Starting Out - Total Novice

[WayneWise]

Hi All

I hope you can help, my son and were purchased a groupon voucher for Bisley for Christmas and we are now hooked on rifles!! We had an hour and half of shooting live ammo (.22 I believe)

We are looking to get into it as we have well and truly been bitten, oroblem being I have no knowledge what so ever

Where do I start? Do I need a licence to fire at ranges, where and how do I purchase guns, can my son get involved (he is 15) Just don't know where to start.

If anyone can help I would be forver grateful, finally found something to get him off his xbox!!!

Thanks in advance

[MotorRacingBruce1980]

First thing I would suggest is find your local range.

Where are you based? A few members will probably be able to advise of your local range if you don't know where it is.

You don't need a licence if your a member at a range that has club guns but you will need a licence to purchase a gun of your own.

[1066]

Welcome to the forum Wayne - Lots of knowledgeable members here who will help you get started with any area of shooting you might be interested in. Muzzle loading pistols/rifles. Long range rifle shooting, benchrest, air pistol/rifle competitions, lever action cowboy rifles, historic military rifles etc.

[swotty]

Where are you? Most clubs will give you all the help and advice you need to start. Our club has training for five disciplines/types of firearms as part of our six month probationary period. So you are taught all you need to know to safely get started along with the process of obtaining an FAC.

[Mattnall]

As above, the first port of call is to find a local club and ask to join. Then they can help with full membership and then application for a license.
Most clubs I know allow 14+ age group but others may have a different limit. Once you have your license (and depending upon your circumstances) your beer vouchers become bullet vouchers and you can buy firearms to enjoy your new sport with, and keep them at home.

If your local club is not suitable (age limit or perhaps don't shoot the type of shooting you want) then shop around. You can be a member of many clubs if the desire takes you but find one with like minded shooters and it'll be better for you. If you don't know what shooting discipline you want try to find a club that caters for many displines and then you'll get the chance to try more than one.

Good luck with the search. There is a club finder section in the New Members area of this forum, not exhaustive but a start.