Ever wanted to shoot guns legally? - (Next: Sat/Sun June 9/10, 2012 near London, ON)

[tritium4ever]

So this is a continuation of my previous three "ever wanted to shoot guns legally" threads, which apparently have been quite popular. I'll consolidate all future events into this one thread so that it'll serve as a good reference for people wanting to keep tabs on upcoming events. All events will be sorted by chronological order to make things easy to find.

As in previous threads, I'll reiterate that I have no connection to the organizations mentioned below and that I'm not benefiting financially (or otherwise) by promoting these events. I'm simply posting these events to create public awareness of the shooting sports and to allow people to experience the use of firearms in a safe and legal manner.

Last updated: 2012-05-10


UPCOMING EVENTS:

Saturday, June 9 & Sunday, June 10, 2012 @ EESA (near London, ON)
EESA's 12th annual Open House

Who: East Elgin Sportsmen's Association
What: Try out some of the 100+ guns that will be available for use, from shotguns to handguns to rifles. Entry fee is $10 per person or $30 per family, with ammunition tickets at $1 each (the number of tickets required will vary depending on the calibre and magazine capacity of the firearm you are shooting). Archery is also available, and hearing and eye protection will be provided. Food will also be available at additional cost.
Where: 9586 Springfield Road, Aylmer ON (closest major city is London ON about 20 minutes away). Between Glencolin Line and Talbot Line...see here for a Google Maps link: http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=9586+Sp...o+N0L+2J0&z=16
When: Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10, 2012, from 10am to 5pm (gates close at 4pm)
Why: Try out a huge variety of guns all in one convenient place!

Flyer: http://eesa.ca/media/Web_EESA_2012_O...use_Poster.pdf

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Saturday, June 23, 2012 @ Claybird Gun Club (about 50km from London, ON)
Claybird Gun Club Open House

Who: Claybird Gun Club
What: Claybird's Open House is an opportunity for members of the public to try out various firearms. There is no entrance fee, the only cost is ammunition tickets at $1 each (the number of tickets required will vary depending on the calibre and magazine capacity of the firearm you are shooting). Food will also be available at additional cost.
Where: 71363 Ausable Line, Bluewater ON (closest major city is London ON about 50km away). See here for a Google Maps link: http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=71363+A...M+1W0&t=h&z=14
When: Saturday, June 23, 2012, from 10am to 2pm
Why: Try out a variety of guns!

Flyer: http://www.claybird.ca/wp-content/up...nhouse2012.pdf

Note: This is the first I've heard of this event, so I have no idea if this is an annual thing or if it's a one-off. I would very much appreciate feedback from anyone who goes. My understanding is that the place is a relatively small club, and the rifle range is apparently closed right now so I would expect largely handguns and shotguns to be available.

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do I need a firearms license to shoot?
A: No, a firearms license is not required! You will be supervised by a licensed shooter (as required by law) to ensure the firearms are handled safely and responsibly.

Q: How old do I have to be to shoot? At least 18?
A: Legally speaking there is no minimum age required to be able to use firearms. Practically speaking, a shooter would need to have the maturity and motor skills required to handle a gun safely. My younger brother had no trouble handling the recoil of a .45 calibre handgun when he was ten years old. Just think of it this way: if you wouldn't trust your kid with a knife, don't put a gun in his hands. Note that minors will need to have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

Q: I am a gun owner or I know a friend who owns guns. Can I bring my own guns and ammo?
A: No! Organizers need to be able to control the types of guns and ammunition used during public events to ensure safety, and that means that only the guns and ammo provided are allowed.

Q: I'd like to try shooting but I don't like the long lineups of public events. What are my options?
A: There are a couple ways you can go shooting without the lineups. The easiest and cheapest is to know a gun owner who's willing to take you to a range as a guest. Alternatively, some for-profit businesses (such as Target Sports Canada) offer range orientation sessions that allow you to shoot your choice of guns for a price, typically a session fee plus the cost of ammo. This is the most expensive way to go about it, but you won't have to wait and chances are the selection of guns will be greater than what the typical gun owner will have access to.

Q: Aren't guns dangerous? What if I get shot?
A: Yes, the use of firearms is inherently dangerous. Then again, driving a car is also inherently dangerous. Just like when driving, the risk of injury or death when shooting a gun is significantly mitigated when the proper precautions are taken. As long as you listen to your range officer and pay attention to what you are doing when you are in control of a firearm, the shooting sports are no more dangerous than many other sports. Remember, the statistics show that you are far more likely to be injured or killed on your way to the range than you are at the range.

