# Taking handgun to a shooting range **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 5, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202 "2010-08-05T00:01:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/1 "2010-08-05T00:01:45Z")
I bought a Glock Model 19 from a gun shop several years ago in MS when I was in the military. Now I live in NJ. I want to take it to a shooting range here in NJ, but I’m unsure of how to go about carrying it in. I’m assuming I can’t just have it in a concealed holster or anything like that since we have strict gun laws here. Also, when I moved from MS to NJ, was I supposed to do anything like register it with the state of NJ or anything like that? Just want to make sure it’s legal. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/2 "2010-08-05T00:09:14Z")
In a case. In CA, which is most likely the strictest state, that means unloaded pistol in case (maybe trigger lock/locking case if you want to be safe) and ammo separate. It looks like NJ doesn’t require pistol registration, only “assault weapons” if [opencarry.org](http://opencarry.org) is to be believed. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/3 "2010-08-05T00:09:24Z")
I’m not familiar with NJ law but this is my routine in California. Unload pistol, clear chamber, double check. Lock empty pistol in carry box. Empty magazines of all cartridges, lock magazines and ammo in second carry box. Lock both boxes in trunk. If no trunk, place as far from the driver as possible. We have a minivan and I use two cables to lock the boxes to the seat frames behind the rear row which can only be reached through the back gate. ---
**Author:** ![SanDiegoTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/4 "2010-08-05T00:53:42Z")
W/regard to the gun shop/range, I would suggest entering the facility with it unloaded, no clip, slide back and in a case. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/5 "2010-08-05T01:31:35Z")
Check with a local shop or the range. NJ back 30 years ago had some funky regulations - for a muzzleloader shooter to buy caps you had to have some sort of state ID. Which is why all the shooters from there would stock up when the matches were held in PA. Nothing beats local experience. ---
**Author:** ![BorgHunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@BorgHunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BorgHunter)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/6 "2010-08-05T01:49:35Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > In a case. In CA, which is most likely the strictest state, that means unloaded pistol in case (maybe trigger lock/locking case if you want to be safe) and ammo separate. No way in hell California is the strictest state; it at least allows concealed carry for some. No such thing as concealed carry in Illinois and Wisconsin. ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/7 "2010-08-05T01:53:12Z")
I just found a website for a local shooting range and it says “must present a valid firearms ID card.” 😕 ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/8 "2010-08-05T01:55:08Z")
> [@BorgHunter](#): > > > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > > > In a case. In CA, which is most likely the strictest state, that means unloaded pistol in case (maybe trigger lock/locking case if you want to be safe) and ammo separate. > > No way in hell California is the strictest state; it at least allows concealed carry for some. No such thing as concealed carry in Illinois and Wisconsin. I was referring to strictest in terms of transportation. Otherwise, I don’t think CCW is the end-all in determining freedom, and even then I would think that CA is worse _in general_. DC is probably the worst, but I doubt they even have ranges. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/9 "2010-08-05T02:10:36Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > I’m not familiar with NJ law but this is my routine in California. > > Unload pistol, clear chamber, double check. > Lock empty pistol in carry box. > > Empty magazines of all cartridges, lock magazines and ammo in second carry box. > > Lock both boxes in trunk. > If no trunk, place as far from the driver as possible. > > We have a minivan and I use two cables to lock the boxes to the seat frames behind the rear row which can only be reached through the back gate. New Jersey laws are frighteningly familiar. And the rules do state you need a Firearms ID Cards, issued by the local police in your township. When I got mine in Hamilton, they didn’t care what and how many firearms I brought here when I moved here, but I’d need another card to buy a new firearm. In PRACTICE, I do carry my small gun safe, but the guys at the range don’t give a hoot, and unless I am in an accident of some other police related intervention, they won’t know I don’t carry ammo in a separate safe (I don’t have two). I know those who are not as law abiding as I am, as much as I am. I moved here from Georgia, and this was one of many cultural adjustments I am still in the process of absorbing. N.J.S. 2C:39-6(g) ``` "All weapons being transported under paragraph (2) of subsection b., subsection e., or paragraph (1) or (3) of subsection f. of this section shall be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gunbox, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which it is being transported, and in the course of travel shall include only such deviations as are reasonably necessary under the circumstances." ``` ---
