Private range

[Skribs]

What regulations would one have to follow in order to set up a private range (or, just go out on private property) and shoot? Specifically I'm in WA state, near the Tacoma area, and looking down the road at setting up my own private range, and wanted to know well ahead of time what I would be getting myself into.

I tried googling this, but I fail at search-fu and every hit I got was regulations that the ranges in WA have for their customers.

 

[Eric M]

Look up the ordinances in your town. Some towns require a certain amount of land, a certain distance away from another home, etc.

 

[JRH6856]

And if you live outside of city or town limits, check with the county. The Planning & Zoning, or Building Permit dept. of the town or county would be where I would start.

 

[joecil]

My oldest son lives just out side of Bremerton in a place called Seabeck WA. He shots at a neighbors back yard however it is also basically a private range also.

 

[TennJed]

USUALLY All you need is enough land to be legal and the amount of land will vary depending on your county/city.

Of course comman sense on saftey measures should apply.

 

[kb58]

If you mean a full-blown range, with dues-paying members, I imagine there's more to it than that - liability insurance for sure, taxes, distance to neighboring properties, etc, etc.

 

[Skribs]

Oh definitely no members paying dues. I want somewhere I can go where I don't have to worry about the other people there (except friends and family).

What I was trying to find is the local ordnances, i.e. what the distances are that I need to be away and if there are any requirements regarding backstops, shooting times (for noise pollution), etc. All the gun laws I've seen are related to carry or ownership, and when I tried to find the regulations I just got range regulations for members.

 

[DocGanz]

In addition to compling with local ordances, I strongly encourage you to contact your state's NRA representative. The NRA has been the leader for guiding range safey procedures and rules.

 

[FROGO207]

I agree the state rep for the NRA will also know what the state requirements are in addition to any local town or county restrictions on the books. FWIW a personal PRIVATE range usually does not require a lot of things other than a safe backstop and enough distance from others as required by hunting distances here in Maine. Just do not shoot too early in the morning and wake others up so that they will complain or at night and no one will try and report you for night hunting. Shooting 24/7 is legal here but a few visits by local LEO to see what you are doing will be no fun if the neighbors complain a lot.