[tritium4ever]

PAST EVENTS:

Sunday, May 6, 2012 @ Target Sports Canada (GTA)
Glock Day

Who: Target Sports Canada
What: Try your hand at shooting various Glock guns. Cost will be $30 for 3 mags of ammo and a raffle ticket, with free food.
Where: 14 Stalwart Industrial Drive, Gormley ON, about 20 minutes north of Toronto along the 404.
When: Sunday, May 6, 2012, from 9am to 4pm
Why: Shoot some guns! Proceeds from the event will be donated to charity (Northern Lights Wildlife).

Flyer: http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...2adv1final.jpg

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Sunday, October 2, 2011 @ The Shooting Edge (Calgary)
Glock and NEA Day

Who: The Shooting Edge, Calgary AB
What: Try your hand at shooting various Glock pistols and NEA AR-15 rifles. Cost will be $20 for ammo tickets and a raffle ticket (raffle prizes are an NEA AR-15 upper receiver and a Glock pistol).
Where: Bay #4, 510 77 Avenue S.E., right in the city of Calgary.
When: Sunday, October 2, 2011, from 10am to 4pm
Why: Shoot some guns! Proceeds from the event will be donated to Veteran's Food Bank and Wounded Warriors.

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Sunday, September 18, 2011 @ Target Sports Canada (GTA)
Smith & Wesson Day

Who: Target Sports Canada
What: Try your hand at shooting various Smith & Wesson guns. Cost will be $30 for 3 mags of ammo and a raffle ticket, with free food.
Where: 14 Stalwart Industrial Drive, Gormley ON, about 20 minutes north of Toronto along the 404.
When: Sunday, September 18, 2011, from 9am to 4pm
Why: Shoot some guns! Proceeds from the event will be donated to Cancer & Palliative Care at Southlake Hospital in Newmarket.

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June 11-12, 2011 @ EESA (London, ON)
EESA's 11th annual Open House

Who: East Elgin Sportsmen's Association
What: Try out some of the 100+ guns that will be available for use, from shotguns to handguns to rifles. Entry fee is $5 per person or $20 per family, with ammunition tickets at $1 each (the number of tickets required will vary depending on the calibre and magazine capacity of the firearm you are shooting). Archery is also available, and hearing and eye protection will be provided. Food will also be available at additional cost.
Where: 9586 Springfield Road, Aylmer ON (closest major city is London ON about 20 minutes away). Between Glencolin Line and Talbot Line...see here for a Google Maps link: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&sourc...h&z=13&iwloc=A
When: Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12, 2011, from 10am to 5pm (gates close at 4pm)
Why: Try out a huge variety of guns all in one convenient place!

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Sunday, May 15, 2011 @ Target Sports Canada (GTA)
Glock Day

Who: Target Sports Canada
What: Try your hand at shooting various Glock guns. Cost will be $30 for 3 mags of ammo and a raffle ticket, with free food.
Where: 14 Stalwart Industrial Drive, Gormley ON, about 20 minutes north of Toronto along the 404.
When: Sunday, May 15, 2011, from 9am to 5pm
Why: Shoot some guns! Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Yellow Brick House.

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Sunday, April 10, 2011 @ Target Sports Canada (GTA)
Sig Sauer Day

Who: Target Sports Canada
What: Try your hand at shooting various Sig Sauer guns. Cost will be $30 for 3 mags of ammo and a raffle ticket, with free food.
Where: 14 Stalwart Industrial Drive, Gormley ON, about 20 minutes north of Toronto along the 404.
When: Sunday, April 10, 2011, from 9am to 5pm (ticket sales end at 3pm so that everyone has a chance to shoot)
Why: Shoot some guns! Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Red Cross Relief Fund for Japan.

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Sunday, October 17, 2010 @ Target Sports Canada (GTA)
Glock Day

Who: Target Sports Center
What: Try your hand at shooting some guns from Glock. Prices and other details not available for now, but assume the same as previous events...$30 for 3 mags of ammo and a raffle ticket, with free food.
Where: 14 Stalwart Industrial Drive, Gormley ON (about 20 minutes north of Toronto along the 404).
When: Sunday, October 17, 2010, from 9am to 4pm
Why: Shoot some guns! Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation.

