the gent behind the counter, he said no go. Something about a CA law saying he couldn't rent a lane to an "individual" without his own gun due to suicide risk. He went on further and tried to explain that if I had a friend, no problem. He said he'd rent me whatever they had and however many rounds I wanted to fire.

So can anyone verify this? (with references, not hear-say?) How's a guy supposed to "try" before buying if this is indeed the case? Was this guy just lazy and didn't want to deal with me, or is it a local/regionally decided issue? I didn't see anything posted to the effect at the range, or Markley's in Watsonville for that matter.

Thanks!

[cal]

While I'm not sure its a law, its a precaution that most gun shops take to prevent range suicides. It's a pretty standard policy at most ranges that offer rentals.

[mur]

That is correct, they will not rent a gun if you are alone. (suicide precaution)
If you were alone and brought a handgun in, or if you frequent there enough and they know you, then they will rent to you.

Gives you the perfect opportunity to get a buddy involved in firearms

[Kruzr]

It isn't a law but it is a rule at just about every range that rents guns. Party of two or more, and at many ranges, at least one with handgun experience.

[Synergy]

I have ran into that problem, when I was shopping for my first gun. There are ranges that will rent to individuals. Just call and ask before wasting gas driving there.

[surfinguru]

That is correct, they will not rent a gun if you are alone. (suicide precaution)
If you were alone and brought a handgun in, or if you frequent there enough and they know you, then they will rent to you.

Gives you the perfect opportunity to get a buddy involved in firearms

Thanks. It makes sense you know? It's just unfortunate that a person would be so inclined to do such a thing.

So, anyone in the Santa Cruz area want to take a future, proud gun owner to the range? Looking at various 9mm's. (FWIW, recently the wife and I fired the G19 and XD9. Neither liked the XD. Like the Glock, but the grip was a bit too big for the wife. Really want to test out the M&P)

[bcrich]

Yeah that's right! LA county also has that law. I know it sucks, but it will drive you harder into gettin your own then you are never gonna stop and end up with many pistols. It's great though

[Dr Rockso]

I went to Markley's alone just after my 21st b-day, told them I wanted to try out a few handguns and intended to purchase one. They let me shoot about 5 different models and then when I bought one (a CZ-75B) they didn't charge me for range fees or ammo. My suggestion would be just go to Markley's. Even if they do charge you for the range time it will cost half of what Reed's charges and it's a nicer range with nicer people (except for that one old guy, but what gunshop would be complete without a grumpy old fart?).

[56Chevy]

Thanks. It makes sense you know? It's just unfortunate that a person would be so inclined to do such a thing.

So, anyone in the Santa Cruz area want to take a future, proud gun owner to the range? Looking at various 9mm's. (FWIW, recently the wife and I fired the G19 and XD9. Neither liked the XD. Like the Glock, but the grip was a bit too big for the wife. Really want to test out the M&P)

If you're ever up near San Francisco you're welcome to try out my CZ-75B or Glock 26.

[Greg-Dawg]

....
So can anyone verify this? (with references, not hear-say?) How's a guy supposed to "try" before buying if this is indeed the case? Was this guy just lazy and didn't want to deal with me, or is it a local/regionally decided issue? I didn't see anything posted to the effect at the range, or Markley's in Watsonville for that matter.

Thanks!

Range dude was following procedures and also most ranges allow experience shooters at their range, that's why it's good to go in with your own gun.

For those that want to "try" before buying, it's good to take an NRA handgun safety course so the range people won't yell at you for your unsafe handling.

Lastly, yes it's a insurance liability for those who commit suicides on the range. This is frowned upon, that's why the buddy system always works. Good luck.

[Soldier415]

Hey guys, question for you with my scenario:

Currently NOT a gun owner, but well on my way to picking my first handgun. I recently dropped a friend off at SJ Intl. and thought I'd swing by Reeds Indoor range, rent a couple of different handguns and put some rounds downrange to find what works and fits best for me. Well, when I relayed my intentions to the gent behind the counter, he said no go. Something about a CA law saying he couldn't rent a lane to an "individual" without his own gun due to suicide risk. He went on further and tried to explain that if I had a friend, no problem. He said he'd rent me whatever they had and however many rounds I wanted to fire.

