Were do I shoot an air gun in MN?

[Being]

I have a conundrum
I don't own any fire arms, I want to purchase a Benjamin Trail NP Nitro Piston, I live in the Twin Cities.

Where can I go and practice shooting this so called 'firearm'? My backyard has 0 privacy. I am also 30+ yrs old, I dont want to be surrounded by kids or feel weirded out because I'm using an air rifle.

[xd ED]

What's the longest(diagonal) measurement of your basement?

Check with these guys, there are spots they have matches- I know they once had a car dealership showroom where they shot... maybe even see what they have for sale:
B & B Supply Co

(612) 724-5230

4501 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406

[river_boater]

How big is your basement?

ETA: xd ED beat me to it.

[bstrawse]

There is an air rifle range at Oakdale Gun Club - but we're not open to the public until June...

[mc762x54R]

I shoot my RWS-34 in my garage all the time...about 10 yards diagonal. Short range i know but its good for iron-sight practice. Spent rifle case at 10 yards is about as big as a deer or something at 100+ yards

[Erud]

I shoot 10m air rifle down my upstairs hallway almost every day. I built a trap using duct seal putty and hung it on my spare bedroom wall at the end of the hall. Buy official 10m targets from the CMP, Champions Choice or Creedmoor Sports(to name a few) and get to work on perfecting your position. My scores on the 10m targets are a pretty close representation of actual scores fired on the NRA 200 yard highpower target for shooting off hand. A little higher at 10m, which I attribute mostly to not having any wind do deal with. The x "ring" is just a dot about the size of a pencil tip at 10m. Great practice.

PM if your like any further info.

Good luck,
Erik

[Mn01r6]

I used to shoot in the basement all the time as a kid. My dad built a trap out of a cardboard box with 3-4 layers of carpet remnants cut to fit inside. After a year or two you might want to replace the remnants as I did start to shoot through them.

[sgruenhagen44]

Don't shoot it in your backyard at squirrels who are destroying your atic in north st. paul. I can assure your this is illegal.

[xd ED]

Don't shoot it in your backyard at squirrels who are destroying your atic in north st. paul. I can assure your this is illegal.

Yep.
Legally, air rifles are generally considered firearms, with all the potential ramifications.

[XDM45]

Don't shoot it in your backyard at squirrels who are destroying your atic in north st. paul. I can assure your this is illegal.

Yep.
Legally, air rifles are generally considered firearms, with all the potential ramifications.

If that's true, then why don't you need a PTP to get one? Same thing with a BB gun.

[xd ED]

Don't shoot it in your backyard at squirrels who are destroying your atic in north st. paul. I can assure your this is illegal.

Yep.
Legally, air rifles are generally considered firearms, with all the potential ramifications.

If that's true, then why don't you need a PTP to get one? Same thing with a BB gun.

I said "generally" . Perhaps not so much with possession, but the discharge (and I suspect even carrying one) near the state's tallest buildings- air guns, and I'm pretty sure archery equipment, is addressed in local firearm ordinances.

[2in2out]

I've been wanting a nitro piston air rifle for quite a while. The Benjamin Trail is one I've considered, and I'd be really interested to know what you think of it.

While I wouldn't be surprised that city ordinances within the Twin Cities metro would be different than outstate, they don't lump archery and air guns into the category of "firearms" out here. It's a bummer to have such a small backyard that you can't make a "pop" without someone hearing it, and I'd start with the suggested alternative - basement or garage. Then, try a shooting range for longer distances. I have a blowgun and practice that in my garage, and that works fine.

Oh... here's a thought - The DNR maintains areas for hunting that are available to the public. I don't see why these couldn't be used for air gun practice. The short ranges and lack of noise wouldn't cause any problems with wildlife or anyone else using the area. Check this out - I'll bet you can find somewhere to go to test out that new rifle and let me know what you think:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/tips/locations.html

[Being]

xd ED, river_boater, bstrawse, mc762x54R, Erud, Mn01r6, sgruenhagen44, XDM45, 2in2out

Thank you much for your quick replies. I am out of town, will measure the basement and garage when I'm back and post the numbers here.

I've been wanting a nitro piston air rifle for quite a while. The Benjamin Trail is one I've considered, and I'd be really interested to know what you think of it.

While I wouldn't be surprised that city ordinances within the Twin Cities metro would be different than outstate, they don't lump archery and air guns into the category of "firearms" out here. It's a bummer to have such a small backyard that you can't make a "pop" without someone hearing it, and I'd start with the suggested alternative - basement or garage. Then, try a shooting range for longer distances. I have a blowgun and practice that in my garage, and that works fine.

