Going to San Jose, want to shoot a few rifles.

[lamanna]

Hi all,
Work has decided to fly me over to the US, San Jose specifically, and I'll have a few days to myself. The conference is in San Jose so I'll be there from around the 5th to 15th, so that's one weekend. After the 15th(Thursday) I get to do what I want until the 19th(Monday) when I'll be flying out at night. I still have to work out where I'm going after that, probably the most central part of San Francisco as I want to avoid driving like the plague. All that aside, the weekend in between the conference I had planned on going somewhere to shoot a few firearms that I'll never get the chance to shoot in Australia.

How are the laws in Californian when it comes to foreigners? How are the laws when it comes to locals is probably a better question. I have an Australian gun license, I doubt that matters, but will it help at all? Will I get to shoot a few cool things, at least a semi-auto? Are there places like this around that cater for tourists or am I going to have to twist a few arms?


Thanks for the help.

 

[dave from mesa]

We haven't lived in San Jose for almost 4 yrs but there were 2 indoor ranges that rented guns. Both have revolvers and semi-auto's. If you are actually staying in San Jose both will be close.

Reed's Indoor Range is in Santa Clara just north of the airport and you can see from the 101 freeway.

Targetmasters is in Milpitas which isn't that far from downtown. They had the most guns for rent.

Not sure of there procedure on renting to tourists but I don't foresee any real problems. Don't think you will have to twist too hard.
Let us know how it turned out.

http://www.reedsindoorrange.com/

http://www.targetmasterswest.com/

 

[CK]

Last time when I was there. Reeds don`t rent to foreigner.
Unless you have a friend who has San Jose`s driver license, or any proof of residency in San Jose, you probably won`t be able to get in. Since they don`t rent to foreigner, they allow you to shoot at the range if your friend has his own gun to lend to you.
But, talk to them. They may insist that you take a course first. In Reed talk to the guy named Yaseer. Maybe he can help you out.

Last time I was there, I was planning to spend 100 dollar on renting and shooting. But, since I am a Canadian, they won`t allow me to rent or shoot at all. So.......sadly I left without having any fun at all........sigh...............(I was so really looking forward to it)

btw, this was last year.

 

[nplant]

lamanna - I work part time for Reed's, and yeah, we've gotten a letter from Homeland "Security" saying that anyone we transfer a gun to (read: rent or sell), must have a US-issued license. However, that doesn't preclude you from using the range, if you know someone who would let you use their private guns. There is no requirement to take a course to shoot, so long as you are experienced enough not to shoot yourself or someone else. If you come with an experienced shooter who will coach you, no problem. Yessir doesn't work for us anymore, unfortunately.

CK - I'm really sorry about having to turn people away, and in some cases, we have had to turn away people who have been regulars with us, because for whatever reason they don't have a US-issued ID. I know these people aren't going to do anything to harm anyone without cause, but we also are under the microscope of the Fed.gov and California's draconian set of idiot laws. As a shooter myself, it really breaks my heart to have to turn away kindred spirits, but if we're to remain open, we have to follow the rules.

 

[CK]

nplant, thanks for the explanation. I am not at all resentful towards the staff, they have been really friendly and helpful. I walked around the store and saw some really nice pistols, I saw a beautiful Les Baer on consignment when I was there.
I have been bugging my cousin who lives in San Jose to get a gun, so that maybe when I go visit her next time, we can go shooting.

Things are certainly different now than when I went shooting in the US 10 years ago in Lincoln, Nebraska.