So can anyone verify this? (with references, not hear-say?) How's a guy supposed to "try" before buying if this is indeed the case? Was this guy just lazy and didn't want to deal with me, or is it a local/regionally decided issue? I didn't see anything posted to the effect at the range, or Markley's in Watsonville for that matter.

Thanks!

At Bullseye we have the same policy. It is not something we made up, it is something our insurance carrier forces us to do otherwise we lose our policy. No insurance...no range

On the other hand, if someone in your situation comes in I will make it work. If we are not slammed and insanely busy I will go out on the range with you after filling a plastic tub with all the guns you are looking for and have you shoot them all while I explain the differences and answer your questions.

After you have a feel for the ones you are contemplating, we go back into the shop and I'll pull them out of the case and we narrow it down.

Then again, if we have a packed range counter and multiple customers waiting to be helped at the sales counter...I would ask you if you mind waiting until it slows down a bit. If you dont want to wait, i'll hand you a free lane pass with instructions to come back with a friend or during a time where we are not busy and staff will have the time to take you out on the range.


Insurance has us by the short and curlies, but if you truly care about your customers you can find a way to make it work.

[Greg-Dawg]

...On the other hand, if someone in your situation comes in I will make it work. If we are not slammed and insanely busy I will go out on the range with you after filling a plastic tub with all the guns you are looking for and have you shoot them all while I explain the differences and answer your questions.

After you have a feel for the ones you are contemplating, we go back into the shop and I'll pull them out of the case and we narrow it down.

Then again, if we have a packed range counter and multiple customers waiting to be helped at the sales counter...I would ask you if you mind waiting until it slows down a bit. If you dont want to wait, i'll hand you a free lane pass with instructions to come back with a friend or during a time where we are not busy and staff will have the time to take you out on the range.

Insurance has us by the short and curlies, but if you truly care about your customers you can find a way to make it work.

That's very generous of you to do that.

Just my thoughts, so don't take this in a negative way. If one truly cares about their customers, I'd recommend them taking a certified NRA basic handgun class to be fully proficient in handling firearms.

Rather than giving them a quick lesson on shooting and trying to squeeze them in while talking to other patrons. Things like that are prone to incidents.

Just my opinion. I've had customers appreciate that type of direction of taking a course, because they know that they would not give their car keys to a 5 year old and send him/her off on the 110 fwy to pick up grandma.

[Soldier415]

That's very generous of you to do that.

Just my thoughts, so don't take this in a negative way. If one truly cares about their customers, I'd recommend them taking a certified NRA basic handgun class to be fully proficient in handling firearms.

Rather than giving them a quick lesson on shooting and trying to squeeze them in while talking to other patrons. Things like that are prone to incidents.

Just my opinion. I've had customers appreciate that type of direction of taking a course, because they know that they would not give their car keys to a 5 year old and send him/her off on the 110 fwy to pick up grandma.

Thats a good point, and depending on the experience level of the customer a different approach is taken.

We offer a full range of classes, so If a guy/girl is a new shooter, I always recommend taking the Basic Pistol course and give them the number for the classes hotline.

Most of them take the course.

[surfinguru]

Soldier and Greg-Dawg, great input and much appreciated. I know how to handle and shoot a pistol, but I was thinking last night after posting that it would be good to have at least the HSC. This would show the person behind the counter (who has no idea who I am) that I at least have that level of understanding.

I'm in no way putting down the guy behind the counter at all - I wouldn't want someone taking themselves out on my watch - however, there was only one guy in the range, two running the store and me in the store. Figured if the guy wanted to make some money on range fees and possibly a sale, he would've been a little more helpful than to say "come back with a friend or your own gun."

Anyway, thanks again for the helpful replies and non-biased points of view.

[SJgunguy24]

Surfinguru,I'm in south San Jose I have a g17 and g26 shoot me a pm and we can hook up.