Oh... here's a thought - The DNR maintains areas for hunting that are available to the public. I don't see why these couldn't be used for air gun practice. The short ranges and lack of noise wouldn't cause any problems with wildlife or anyone else using the area. Check this out - I'll bet you can find somewhere to go to test out that new rifle and let me know what you think:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/tips/locations.html

From research alone (on Amazon and on youtube) this is the rifle I am thinking of getting (but I have not decided, I am worried these might be made in China and I much rather go with American made or German). I dont own any firearms, but when I was a kid I used to go out with my grandfather and shoot birds with a break action (spring) gun that i loved. Watching the youtube videos brought back so many memories and reminded me of how much i enjoyed improving my aim. This was not done in the US, back then we simply walked down a mountain side to the valley below and used the air guns and one shot gun, no permits no shpermits, total freedom. There were barely any people there and if they were no one cared.

Unfortunately, truth is, I am extra paranoid about this because I don't look totally midwest white and I feel awkward that people would be more worried seeing me with any kind gun than an average joe who blends in. but i guess today, everyone is afraid of guns or anything that resembles a gun.

I think it is ignorant to consider air guns 'firearms' but it is what it is. In a nation like ours I wish there was more acceptance of guns in the mainstream, I think we need more PR to show people that shooting (air) guns is fun and relaxing and teaches calmness and concentration (speaking from my air-gun experience). I wish my backyard was larger with more privacy and space, It is my dream to live out in the country with lots of space around my house. Right now i get 0 (even less than 0) privacy at my place.

DNR hunting zones sounds like a good idea.

Does any one know about laws in neighboring states (IA, WI, ND, SD) on air rifles possession, shooting, and is carrying them over state borders an issue?

[xd ED]

xd ED, river_boater, bstrawse, mc762x54R, Erud, Mn01r6, sgruenhagen44, XDM45, 2in2out

Thank you much for your quick replies. I am out of town, will measure the basement and garage when I'm back and post the numbers here.

I've been wanting a nitro piston air rifle for quite a while. The Benjamin Trail is one I've considered, and I'd be really interested to know what you think of it.

While I wouldn't be surprised that city ordinances within the Twin Cities metro would be different than outstate, they don't lump archery and air guns into the category of "firearms" out here. It's a bummer to have such a small backyard that you can't make a "pop" without someone hearing it, and I'd start with the suggested alternative - basement or garage. Then, try a shooting range for longer distances. I have a blowgun and practice that in my garage, and that works fine.

Oh... here's a thought - The DNR maintains areas for hunting that are available to the public. I don't see why these couldn't be used for air gun practice. The short ranges and lack of noise wouldn't cause any problems with wildlife or anyone else using the area. Check this out - I'll bet you can find somewhere to go to test out that new rifle and let me know what you think:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/tips/locations.html

From research alone (on Amazon and on youtube) this is the rifle I am thinking of getting (but I have not decided, I am worried these might be made in China and I much rather go with American made or German). I dont own any firearms, but when I was a kid I used to go out with my grandfather and shoot birds with a break action (spring) gun that i loved. Watching the youtube videos brought back so many memories and reminded me of how much i enjoyed improving my aim. This was not done in the US, back then we simply walked down a mountain side to the valley below and used the air guns and one shot gun, no permits no shpermits, total freedom. There were barely any people there and if they were no one cared.

Unfortunately, truth is, I am extra paranoid about this because I don't look totally midwest white and I feel awkward that people would be more worried seeing me with any kind gun than an average joe who blends in. but i guess today, everyone is afraid of guns or anything that resembles a gun.

I think it is ignorant to consider air guns 'firearms' but it is what it is. In a nation like ours I wish there was more acceptance of guns in the mainstream, I think we need more PR to show people that shooting (air) guns is fun and relaxing and teaches calmness and concentration (speaking from my air-gun experience). I wish my backyard was larger with more privacy and space, It is my dream to live out in the country with lots of space around my house. Right now i get 0 (even less than 0) privacy at my place.

DNR hunting zones sounds like a good idea.

Does any one know about laws in neighboring states (IA, WI, ND, SD) on air rifles possession, shooting, and is carrying them over state borders an issue?

As airguns are bought/ sold/ shipped throughout the country, if not the world without FFL involvement, I can't imagine a state boundary would be an issue. I think if you are not in a city proper, and are safe you should be OK. Keep in mind, many people can't tell the difference between an air rifle and a true firearm( as there is little difference in appearance), you can draw some short-lived attention to yourself.
Another thought is an indoor range, if you wsh to pay the fees. Might be worth checking at Bill's(north I believe allows them), or Burnsville Pistol Range.

[old guy]

Afew years ago I inquired of the local PD (northeast mpls.) about shooting a bow in Mpls. and there was no law aginst it.

John