This sucks

[pmf]

I was at the NRA range in Fairfax VA this weekend. I asked the guy at the desk if it was OK to shoot s smg there. He said yes, but I have to make an appointment with the range manager to do it when the range is not busy. This means it'll be something like "sure, come by anytime you want on a weekday between 11 and 2". I had asked a range officer last year before I bought it and all he said was "sure, no problem".

Christ, there's guys there shooting 458 magnums -- and my uzi is considered a distraction! They say nothing in their range rules about this -- and they do lay out the max caliber you can shoot, only slugs in shotguns, no black powder, etc. Pretty specific. They even say all NFA weapons must have the owner's paperwork at the range.

Dammit, I'm bummed. Anyone know anywhere else I can shoot a smg in northern VA? Having to take the day off work to do it is going to take a lot of the enjoyment out of this weapon. When I ever get it, that is.

Maybe I should complain to Chuck and Wayne.

 

[JDmontana]

Range

If it's not against the rules and you checked it out before then why are you asking again? I would just go out and shoot. If the range officer gives you a hard time then I would state that use of smg is not prohibited and was told early that you could. JMHO

 

[pmf]

Yes, that's what I'm probably going to do. However, it sure would suck the first time I shoot it, to go through one mag and then be told I can't shoot it anymore.

The reason I asked was that someone recently told me there was some hassle about it there. As far as the rules go, nothing is stopping them from adding new ones.

Maybe I'll get a supressor after all.

 

[JIMBO]

Black guns make red tape. It may just be a way of life in some places. You don't have to like it or put up with it though. Be respectful, firm and make sure you are current on local laws and rules. Happy shooting....I hope, for your sake !!!

 

[MickeyMouse]

The NRA mostly supports duck hunters not fun gunners.

Too bad.

 

[tommygun2000]

All of the above and more, why I'll never

again join a gun club or other type of non public range with "any" type of caliber or weapon type restrictions.

Between the political control freaks and the know nothing "Think they know it alls" I wouldn't spend one dime to support these types of clubs or ranges.

 

[M60joe]

Unfortunately the NRA seems to be more for golf/skeet shooters than all shooters in general. Boy, this NFA stuff is so F'n controversial.......but fun!!!!

 

[pmf]

I live in the Washington DC suburbs. Sprawl goes for miles and miles. The only private club anywhere in my area charges $2500 initiation fee and $300 annual dues. For as much as I shoot, I can't justify that.

 

[Z06]

pmf
I'll bet if you gold plated your UZI, and put fancy walnut furniture with inlaid commemorative cloisonne medallions on it, they'd let you shoot. Call it: "The NRA 2nd Amendment Freedom UZI" ...yeah that just might work!
-Z06:uzi

 

[JIMBO]

If the bad people don't welcome you on the surface then you may have to go underground. In one of the other forums I frequent, the subject of making your own shooting range came up if you have property that can handle one. Then the next subject I brought up was making your own 1 or 2 lane below ground range. Even another option is semi-below ground using buried concrete culvert pipe or your own version of a cathedral roof system. The reason for going underground was the noise issue and a simple push/pull blower system to remove bad air. Honestly, the sky is the limit with options unless laws simply prohibit the whole thing in your area. It is a huge conversation starter for those with the wherewithall to entertain the subject. There were 2 or 3 guys that made a go of it and made it happen with admireable results. Any ideas here ?

 

[pmf]

I called the NRA yesterday to see what the deal is. The assistant range manager (who apparently has some kind of chip on his shoulder) told me that I cannot shoot it in full auto when the range is open to the public. Instead, I have to come in before it opens, but after police get done in there. And they make me move closer to the backstop so I won't "spray bullets all over the range". This means 3:00 - 4:00 on certian weekdays.

God, this pisses me off. Its not like the guys doing rapid fire with their AK's, AR15's and pistols don't hit the ceiling and walls more than I ever would. They cater to precision .22 shooters, cowboy shooters (these guys really amuse me), kids, IDPA, etc.

A range at home. Yeah, I thought about something in my basement, but my wife would never go for that. Even if she did, there's not enough room down there (most of it is finished). Outside shooting is not allowed in the county I live in.

I'm going to look into a suppressor and someplace else to shoot. Two other ranges in the area explicitly say the do not allow full auto. I have a friend who lives in MD in a county that allows shooting and he could do it in his back yard. Is it easy to get BATF permission to take a smg to another state for a day? MD is turning into another CA ... I worry about taking it there.

 

[JDmontana]

JD

I miss my family, and the food on the east coast is the best. That being said the entire EAST COAST SUCKS IMHO. That is why I moved out west, gun control has being running amok in New England for decades. It won't be long before you are outlawed.

 

[JIMBO]

There needs to be a National SMG Association.

pmf-

It is the National RIFLE Association by the way. Not the National Pistol Association. OK, OK, I know it is actually the National Firearms Association and their rules should be fairly simple and easy to understand but let me tell you one thing. Even though the NRA is the premiere gun rights orginization today, working har for our 2nd Amend. rights 24/7 it is still a group of politicians governed by politicians fueled by your dollars and mine. Being PC is still somewhat important to them though as far as PC goes within the Association. In a nutshell, if a FA gun is going to freak some people you will be asked to come between 6 am and 6:30 am Thursday mornings. FA has a stigma to live down and not all people look kindly at them. Gang guns...I have heard other NRA members call them. The gun grabbers mssg. is getting through even to the pro-gun side. "Who really needs one anyway". "Somebody with a small pen*s".

Did the Fairfax range give you any hope of times you could go in and shoot FA ? Even goofy hours ? Good Luck.

 

[stymie]

pmf....
MD allows machineguns, but I believe that they require some sort of State registration for the locals. If you are not a SOT... you'll need to send the form (5320.20) to the BATFE NFA Branch for approval. Snail-mail usually takes 3 weeks.
Helpful hint: This can be done by FAX. FAX... Maurice Walker a copy of your Form #4 & your 5320.20.

 

[stymie]

The NRA has been a total sell-out! Here's a nice t summarizes my feelings about their support____

First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.

by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

 

[JIMBO]

Great info available at your finger tips.

stymie-

Kind of makes you want to be prepared and ready to speak up for yourself and surround yourself with likeminded believers. One of the reasons this forum is as valuable as it is with the information resources and expertise we have here. Stymie, thanks for your helpful and informative posts.:thumbs_up

 

[Vegas SMG]

PMF
Just found this on another board and thought it might help.
Noticed you made marksman!

http://subguns.biggerhammer.net/events.cgi?read=718

 

[dustindu4]

Re: JD

gun control has being running amok in New England for decades

Just in MA, RI , and CT

NH has the most lax gun laws and the least restrictions in the country and will be getting better now that preemption is on the way. VT and ME and pretty free as well.

 

[pmf]

And the state I live in, Virginia, is pretty good. I have to register my uzi with the state when I get it, but its just a form to send in. No big deal.

Its fortunate that I chose VA over MD when I moved here 11 years ago. MD is fast becoming the next CA.

And I did post on subguns.com. There are at least two 25 yard inside pistol ranges that allow full auto anytime. Not great, but better than nothing. I'll still use the NRA range, but I'm not going to jump through hoops for them to shoot my uzi there.

 

[JIMBO]

Put the NRA through the hoops !!

pmf-

Congratulations on making Marksman, you are well on your way to fame and fortune.

What did the NRA range finally tell you ? Hoop jumping kept to a minimum I hope. Good luck with your FA shooting, put some pressure on the NRA, they are there for you as well as anyone else, make them jump through some hoops for a CHANGE!!!