My Registered AW at a Public Range

[joel1316]

Just ranting

I've got a registered "AW" black rifle with all the DOJ paperworks. I also have a load of 20 rounders that I aquired legally before the ban. Now, when I go to the range, everyone looks at me like I'm some criminal noob that doesn't know I should be pinning my mags in a with a 10 rounder! Even the RO has got that don't ask, don't tell look on his face. I'm about ready to yell out and flash my paperworks to everyone that gives me that look of "you idiot, your going to be so busted by not pinning that mag in!". I'm ready to put on an SB23 sticker on my A2 Stock...... OK, rant over, just wanted to vent

Thanks!

[Shane916]

lol make a t-shirt with your paperwork image pressed on it ! then you can just point and say read! although that might be unusual to have like 10 guys gathered around you trying to read your shirt.. then if you got pulled over you could have the officer read it as well.. ok all bad ideas.. n/m that

[WokMaster1]

Which range did you go to? Maybe you should wear a neon lime green vest with a DOJ Registered AR Owner across the back.

[phish]

most likely San Leandro, there's a lot of rubber-necking depending on what day you go

I think people should just mind their own damn business. There was life before OLL mania.

[VeryCoolCat]

Just wear an FBI hat, nobody will ask questions.

[50ae]

I am so glad I moved out of CA and am back with my Sporter Match H-Bar. I just kick myself every day for selling my AR-15.

[magmaster]

I never have got that when I go to the range. Maybe its because they recognize me? Most of the time I get people bugging me to look at it and asking questions so I hardly get time to shoot. That sucks I feel your pain...

[icormba]

I'm with you joel1316,
I get that all the time! So much so that I don't really take my Bushmaster out much anymore . I had one guy so mad... he was about to pick up his cell phone and call someone? who? I have no idea. I chalk it up to jealousy I guess? Fellow gun owners are sometimes our own worse enemy.

My registration papers are my own business though... I won't show them those, no way! I'll show them to the Range officer if they want, but they never seem to care. I'll show them to a LEO too if they request. But I won't show them to anyone else... it's just not any of their business.

I usually only have these issues at the Metcalf 50-100 yard range, 200 yard range is a-ok! I never have those issues at the Sunnyvale range and only on a rare occasion at the Los Altos range... more curious people there than anything, meaning no one complaining.

[artherd]

You don't look like a "Gang banger type" to these guys do you? (read: you're under 30, of any particuliar race including 'whitie' and wear jeans & a t-shirt.)

We really are our own worst enemy.

[50 Freak]

I get the same looks, but I just contribute it to jealousy, whenever I bring my registered AW's to the range.

I do however sometime get a few spectators watching. And if they are young kids or a hottie, I'll definitely invite them over to have a few shot using the AR, AK, FAL Para or 50 bmg (with parental permission of course).

This way, I make sure the kids will get interested in firearms.

If you're in the Bay Area, I usually go to Sunnyvale Rod and Gun club or Metcalf. Both good ranges and they don't care if you have an AW.

[joel1316]

- I'm 34 years old, old enough to buy guns before the ban.
- I've got the usual range attire going on (nothing flashy, gang bangerish), I've even got on my Super Sniper cap on, LOL.

There were other guys there with there OLL's and they just kept looking over at my rifle with that "oh he's gonna get busted looked".


Eagle Arms Registered SB23....
No biggie, just wanted to vent. I was just sighting it in after mounting the Super Sniper 16X42 and debating on taking it on a Squirrel shoot next week.

[bwiese]

I do however sometime get a few spectators watching. And if they are young kids or a hottie, I'll definitely invite them over to have a few shot using the AR, AK, FAL Para or 50 bmg (with parental permission of course).

NO NO NO NO!!

It's illegal to 'lend' an AW or 50BMG to a minor - even with parent's permission and his/your close over-the-shoulder supervision. This is a 12280(a) violation, a felony:

12280. (a)(1) Any person who, within this state, manufactures or causes to be manufactured, distributes, transports, or imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives or lends any assault weapon or any .50 BMG rifle, except as provided by this chapter, is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for four, six, or eight years.
(2) In addition and consecutive to the punishment imposed under paragraph (1), any person who transfers, lends, sells, or gives any assault weapon or any .50 BMG rifle to a minor in violation of paragraph (1) shall receive an enhancement of one year.
....
....
....
(k) Subdivision (a) shall not apply to:
(1) A person who lawfully possesses and has registered an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle pursuant to this chapter who lends that assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle to another if all the following apply:
(A) The person to whom the assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle is lent is 18 years of age or over and is not in a class of persons prohibited from possessing firearms by virtue of Section 12021 or 12021.1 of this code or Section 8100 or 8103 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(B) The person to whom the assault weapon or .50 BMG rifleis lent remains in the presence of the registered possessor of the assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle.
(C) The assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle is possessed at any of the following locations:.......

Over 18? Sure, perfectly legal for them to shoot in your immediate presence.
But don't let Junior shoot it unless you're in NV.

We can get really didactic and argue over the term "lend". Since there's no codified definition that's something you'd have to fight after being busted.

[bwiese]

When I go to Los Altos, Sunnyvale or even Coyote Pt I usu get far more attention from attendees than rangemasters - prob because I usu have at least 2 ARs and one other rifle (AR10 or FAL) out at once.

[50 Freak]

I know of that rule Bill, so cool down a second.

If the gun is in my posession and I let a kid use it to take a shot or two while I'm around. I think it would be a hard sell for any DA to say I "lent" him my AW as I never really let it out off my posession.

I spoke about this to an LE friend of mine when we were at the range and I let a kid try my AR. The LE said it was a "gray" area but since I was with the kid at all times, he didn't see it as "lending" my gun to anyone.

I'll take my chances thanks.

[icormba]

I just posted this in the off-list legal forum; the range I'm referring to is Metcalf:

Given what I saw last week, it is hard to understand that people there (either ROs or guests) would give anyone a hard time about a registered AW. But maybe you just got really unlucky, more than once. Strange.

Trust me... it happens to me at Metcalf all the time! But yes, the range officers are GREAT! They never take a 2nd glance. It's the guests who don't believe my AW's are registered because they don't believe I'm old enough I guess? or maybe it's that my AW's look brandnew?

Let's put it this way... I'm only about 5'4" and I still get carded when I buy beer and I even get carded once in a while when I buy spray paint at OSH!!
I'm 35 years old.

My demeanor at the range... I usually keep to myself, follow all the rules, and take my shooting seriously. When I'm with others... we usually all do the same. It's when I'm with the others I don't get hassled... probably because the complainers think my guns belong to the "others"?? hmmm