Thread: New range laws and shooting on unregistered ranges

Originally Posted by Gillie

@yeah_na_missed, From the Police Shooting Range Manual Rev 1 (2022-03-03):


In discussion with the Inspector running the Police Shooting Clubs and Ranges team:
If the area is used regularly for sighting in (within every couple or three months), if there are targets left at the location, etc. then it is considered a range and subject to certification.

I have asked Police to clarify "sighting in" because this section doesn't say anything about practicing, recreational shooting, plinking, etc.
If you take your kids down on to the farm with a few targets for some fun every few months (and you do it safely, and there is not a complaint) then i don't see Police having anythign to do with that. If you leave the targets up "permanently" and are down there every month then i can see Police wanting certification.

In writing, I think the Police are trying to align with their interpretation of the definitions of a Range in the Act while appreciating that certifying every instance of anyone shooting at an inanimate object is practically impossible. In practice, i can't see Police arresting and prosecuting people for sighting in unless you were doing it in an unsafe way and there was a complaint. If you were sighting in safely and there was a complaint (and you weren't a dick about it) then i think Police would take an "educational" approach and either be happy or simply advise you to apply for range certification.

So regarding, Section 10 - i think Police have given themselves enough of a vague definition such that they can apply some judgement in practice.


In @Peteforskeet example - i think Police would interpret that as needing certification because it sounds like a bit of an organsied event for his family / friends.

Letting the police use their 'judgement' is a bad idea in my books.
They have proven many times to be pricks when dealing with firearms.
Although, there are good cops out there I believe the majority will be horrible to deal with regarding shooting.

In saying this, I think the law is an ass and if it is enforced to the letter as it stands we are screwed.

What a crappy situation.

Does anyone have an idea what certification will cost for a private range? and any annual costs etc?