Milwaukee, WI shoot at The Shooter's Shop?

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Control Group

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Milwaukee, WI, Uniform Districts of America
Cracked butt and some other fans of The Shooter's Shop in Milwaukee have tossed around the idea of a THR shooting night at the range there. I'm not much of a leader/organizer, but I figured a good place to start would be to see how many people might be up for such a thing, and what sorts of times they might be able to make it.

To answer my own question, I'm obviously up for it, with a standard day-job sort of schedule. Evenings on weekdays, pretty much open on weekends (subject to some pre-existing weekend plans, of course). Anyone else?
 
Count me in. Evenings during the week work for me also. Weekends have been kind of busy, (family gatherings, weddings, etc.) but could also be doable.

--meathammer
 
I work a kind of an oddball night schedule, so I would have to wait about 2 weeks before I could do it on a weeknight, but after that, I'm game.


Don't worry about me embarassing anyone, I'm not much of a pistolo guy, more of a rifle and shotgun guy. :)
 
It wouldn't be bad, and if a few more people want to show up I'll probably come over from Janesville/Whitewater (depending on where I'm staying at the time - I'm a student). Maybe if we can get some more people, we could get a discount off their $15/hour range price? :) And while we're at it, maybe someone could

I did buy my M4 there, though, and they're a good shop. Perhaps someone could correct them (or me) - I have a friend under 21/over 18 who the Shooter's Shop would not allow to shoot, telling me that I could get in big trouble if I let him use a handgun. Now, despite my best efforts, I haven't been able to find anything in WI Statutes that requires that one be 21 to possess a handgun; I've taken a look at the official state site, along with packing.org, nra-ila.org (http://www.nra-ila.org/GunLaws/StateLaws.aspx?ST=WI) and LCAV (http://www.lcav.org/states/wisconsin.asp).

If *I'm* wrong, I'd really like to know; if they're wrong, they've already lost money from me once when they wouldn't let my friend shoot with me, since neither of us went, and I'm not real amused by it. Thus, I'm asking before I go in there next time and make an [edited for Art's grammaw] out of myself by being wrong.
 
Jadecristal:

The relevant statutes in WI law seem to be these (from the WI DOJ statute page, chapter 948):

948.60(1)pdf icon
(1) In this section, "dangerous weapon" means any firearm, loaded or unloaded; any electric weapon, as defined in s. 941.295 (4); metallic knuckles or knuckles of any substance which could be put to the same use with the same or similar effect as metallic knuckles; a nunchaku or any similar weapon consisting of 2 sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a length of rope, chain, wire or leather; a cestus or similar material weighted with metal or other substance and worn on the hand; a shuriken or any similar pointed star-like object intended to injure a person when thrown; or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted ends.

948.60(2)(b)
(b) Except as provided in par. (c), any person who intentionally sells, loans or gives a dangerous weapon to a person under 18 years of age is guilty of a Class I felony.

948.60(2)(c)
(c) Whoever violates par. (b) is guilty of a Class H felony if the person under 18 years of age under par. (b) discharges the firearm and the discharge causes death to himself, herself or another.
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And:

948.60(3)(a)
(a) This section does not apply to a person under 18 years of age who possesses or is armed with a dangerous weapon when the dangerous weapon is being used in target practice under the supervision of an adult or in a course of instruction in the traditional and proper use of the dangerous weapon under the supervision of an adult. This section does not apply to an adult who transfers a dangerous weapon to a person under 18 years of age for use only in target practice under the adult's supervision or in a course of instruction in the traditional and proper use of the dangerous weapon under the adult's supervision.
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I can't find anything that seems to distinguish handguns from other "dangerous weapons" for the purposes of age restrictions. Of course, IANAL, and so forth.

Incidentally, you say you're a student - do you mean at UW Whitewater? I ask, because it's my alma mater, see...

cracked butt: a couple weeks out sounds good to me. If you've got a variable schedule, I'm fine with planning around your work hours.
 
They are picky about age, that is correct. In Wisconsin you have to be 21 to own a handgun, that is the law. As far as being 21 to shoot one, well I don't recall anything like that in my statute book. I think that's more of a range policy then law. If you have a legal guardian of someone that's under 21, then they can shoot there no problem, from what the man at the rental section said.

Well This weekend I have business in Iowa to attend to, same thing next weekend. Next week and the following week I will be unavailable, however the week after that I should be more then able to go. Starting in about a month to 2 months I will likely be at the range 3 days a week, so I will probably see some familiar faces when I am there :D. I am totaly up for having a weekly meet, it would be nice to get some tips from the experts :)
 
Incidentally, you say you're a student - do you mean at UW Whitewater? I ask, because it's my alma mater, see...
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Control Group: Yeah, at the moment. If I don't finish up some incompletes, I'll be in trouble, but finishing them up is in the plan. I'm thinking of transferring to the People's Democratic Republic of Madison too, but I'm not so sure on that...

Did you misunderstand my question regarding age? The laws that you cite, which I found, seem to apply to one under 18. My friend is over 18, just under 21.

In Wisconsin you have to be 21 to own a handgun, that is the law.
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GregGry, please help me out here if you have a cite for the law. I'm not trying to be difficult. I know that an FFL can't sell to someone under 21, but I can't find anything in WI law that prevents someone OVER 18 from owning/possessing a handgun.
 
From what I'm reading (and anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong), our best bet in the near future would be a weeknight three or four weeks from now?

