How and Where to get started, central Jersey

[love4god]

I live in central NJ, have never owned a gun, and have barely even touched one. When I was a teenager a friend let me shoot a couple clay pigeons from his small shotgun. Coming from a liberal, suburban household, that is the extent of my gun experience.

However, for the last few years my wife and I have talked about starting to shoot. We moved to a more rural area of central jersey in the pine barrens, I'd like to go hunting with my sons when they're a bit older, and I'd really like to just go shooting pistols at a firing range with my wife. I think we'd both really enjoy it.

Anyway, having no experience I'm not really sure where to start. I don't have any friends that shoot (that I know of). I honestly wouldn't even know how to work the thing, but I want to learn. So any suggestions on where to start, especially some place specifically in central nj? I'm guessing some kind of safety/basics course would be the first place to start. Thanks.

 

[delta53]

Fort dix

this may be a start in your area the Fort Dix rod and gun club gives lessons with trap and i think long guns it is a out door range give them a call

Fort Dix Rod & Gun Club
609-562-6667

 

[geekWithA.45]

ANJRPC has a range in mid jersey.

http://www.anjrpc.org/


And while you're at it, you might as well go down to the police station, get yourself fingerprinted, and fill out the forms for your FID. God knows how long it'll take them to get that sorted out. The law says 45 days, but the courts say "as long as they want".

 

[eric.cartman]

http://www.uhaul.com/ ===> PA

 

[love4god]

What is an FID?

 

[10MMGary]

I'll take a WAG and say an FID is a firearms identification card. Living in FL we have no such thing. Good luck be patient and enjoy some shooting.

 

[stevek]

The ANJPRC range is in Highland Lakes, my wife and I are members there. As was stated earlier, you should begin the paperwork process now, as Lord knows how long your municipality will take. You need to submit the fingerprint card (you local PD will do the prints and submit them to the FBI), fill out the forms for a NJ FID, (firearm identification card) which if all the checks pass allow you to purchase long guns and ammo, and if you want to buy a handgun, you also have to fill out a pistol purchase permit request, you have to specify how many pistol purchase permits you want as each permit is good for one pistol only. Purchase permits are good for 90 days from date of issue, FID is good for life (so far). When you go to pick them up the officer will then ask you to hop on one foot while counting backwards from one hundred by subtracting the value of pi each time ...sorry couldn't resist that last sentence Can you tell that I live here in NJ also....for now.

 

[DogBonz]

Love4

First, welcome to THR.

Where in NJ are you?

You are wise to take a safety course first. There you will learn safe gun handling skills and how many different types of guns work.

In order to buy a gun you will need a FID (Firearms Identification) card. This will let you buy rifles and shotguns. If you want to buy a handgun you need a pistol permit. You can apply for both at the same time at your local police station. You need 1 pistol permit for each handgun that you buy. You don’t have to use your permits right a way. Permits are good for 90 days (not 3 months) but you can renew them once (for an additional 90 days). You will most likely have to make an appointment to go and get fingerprinted. A word to the wise: These appointments are usually at odd hours. My local PD is weekdays from 8:30-1:00, so it is a major pain because I have to take a day off of work to go get permits. That’s why I get a bunch. If I don’t use them, oh well. It takes 6-8 weeks to get your FID/ permits, so you should get that out of the way as soon as possible.

For hunting, you can go to some sporting goods stores and get the free study materials (I got mine from Dick’s). You will get a video or DVD and a work book that you have to complete before the “field” part of the process where you will shoot at targets with a 22.

NJ does not make it easy for us, but I think that’s why those of us who are here are egger to help. If you need any thing or have any questions, please feel free to ask. PM or email me [email protected].

Oh Yeah, I almost for got. You have to live in NJ for 6months before applying for a hunting license.

 

[love4god]

I live in Lakehurst, just about dead center of the statue.

Do you need an FID to begin taking the safety course and fire rentals at the range? I think we're going to move pretty cautiously to begin with and try different types of guns before we decide about buying something.

 

[DogBonz]

I'm in Princeton

I don't think that you need an FID to take a safety course, but I can't say for sure, as I took mine in a different state (RI). Some ranges either require you to have a FID or be accompanied by someone with a FID. If you can’t find a range close to you that will suit your needs, check out “Ready, Aim, Fire”. It is just over the boarder into PA, and has a nice range, instructors, and a good selection of rental guns.

http://www.rafire.com/

 

[geekWithA.45]

You don't need a FID to rent at a range.

Incidentally, there's a good hunting club in your neck of the woods, the Buckeye.

 

[DogBonz]

Geek

Thank you for the clairification. I have only been here for about 6 months, so I am still figuring some stuff out myself.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Feel free to hit me up w/ NJ questions. I lived there for (too) many years until I fled to PA.

 

[cnk]

Go here: http://www.njguns.com

It has all the information you'll need to get all your paperwork. Don't apply for more handgun permits then you really need because it may make it more difficult to get additional permits in the future.

Each township is different for the process. It took me 2 months to get my FID and handgun permits. I've heard horror stories of it taking upwards of 6+ months though.

 

[never_retreat]

Another jerseyite ehh. Have fun. Central jersey range is a nice place, I wish I lived closser. Oh I you guys have one thing wrong. There are no rental guns at ranges in th PRNJ. Once you cross the river your in hammer and cykle land.

 

[love4god]

So in NJ you have to already have a gun to go to the range? How would you try guns out before you buy them? That doesn't make any sense.

 

[ialevy]

Go to the Shore Shot in Lakewood. You can rent almost any type of handgun there. They also offer courses.

 

[love4god]

I called Shore Shot, they have a 2-3 hour basic training course.

$125 each for my wife and I, i have to call to make an appt.

$250 seems a bit steep, is that an average price for this kind of class?

 

[Crunker1337]

After taking a safety course, you must get a basic gun license. If you want a handgun then you have to get a handgun license AND then a permit to purchase a handgun which expires in 90 days.

 

[30 cal slob]

piney go "boom."

 

[geim druth]

The ANJPRC is having a ladies' day at the Cherry Ridge Range in July. If you have children over 10 years old, the Youthfest is in May. These events are both great introductions to shooting. I can recommend them highly, and the people from ANJPRC are friendly and very helpful to newcomers.