I am looking to make my first gun purchase, however before I do I'd like to go to a local gun range and shoot one to make sure I am comfortable with actually using it if I ever need to (god forbid). Is there a local gun range I can go to That provides their own guns and bullets for non gun owners like myself?

Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly and Sharpshooters in Springfield both have a large assortment of handguns and rifles you can rent to use on their ranges.

Great. Thank you!

Blue Ridge is a great place to go. You'll need to demonstrate that you can drop the magazine, reload it, unlock the slide and manipulate the safety. Then you can go in the range with the gun you've chosen. You're allowed to borrow one at a time.

Maryanne Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am looking to make my first gun purchase,
> however before I do I'd like to go to a local gun
> range and shoot one to make sure I am comfortable
> with actually using it if I ever need to (god
> forbid). Is there a local gun range I can go to
> That provides their own guns and bullets for non
> gun owners like myself?

Maryanne, Just keep a couple things in mind before you buy that gun.

Owning a gun makes you 3.71 times more likely to become a victim of a gunshot and it also greatly increases your chances of going to prison for a year or more. For every 23 bullets fired in the US only one of those shots results in a favorable outcome for the shooter (not including target practice).

The bottom line here is that owning a gun makes you less safe not more safe and there is always the social stigma attached to gun ownership. Gun owners are perceived as ignorant fools and/or cowards.

Bill Brady Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maryanne Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I am looking to make my first gun purchase,
> > however before I do I'd like to go to a local
> gun
> > range and shoot one to make sure I am
> comfortable
> > with actually using it if I ever need to (god
> > forbid). Is there a local gun range I can go to
> > That provides their own guns and bullets for
> non
> > gun owners like myself?
>
> Maryanne, Just keep a couple things in mind
> before you buy that gun.
>
> Owning a gun makes you 3.71 times more likely to
> become a victim of a gunshot and it also greatly
> increases your chances of going to prison for a
> year or more. For every 23 bullets fired in the US
> only one of those shots results in a favorable
> outcome for the shooter (not including target
> practice).
>
> The bottom line here is that owning a gun makes
> you less safe not more safe and there is always
> the social stigma attached to gun ownership. Gun
> owners are perceived as ignorant fools and/or
> cowards.

You are so full of shit. Why do you have to make things up to try and fool people who are exercising their 2nd Amendment rights?

Noimsayn?

The NRA offers excellent training for the beginner through advanced.

Enter your zip code to find classes near you.

http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx

Call or stop by Blue Ridge Arsenal and make an appointment for 1 hour of personal instruction along with firearm rental. Not cheap but PRICELESS to get off on the right foot.

Guns for Sale Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Call or stop by Blue Ridge Arsenal and make an
> appointment for 1 hour of personal instruction
> along with firearm rental. Not cheap but PRICELESS
> to get off on the right foot.


Those are the last guys I would want teaching me anything. Its really the only option to rent a gun and try it out but the staff there is miserable

I would suggest attending a beginner's class if you're not familiar with firearms.

Bill Brady Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maryanne Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I am looking to make my first gun purchase,
> > however before I do I'd like to go to a local
> gun
> > range and shoot one to make sure I am
> comfortable
> > with actually using it if I ever need to (god
> > forbid). Is there a local gun range I can go to
> > That provides their own guns and bullets for
> non
> > gun owners like myself?
>
> Maryanne, Just keep a couple things in mind
> before you buy that gun.
>
> Owning a gun makes you 3.71 times more likely to
> become a victim of a gunshot and it also greatly
> increases your chances of going to prison for a
> year or more. For every 23 bullets fired in the US
> only one of those shots results in a favorable
> outcome for the shooter (not including target
> practice).
>
> The bottom line here is that owning a gun makes
> you less safe not more safe and there is always
> the social stigma attached to gun ownership. Gun
> owners are perceived as ignorant fools and/or
> cowards.


I appreciate your concern Bill. However I highly doubt me having a gun in my own home for protection will make me more likely to become a victim.
Attachments:

As said before, Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly. It's a bit hard to find, back behind a bunch of warehouses but it's well worth it. You need to show that you can handle a firearm safely before you can go into the range by yourself. If you can't, the staff will go in with you.

Rockhound Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As said before, Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly.
> It's a bit hard to find, back behind a bunch of
> warehouses but it's well worth it. You need to
> show that you can handle a firearm safely before
> you can go into the range by yourself. If you
> can't, the staff will go in with you.


I definitely prefer them to go in with me my first time. Is this custom at this gun range or is it looked down upon?