JadeCristal: Sorry, I was ambiguous; I understood exactly what you meant. I should have been more specific regarding the laws I cited - as far as I can tell, these are the only laws regarding possession of a firearm WRT age. Since these laws only apply to persons under 18, your friend should be in the clear. Moreover, according to 948.60(3)(a), even someone under 18 can possess a firearm if under the supervision of an adult - it doesn't even specify parent or guardian - for the purposes of "target practice" or "in a course of instruction in the traditional and proper use of the dangerous weapon." If someone under 18 can use a firearm with adult supervision for target practice, I have to think someone 18, 19, or 20 could, too.

My point was that it doesn't say anything about needing to be 21 to possess or use a firearm. As far as I can find, there is no law barring your friend from possessing a handgun, certainly under the supervision of an adult. Of course, IANAL, and so forth. The real problem is proving a negative is tough. I wonder if dropping someone at the WI DoJ a line asking the question would get you an answer in a reasonable time frame...

Anyway, good luck on the incompletes. And if you do end up in the Worker's Paradise eventually, I'll probably run into you at some point; there are only so many places to shoot anywhere near Red Square.
 
THR WI shoot

Back on topic, for a moment, do we have a date & time??? And is the Shtrs Shop going to give us a THR discount??
 
I havent been to the shooters shop since Jeff Mau owned it....what is it like now??? Did they improve the range....??
 
Summary of the below: Target date is, tentatively, 5:00 on Wed., 8/31. Please post here if you can definitely make it, probably make it, or that date just won't work for you. I'll call The Shooter's Shop tomorrow evening to see what I can set up.

Assuming you're in, Smokey Joe, it looks like we're at 5, possibly 6 people up for such an event: meathammer, cracked butt, GregGry, possibly Jadecristal, you, and me. Incidentally, is there anyone else we know of on THR from the area we should PM or otherwise get in touch with? The Shooter's Shop has seven bays, but we're all armed (and therefore polite), so I'm sure a few more people wouldn't be a problem.

Anyway, so far it looks like a weeknight in a couple weeks is our best bet. I'm thinking the week of 8/29 - 9/2. I don't know what nights anyone might have other stuff going on, so I'm going to pick 5:00 on Wednesday, 8/31. That may be a little early for the first shift types (of which I'm one), but it will give us a solid two hours before the range closes.

If that's just plain unworkable for anyone, please speak up soon. I'll be calling TSS tomorrow evening, which gives everyone a day to respond here one way or the other. I'll see if they can give us a volume or THR discount, and if they'll take any sort of reservations ahead of time. In case they do, please post saying whether you're probably going to show up, or if you're definitely going to show up. I don't want to leave them on the hook for empty bays because I reserved too many, and I don't want to be on the hook for the cost of the time if anyone's a no-show. If you're only a probable, that's entirely fine, of course, I just really don't want to guarantee five people and only end up with three.

Also, if anyone knows or deals with the owner on a regular basis (Monkeyleg, are you out there?) and wants to take over the actual calling and setting up, don't let me stop you. I'm happy to do the legwork on this, but I'm not much of a negotiator, so I make no guarantees of successfully bargaining the price down.
 
gunut: I didn't see it before early this year, so I can't compare to its previous state. However, IMHO, it's the best range in the Milwaukee area*. It doesn't have as many bays as Badger, and it's pricier than Fletcher, but it's really a nice set up. Seven well-lit bays (lights on the range and in the bays), plenty of room behind the firing line, cubbies to hang jackets, stash bags, etc., very well ventilated, and a nice waiting area outside the range with snack machines, tables, chairs, and even a free-to-play Area 51 console.

*I've never been to the range down near Racine/Caledonia/Union Grove, so I can't speak to that one.
 
Wednesday. 8/31.

Control group--Works for me; I'll put it on the calendar! Looking forward to meeting y'all in the flesh! :)
 
5:00 on Wed., 8/31. Please post here if you can definitely make it, probably make it, or that date just won't work for you.
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That or earlier that week will definately work for me, though it will be closer to 6:00 PM before I can show up. :cool:

Edit: I just looked at their website and it looks like they are only open to 7PM on weekdays, so I'll make arrangements to get there earlier.
 
Control Group, I'll ask Kevin about a group deal, but I won't hold out too much hope. As Deputy Gerard in "The Fugitive" whispered into his guy's ear: "I...don't...bargain."

gunut, The Shooters Shop is a much nicer place than when the Mau family owned it (no slam on Jeff Mau or anything). More high-end guns like Ed Browns, Les Baers, Wilsons, etc.

Also much better salespeople. Anyone who may have annoyed you back then is gone. In fact, they're all gone. ;)

Seriously, the people they have working the shop are great.

And the range is much better, as others have mentioned.
 
Control Group, I'll ask Kevin about a group deal, but I won't hold out too much hope. As Deputy Gerard in "The Fugitive" whispered into his guy's ear: "I...don't...bargain."
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Fair enough - I certainly don't begrudge them their income. It was more of a "can't hurt to ask" sort of thing. I'm actually more concerned about suddenly showing up with a half-dozen people all wanting to shoot and finding out that half the local precinct is there polishing up for quals, or some such.
 
Welcome aboard!

Growler--Welcome aboard THR. And as a member, yr entitled to come to a THR shoot, 3 posts or 3,333.

Looking forward to meeting you in the flesh!
 
Control Group, I didn't know if you had called The Shooters Shop or not, so I did. They don't take reservations, but they made a note that five to seven people would be coming on 8/31 at about 5pm. I told them it would be "The High Road" group.

Unless I'm kept late at work, I'll be there as well.
 
Monkeyleg, thanks for making the call. I had called a couple weeks ago just to see if they had anything already scheduled for the evening, but I didn't get around to following up about reservations after some folks here said they were in.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to meeting you and everyone else "in the flesh." Should be a good time.
 
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