Any place in DC where I can shoot a gun and maybe buy some ammunition as a souvenir?

Submitted by element14040 t3_10lf0lf in washingtondc

To give you’ll some background, I’m from Sweden where citizens have no rights to bear arms (unless under exceptional circumstances, and even then the firearms you can own are abysmal at best). I’m coming to Washington for 3 days for a conference and was wondering if there were any places near the center where I can shoot different types of guns in a range-like setting. Ideally, the place should have a combination of sniper and fully automatic weapons. Any recommendations?

Thanks :)

0

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

DC2Cali t1_j5we19t wrote

Lol, unfortunately you’re going to the wrong city for all of that

91

FacitBull5O t1_j5weqsh wrote

Go to virgina. Just google ranges and you will find one. You may have to drive out a little bit.

8

that-gostof-de-past t1_j5weweh wrote

Replying to element14040 (#1,496,366)

There are no gun ranges in DC.

Your best bet would be a short drive to Virginia i recommend silver eagle group or elite shooting sports. I can take you this Sunday if you’re interested I have a lot of guns and a few I need to test.

81

ChubsBronco t1_j5wewk4 wrote

Ask r/DCGuns

They will be able to guide you in the right direction.

On a sidenote, Atlantic Guns come to mind, I believe they have a shooting range and rent guns, but you would have to double check with them

9

keyjan t1_j5wf0cb wrote

No. Wrong city for that. Go over to Fairfax; the NRA would love to have you, I'm sure.

https://nrahqrange.nra.org/

Oh, and don’t try taking ammo on a plane. That probably won’t go over well, especially if you don’t have a license.

−1

10tonheadofwetsand t1_j5wfktd wrote

Search in Northern Virginia. A couple like the NRA range are accessible via metro rail + a bus ride.

−6

Consistent_Ad7468 t1_j5wfpy3 wrote

Go to Maryland Small Arms Range. Nice selection of rental guns for the day and they are very helpful for those without a lot of firearms experience. It also isn't too far to take an Uber from DC. https://www.msar.com/

13

PresidentHarambe1 t1_j5wni25 wrote

In DC you are not allowed to have live ammo if you don’t have a registered gun to match.

For souvenirs, pick up some spent ammo. Also you have that paper target too that you can keep.

I go to Maryland Small Arms. Call ahead to make sure target practice lanes are available.

41

WontStopAtSigns t1_j5wpc61 wrote

It's all fun and games until you're rubbing the pad off your thumb reloading for 25 minutes.

We live and breath guns in this country. When I wake up I spread the jam on my toast with the barrel of my glock. You're just going to have to head a few min down the road in VA.

4

jestervalen t1_j5wpzso wrote

Xcal shooting sports and fitness in Ashburn has automatics to rent. I would call and ask about what requirements they have in order to use their range well before showing up.

3

Drire t1_j5wv273 wrote

Replying to that-gostof-de-past (#1,496,442)

I'm optimistic that you're being sincere and friendly, but I'm betting a lot of people read this as "uhhhhh that's a weird invite"

Like I myself grew up with guns and owned a few back in Vermont but blinked a few times

I think it sounds like a pretty dope invite, just unexpected

18

MasterofPhun t1_j5wvdca wrote

As a Texan who uses y’all regularly, I just had to comment how much your “you’ll” made me smile

3

PoorPoorCicero t1_j5wx7i5 wrote

You probably know this but be careful traveling home with ammunition; in the country my family is from, someone was jailed for having a bullet (from hunting) in their bag recently

3

Nomorelockeddoors_ t1_j5wyzov wrote

take an uber to Sharpshooters Range in Lorton which will let you shoot, rent guns and keep the ammo and targets that you buy. Plz double check that you can bring this on a flight.

3

DemureCynosure t1_j5wzzw9 wrote

Same thing everyone else has said: no ranges in DC proper. Get a rental car and head to VA. Avoid the NRA range. It's nice but the staff and attendees are douches. Finding full auto is going to be very hard in the DMV. You're not going to have a range that supports "sniper rifles" that's accessible to you. Most local ranges are 25-50 yards. Also, anyone local that has full-auto isn't allowed to let others shoot it under supervision anymore because the ATF just changed their stance without any warning, yet again.

19

MishimaWasRight t1_j5x2m7w wrote

Replying to Drire (#1,498,372)

As a Mississippian I don’t think that’s weird at all but be sure to check the laws on foreigners holding guns I’m not sure that’s allowed on like a tourism or student visa

13

Drire t1_j5x309u wrote

Replying to MishimaWasRight (#1,499,371)

Yeah, I'm betting we have a culture difference on that one. Where I'm from the guys near-cold inviting to go shooting were likely not simply asking to go shooting.

Again, a culture thing. Rural Vermont gets weird

0

Drire t1_j5x3q2b wrote

Replying to MishimaWasRight (#1,499,474)

A foreigner rolling in knowing no one and going shooting with a stranger?