I'm in the same boat as you...I'm signing up for the NRA class where the instructor will come to my house for individual basic training and then we will go to the range for more advanced training. $110.

some guy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm in the same boat as you...I'm signing up for
> the NRA class where the instructor will come to my
> house for individual basic training and then we
> will go to the range for more advanced training.
> $110.

Thats awesome and an amazing deal. Can you tell me his name or the company that provides this type of training?

Maryanne Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Rockhound Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > As said before, Blue Ridge Arsenal in
> Chantilly.
> > It's a bit hard to find, back behind a bunch of
> > warehouses but it's well worth it. You need to
> > show that you can handle a firearm safely
> before
> > you can go into the range by yourself. If you
> > can't, the staff will go in with you.
>
>
> I definitely prefer them to go in with me my first
> time. Is this custom at this gun range or is it
> looked down upon?


It's not looked down upon. I've seen the guys who work there help newcomers out all the time. There's a big black dude with dreads whose really informative and helpful. Don't remember his name.

Anyway, if you're a chick, they'll all be more than happy to help you. So you're good. They'll teach you about basic safety and monitor you while you shoot.

There is a class you can take there I think it's Saturday and Sunday, about 8 hours total and about $100 bucks.

Ginger Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The NRA offers excellent training for the beginner
> through advanced.
>
> Enter your zip code to find classes near you.
>
> http://www.nrainstructors.org/searchcourse.aspx


This^^^

besides they have a great indoor range when it comes time to shoot. You do not have to be an NRA member to shoot but if you are the price is discounted. Please take a class before buying, it will save you time and money plus get you started right.

My personal recommendation it to start small if you are on a tight budget. Like getting a .22. The ammo is much cheaper and the basics are the same when shooting. Many stores will let you trade the .22 in when you go for a bigger gun.

Maryanne,

Disregard all the haters. It's good to see and show that gun owners and potential gun owners are responsible and actually value safety above all else, contrary to however they want to portray us.

You don't need to pay for classes man.

Watch some videos on youtube for the basics.

Guns are very very very very simple.

Get one and play with it unloaded. Don't dry fire too much though or you might ruin the firing pin.

Then take it to the range and fire.

Here's a tutorial...this guy does a great job: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB7RrA7IMNA

Sharpshooters is a good place,I liked Blue Ridge also although more smokey in there. The NRA range is Tops. Many more women in all these ranges then years back. plenty of people to help a woman out in all of them. Myslef I have enjoyed guns since I was a kid and got my first 22 when I was 11 at Christmas 1965 and was I ever excited.

That said as you are a adult just buying a gun, for protection not fun, thats very serious and you know it. No one ever wants to have to use a gun aginst another person.

Look around get some good training and you will soon be comfortable with your new level of personal protection that can save your life. And dont think your out of it or stupid or racist or a bigot because you choose self defense over the loss of your life.

Every animal has self defenses and they will use them to the best of their ability and as humans we too have the god given right of self defense against those who would harm us. We just can't change colors and hide or jump and run fast or bare our teeth and snarl.

Bill Brady Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Maryanne, Just keep a couple things in mind
> before you buy that gun.
>
> Owning a gun makes you 3.71 times more likely to
> become a victim of a gunshot and it also greatly
> increases your chances of going to prison for a
> year or more. For every 23 bullets fired in the US
> only one of those shots results in a favorable
> outcome for the shooter (not including target
> practice).
>
> The bottom line here is that owning a gun makes
> you less safe not more safe and there is always the social stigma attached to gun ownership. Gun
> owners are perceived as ignorant fools and/or
> cowards.

Holy fuck, you need another bullet to the brain you imbecile.

Better to have a gun and not need it, then need one and not have it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/06/2014 07:59PM by Stabitha.

Bill Brady Wrote:

> Owning a gun makes you 3.71 times more likely to
> become a victim of a gunshot and it also greatly
> increases your chances of going to prison for a
> year or more.

Statistics also show that owning a gun makes you 14 times more likely to be a crack dealer. Weird how that works.

Bill Brady Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bill Brady Wrote:
>
> > Owning a gun makes you 3.71 times more likely
> to
> > become a victim of a gunshot and it also
> greatly
> > increases your chances of going to prison for a
> > year or more.
>
> Statistics also show that owning a gun makes you
> 14 times more likely to be a crack dealer. Weird
> how that works.

Show me the stats or stfu. Bullshit!

Take a beginner/intro class. Worth your time and money. For the $125 a few hours of your time it's great. By the time you pay for a lane rental/gun rental/box of ammo your halfway up the cost of the course. Don't rely on youtube. You'll learn the fundamentals, how to safely handle a few types of guns (revolver, semi-auto pistol, etc) and you get some range time with an instructor. I had my parents take a course they loved it, even though are NOT "gun people".