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Sunday, September 26, 2010 @ Target Sports Centre (GTA)
Smith & Wesson Day

Who: Target Sports Center
What: Try your hand at shooting some guns from Smith & Wesson. Prices and other details not available for now, but assume the same as previous events...$30 for 3 mags of ammo and a raffle ticket, with free food.
Where: 14 Stalwart Industrial Drive, Gormley ON (about 20 minutes north of Toronto along the 404).
When: Sunday, September 26, 2010, from 9am to 4pm
Why: Shoot some guns! Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

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June 12-13, 2010 @ EESA (London, ON)
EESA's 10th annual Open House

Who: East Elgin Sportsmen's Association
What: Try out some of the 100+ guns that will be available for use, from shotguns to handguns to rifles. Entry fee is $5 per person or $20 per family, with ammunition tickets at $1 each (the number of tickets required will vary depending on the calibre and magazine capacity of the firearm you are shooting). Hearing and eye protection will be provided. Archery is also available! Food will also be available at additional cost.
Where: 9586 Springfield Road, Aylmer ON (closest major city is London ON about 20 minutes away). Between Glencolin Line and Talbot Line...see here for a Google Maps link: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...,0.617981&z=11
When: Saturday, June 12 and Sunday, June 13, 2010, from 10am to 5pm (gates close at 4pm)
Why: Try out a huge variety of guns all in one convenient place!

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Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ Target Sports Centre (GTA)
Don't be an ass! Come shoot some brass!

Who: Target Sports Center
What: Try your hand at shooting some pistols and rifles from Ruger, Heckler & Koch, Taurus, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, and CZ in the indoor range. $30 buys you three ammo tickets (each good for one magazine of ammo) and a raffle ticket for the handgun prize draw. Extra ammo tickets or raffle tickets are available at $10 each. Hearing and eye protection will be provided. Free BBQ!
Where: 14 Stalwart Industrial Drive, Gormley ON (about 20 minutes north of Toronto along the 404).
When: Sunday, May 16, 2010, from 9am to 4pm
Why: Shoot some guns! Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society for Prostate Cancer and the Canadian Shooting Sports Association.

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Sunday, October 18, 2009 @ Target Sports Centre (GTA)
Glock Day

Sunday, September 20, 2009 @ Target Sports Centre (GTA)
Smith & Wesson Day in support of the Military Families Fund

June 13-14, 2009 @ EESA (London, ON)
EESA's 9th annual Open House

May 9, 2009 @ Target Sports Centre (GTA)
Stoeger Day in support of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation

April 18, 2009 @ Target Sports Centre (GTA)
Sig Sauer & Breast Cancer Awareness Day

[Cryptic_Soul]

do u need to take any safety classes before you start shooting?

[tritium4ever]

do u need to take any safety classes before you start shooting?

Nope, all shooters will be supervised by a licensed person on a 1 to 1 basis (as is required by law). They should be giving you a quick rundown of the safety basics...always point the gun in a safe direction (i.e. downrange), finger off the trigger until ready to fire, and assume all guns are loaded.

[confused]

i'll be there again, went to the previous meet for the first time and had a blast trying out the different guns... although the lineup wait did suck..

[Eyies]

Keep up the good work tritium.

[Alienxx45]

i'll be there again, went to the previous meet for the first time and had a blast trying out the different guns... although the lineup wait did suck..

how long roughly was the wait?

[confused]

45-1hr, the office area is tiny so the line snaked all over the place

[NiMSo]

45-1hr, the office area is tiny so the line snaked all over the place

Ouch, that's a pretty long wait. However, what time was this at? Any idea how many people were there at the opening time?

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

I don't like long line ups, I may pass on this.

[FreaknBigPanda]

Do we get to shoot rifles or only handguns?

[tritium4ever]

Do we get to shoot rifles or only handguns?

If you're talking about the Target Sports event, it should be handgun only. For the previous two events there (Smith & Wesson day and Glock day), they only had handguns available so I expect that trend to continue. Besides, the facility is designed for handguns and has a max range of 25m so it really isn't a challenge for rifles (most rifle ranges start at a bare minimum of 50m, with the most common distance being 100m). Heck, I'm not even sure if the range is certified for rifle use.

[FreaknBigPanda]

Is there anywhere in the GTA that you can shoot rifles? I would like a range of at least 100m, even more would be preferable like 150-200m.

[tritium4ever]

Is there anywhere in the GTA that you can shoot rifles? I would like a range of at least 100m, even more would be preferable like 150-200m.

The Oshawa Skeet & Gun Club is about 40-45 minutes east of Toronto (from the 404/401 intersection). The rifle range goes up to 300m. As a side note, OSGC will likely be hosting the shooting events if Toronto wins the PanAm Games bid.

I know there are a couple other clubs within a similar distance from Toronto, but their names elude me at the moment. Don't bother looking for a rifle range over 50m inside Toronto itself though...it doesn't exist, and never will.

[LeetViet]

Hi tritium4ever!