Idk probably drug money, probably some captured attention speech about some stupid subject, probably exposure to a ton of bad folks. I doubt heavy crimes or anything

Granted last time I was in Rutland, VT human trafficking signs were everywhere

−2

MishimaWasRight t1_j5x8jl3 wrote

Replying to Drire (#1,499,516)

From my perspective there is a social obligation to show guests hospitality and make sure they enjoy their stay. For people from many countries guns are a foreign and mysterious thing so this ensures they can go back home and talk about that time strangers in America took them shooting

12

Drire t1_j5x8u8g wrote

Replying to MishimaWasRight (#1,500,110)

That might be the culture difference haha

Southern hospitality vs Northern efficiency -- in this case the northern bit being more predicted on giving the recommendation, the local condition, but not exactly going out of your way

2

ampersand_why t1_j5xfoxp wrote

Replying to that-gostof-de-past (#1,496,883)

If they really are looking for a “f**k yeah ‘Merica” experience though the firearms museum in the NRA building is wild. I took a couple visitors from Germany there a few years ago and stopped a Bob Evans for a bite after. They loved it.

11

TechByDayDjByNight t1_j5xq6w7 wrote

Got to go to virginia or maryland for that. Some places dont let you rent guns unless you are LEO or part of the ARMED FORCES

1

bingol_boii t1_j5yhv47 wrote

Just take a short drive out to either Maryland or Virginia!

2

jdeeebs t1_j5yi73h wrote

You gotta go to Maryland or va

2

MediumPotato t1_j5yj1kx wrote

The year is 2050. America's main industry is gun tourism. Swedes flock to large gun ranges in abandoned amazon warehouses to fire .50 caliber sniper rifles at targets of hunter biden's son bunter biden. Used shells are saved and repurposed into food for underprivileged children. It is the sixth term of the Desantis administration.

21

JNO33 t1_j5yj4nj wrote

Replying to PresidentHarambe1 (#1,497,467)

"Spent ammo" "souvenirs" are a serious crime in DC as well. Only registered firearms owners in DC are allowed to possess constituent parts to ammo. And spent brass, as it can be reloaded, is a crime to possess in DC. peopel in DC, committing no other crime, have been prosecuted for spent shotgun casings.

1

JNO33 t1_j5ymk8p wrote

a few points:

  1. Do this with an instructor. you are going to have some difficulty arriving alone, having never rented a gun at the range you go to, and renting. Most ranges are reticent to rent to a first-time visitor to a range due to people renting and committing suicide right inside the range.

  2. Also if not concurrent with a lesson from an instructor you almost certainly will be yanked off firing line and thrown out of range once you make a mistake in handing/range rules. There is a very low tolerance for mistakes inside a range. simply being a bit excited and moving the muzzle anywhere but downrange will get you grabbed and thrown out by the range safety officer in most ranges.

  3. ) NRA range doesn't rent firearms. So that is pointless to go there without your own firearm. I recommend any of the close in ranges in Va, that allow in premise rentals. "sniper" type setups are going to be outdoors for long range shooting, and outdoor ranges tend not to rent.

  4. If you are coming for a couple of days, and/or since Sweden looks to be visa waiver your visa situation is probably ok. But a lot of people don't know that in fact if you come in on a student visa you can't possesses a firearm in the US. so triple check your visa type.

  5. Do NOT keep any souvenir ammo. Constituent parts to ammo, including spent/fired brass are a crime to possess in DC if you are not a DC registered firearm owner -- and a crime that is prosecuted. constituent parts are also controlled in a lot of European countries as well.

2

John-Basedow t1_j5yqsp4 wrote

Dans Cafe has a place to shoot guns in the back alley

1

JNO33 t1_j5zv7oj wrote

Replying to argumentativ (#1,500,027)

Anyone you tick off. One of the more well know case it was an estranged wife. How do you think DC has found peopel with a single spent casing, and prosecuted them, as it has?

1

JNO33 t1_j5zvw46 wrote

Replying to PresidentHarambe1 (#1,504,962)

I am chill, You on the other head are recommending committing a crime that DC prosecutes. Including a single spent shotgun shell or single spent centerfire brass.

Spent casing is unregistered ammo in DC and prosecuted.

You obviously don't know the law so don't tell people to chill out while you are recommending that a visitor who doesn't know DC gun laws breaks one.

0

JNO33 t1_j5zwi2o wrote

Replying to PresidentHarambe1 (#1,497,467)

>In DC you are not allowed to have live ammo if you don’t have a registered gun to match.
>
>For souvenirs, pick up some spent ammo. Also you have that paper target too that you can keep.

Stop giving advice. Spent Ammo is EXACT same crime as unregistered ammo in DC.

0

Suburbs-suck t1_j6139yr wrote

Swedes don’t need guns, Murica will protect you.

1

foreverurgirl t1_j61r6qm wrote

Go to VA but you can’t take the spent ammo with you bc it has gun powder on it and you can’t have it on you or in your luggage.

1

MishimaWasRight t1_j642tue wrote

Replying to Drire (#1,500,140)

Northerners get a bad rap, last time my brother was in Philly there was a bunch of maintenance happening on one of the subway lines and he had to get back to his hotel (which was not in Philly) before they all closed, anyway he kept trying subway stops but they’d all be closed. So a homeless guy saw he was having trouble and offered to help. Anyway this guy walks 40 minutes with my brother to show him where an open subway without many connecting stops is and didn’t want any payment or anything in return

I have very positive feelings about Philadelphia and get excited when I meet Philadelphians because of this

1