Blue ridge, sharpshooters, or NRA range. Call and ask for a beginner/intro course.

For the guy who said dry firing will ruin a gun- he's incorrect. Only .22's shouldn't be dry fired a lot, other guns it doesn't hurt anything.

So- take the course, shoot some guns, then you'll make a more informed decision on what kind of gun you need. Do you plan to get trained and licensed to concealed carry or is this just to keep at home? Home gun I recommend a .357 magnum revolver- the cool part is you shoot very mild and cheap .38 special bullets in the same gun, then load it up with .357 for home protection. Easy to operate, no levers or safeties, you don't have to worry about taking it apart to clean, etc. If you like the feel of a semi-auto pistol- then a mid size 9mm would be good too. Again, cheap and low recoil. You have to train with those a little more because of the magazine, safety, slide, etc. If you don't plan to train and just keep in a safe, stick with the revolver. If you get a gun- buy a small pistol safe for it. You don't want a bad guy that already broke in to have access, or small kids.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/2014 07:57AM by zimm.

Most are over priced. Check out the site for the NRA courses and find the one for $90. Class, Gun and Ammo included if you don't have them.

I have had nothing but bad experiences at Blue Ridge Arsenal. I've been there three times over several years and each time the staff were jerks. It's expensive and unfriendly even for people that know what they're doing.

Blue Ridge Arsenal is the last place I would recommend a first-timer to go.

Blue Ridge Arsenal and Silver Eagle Group in Ashburn. At SEG you can rent for $15 and swap out anytime. This is how I try before I buy. I go to Blue Ridge every now and then, but cannot comment on their rentals since I bring my own stuff.

For consideration-9mm ammo is a pain in the ass to get, .40 and .45 seems more available these days. Lat year, it sucked for everything.

Bill Brady Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Owning a gun makes you 3.71 times more likely to
> become a victim of a gunshot and it also greatly
> increases your chances of going to prison for a
> year or more. For every 23 bullets fired in the US
> only one of those shots results in a favorable
> outcome for the shooter (not including target
> practice).
>
> The bottom line here is that owning a gun makes
> you less safe not more safe and there is always
> the social stigma attached to gun ownership. Gun
> owners are perceived as ignorant fools and/or
> cowards.

If you're going to troll, at least get the name right. Jim Brady was Reagan's press secretary that was shot; Bill Brady was Bobby Brady's twin brother who died at birth.

Bill Brady, stop masturbating in public! I TOLD you that is disgusting!

zimm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> For the guy who said dry firing will ruin a gun-
> he's incorrect. Only .22's shouldn't be dry fired
> a lot, other guns it doesn't hurt anything.

I've always heard that dry-firing was bad, but never seen any detail. What's special about a .22?

Just curious...

Greybeard Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> zimm Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > For the guy who said dry firing will ruin a
> gun-
> > he's incorrect. Only .22's shouldn't be dry
> fired
> > a lot, other guns it doesn't hurt anything.
>
> I've always heard that dry-firing was bad, but
> never seen any detail. What's special about a .22?
>
>
> Just curious...


It's rimfire and in some cases, the firing pin can extend far enough to strike and mar the edge of the chamber, bend or break the pin when it hits, etc.

2nd the recommendation to take a class or two with an NRA instructor. Many of them are former military or retired fed agents and family men, they will put you at ease with firearms and will teach you a lot about safety and self-defense and carry laws, not just how to shoot. There are some female instructors too.

Rent a few and do some research before you decide what to buy. Once you get your own gun, get a set of snap caps and you can safely practice loading, handling and dry-firing the gun at home.

(if you're looking for 9mm -- Freedom Munitions has quality bulk ammo for about .25 a round.)

Correct, on rimfires the firing pin hits the edge of the chamber of some .22's which can hurt the firing pin. You can still dry fire a few times, but don't sit there and click away hundreds of times. Centerfire guns can be dry fired forever, the pin doesn't hit anything. The military uses dry fire practice a lot because ammo is expensive and you're mostly training your muscles to get sight alignment and trigger squeeze correct. The fact that the bullet goes down range is minor in comparison.

Don't worry about ammo scarcity- unless you're shooting a lot or building a stockpile. You only need a box to keep at home and a box each time you go to the range to practice (which you should do at least annually, hopefully a lot more).

Bill Brady Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Maryanne Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I am looking to make my first gun purchase,
> > however before I do I'd like to go to a local
> gun
> > range and shoot one to make sure I am
> comfortable
> > with actually using it if I ever need to (god
> > forbid). Is there a local gun range I can go to
> > That provides their own guns and bullets for
> non
> > gun owners like myself?
>
> Maryanne, Just keep a couple things in mind
> before you buy that gun.
>
> Owning a gun makes you 3.71 times more likely to
> become a victim of a gunshot and it also greatly
> increases your chances of going to prison for a
> year or more. For every 23 bullets fired in the US
> only one of those shots results in a favorable
> outcome for the shooter (not including target
> practice).
>
> The bottom line here is that owning a gun makes
> you less safe not more safe and there is always
> the social stigma attached to gun ownership. Gun
> owners are perceived as ignorant fools and/or
> cowards.


Really now?

>Really now? Promise you ya really sounds good to me Im a pinhead

sme Wrote:
----------
Why do you have to make things up to try and fool people who are exercising their 2nd Amendment rights?

What well-regulated militia are you associated with?

abolish 2A for everyone's good Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> sme Wrote:
> ----------
> Why do you have to make things up to try and fool
> people who are exercising their 2nd Amendment
> rights?
>
> What well-regulated militia are you associated
> with?



The Supreme Court held:

(1) The Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home. Pp. 2–53.

(a) The Amendment's prefatory clause announces a purpose, but does not limit or expand the scope of the second part, the operative clause. The operative clause's text and history demonstrate that it connotes an individual right to keep and bear arms. Pp. 2–22.

(b) The prefatory clause comports with the Court's interpretation of the operative clause. The "militia" comprised all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense. The Antifederalists feared that the Federal Government would disarm the people in order to disable this citizens' militia, enabling a politicized standing army or a select militia to rule. The response was to deny Congress power to abridge the ancient right of individuals to keep and bear arms, so that the ideal of a citizens' militia would be preserved. Pp. 22–28.

(c) The Court's interpretation is confirmed by analogous arms-bearing rights in state constitutions that preceded and immediately followed the Second Amendment. Pp. 28–30.

(d) The Second Amendment's drafting history, while of dubious interpretive worth, reveals three state Second Amendment proposals that unequivocally referred to an individual right to bear arms. Pp. 30–32.

(e) Interpretation of the Second Amendment by scholars, courts and legislators, from immediately after its ratification through the late 19th century also supports the Court's conclusion. Pp. 32–47.

(f) None of the Court's precedents forecloses the Court's interpretation. Neither United States v. Cruikshank, 92 U.S. 542 (1876), nor Presser v. Illinois, 116 U.S. 252 (1886), refutes the individual-rights interpretation. United States v. Miller, 307 U.S. 174 (1939), does not limit the right to keep and bear arms to militia purposes, but rather limits the type of weapon to which the right applies to those used by the militia, i.e., those in common use for lawful purposes.

>What well-regulated militia are you associated with? Har har har har goes the imbecile thinking he's so smart and smug repeated a million times by stupid Democrats

Just pitiful when leftists advocate banning guns and taking a hammer to the US constitution to ban rights to stir up a pot of hate that they push

When they are so stupidly hateful they don't have any idea of what they are pushing, its just hate , but that it was told to them as a Democrat talking point by another worthless imbecile who is a communist so its the whole truth to them

For those Democrat imbecile's out there

I and most of you belong with many millions of other Americans to the :

"Unorganized militia of the United States" which Democrats don't want to talk about

Look at it https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=unorganized+militia&f=treesort&num=0&edition=prelim

>those in common use for lawful purposes.

A perfect description of a AR-15

Unorganized Militia of the United States

§246. Militia: composition and classes
(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

(b) The classes of the militia are-

(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and

(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.

Or other semi auto "assault weapons owned by law abiding citizens without regulating them reasonable is not only a unconstitutional act

BUT it disarms severely the un-organized militia of The United States , the body of the American male population and women who are members of the National Guard

To weaken our US National Defense

It takes a idiotic Democrat 2A hater or a confirmed Nazi or a real Communist to do that , never a freedom loving American patriot

ELITE SHOOTING SPORTS in Manassas....the best

Made up of treasonous young communist trouble makers who attack much older US veterans are Democrat activists for far leftist policy that are armed with firearms and other attack weapons and that's great with Democrats who are silent about them

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/maced-right-wing-demonstrator-points-gun-at-protesters-in-oregon-freedom-rally-clash/ar-BB1f5v8E?ocid=msedgntp

"Leftist counterdemonstrators showed up in response to a planned right-wing "Freedom Rally" in the city of Salem. According to a police press statement sent to Newsweek, left-wing activists "wearing black clothing and ballistic vests and carrying firearms, bats, skateboards, umbrellas, shields and gas masks arrived on the capitol mall grounds." Police said that some of the counterprotesters were holding flags of the Youth Liberation Front , which is a group that promotes leftist views."