**Author:** ![Fantome](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Fantome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fantome)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/10 "2010-08-05T02:16:18Z")
> [@UncleBill](#): > > New Jersey laws are frighteningly familiar. And the rules do state you need a Firearms ID Cards, issued by the local police in your township. You need a Firearms ID Card to do what? Do I need one just for keeping the gun I purchased in MS in my house? ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/11 "2010-08-05T02:22:26Z")
> [@SanDiegoTim](#): > > W/regard to the gun shop/range, I would suggest entering the facility with it unloaded, no **clip** , slide back and in a case. Repeat after me, [magazine, magazine, magazine.](http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ClipMagazineLesson.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/12 "2010-08-05T14:46:55Z")
> [@Fantome](#): > > I just found a website for a local shooting range and it says “must present a valid firearms ID card.” 😕 That is going back to what I remember/mentioned in my post. Don’t worry - they are fairly easy to get most times. The range or a local gun shop can talk you through the process. Or you can join a club/range here in PA. Or PM with **Unclebill** - it looks like he has things down pretty pat. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/13 "2010-08-05T14:58:32Z")
> [@Amp](#): > > > [@SanDiegoTim](#): > > > > W/regard to the gun shop/range, I would suggest entering the facility with it unloaded, no **clip** , slide back and in a case. > > Repeat after me, [magazine, magazine, magazine.](http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ClipMagazineLesson.jpg) Silly! Clips are what you put bullets in, magazines are what you put pictures of pretty girls in! 😃 I think that, given that someone is unlikely to actually have a mishap or a problem because they confused a clip with a magazine, the argument is pedantic at best. I seriously doubt you will ever see someone trying to force an actual ammo clip into an M-16’s magazine well. As for the OP: Call the shooting range and ask. They’re very likely to know the pertinent gun laws, and they will almost certainly know how _they_ want you to enter the store with a gun. In my experience, a weapon that enters the store in a concealed carry will remain in a concealed carry, to make sure you prevent any unfortunate misunderstandings when you whip it out. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/14 "2010-08-05T15:22:03Z")
I am in PA. I always bring my handgun in a case or soft sided carrier. On one occasion I was at the counter paying when another customer walked in, came up to the desk, and pulled his gun outa the waistband of his pants. I thought there was gonna be a stickup! ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/15 "2010-08-05T16:22:39Z")
Things have certainly changed. Gun racks were common in trucks. Heck I drove my dads truck to school a few times with a 22 in the gun rack. We always unloaded it. But, still in todays world they’d call out the swat team. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/16 "2010-08-05T16:23:27Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > On one occasion I was at the counter paying when another customer walked in, came up to the desk, and pulled his gun outa the waistband of his pants. I thought there was gonna be a stickup! …and considering that most gun shop employees are usually carrying holstered pistols, its a very dangerous habit. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/17 "2010-08-05T18:43:32Z")
> [@SanDiegoTim](#): > > clip _magazine_ ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/18 "2010-08-05T21:07:53Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Things have certainly changed. Gun racks were common in trucks. Heck I drove my dads truck to school a few times with a 22 in the gun rack. We always unloaded it. But, still in todays world they’d call out the swat team. In California, you can carry a rifle openly as long as it’s not loaded and no ammo is within reach of the driver. [Cite.](http://www.ag.ca.gov/firearms/travel.php) ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/19 "2010-08-05T22:29:40Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > > [@Amp](#): > > > > Repeat after me, [magazine, magazine, magazine.](http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/ClipMagazineLesson.jpg) > > Silly! Clips are what you put bullets in, magazines are what you put pictures of pretty girls in! :D. Someone never served time in the Marine Corps… At any rate (and I live in NJ and have a similar sidearm), the laws are a bit funny. There is essentially no right to own a firearm (you can get a permit to purchase for about $3, but nothing saying you can own it - unless you fit a certain “class” of folks). If memory serves, you have to keep the weapon stowed during transit, unloaded, with a barrel- or trigger-lock. No one wants your non-LEO, non-military, non-celebrity, non-huge-sums-of-cash-carrying ass walking around locked and loaded. As an anecdote, I was once pulled over by a local cop on the way to a pistol range (in a convoy of about 5 federal LEOs, although I was a civilian). The cop was pissed about my expired registration (by 1 day). I didn’t have the heart to tell him that the bag next me on the passenger seat had a locked and cocked Glock in it. So 10 minutes later, at the range, I informed his boss of what an idiot this guy was. He could easily have gotten killed, had I been not such an upstanding guy. And yes, I was breaking the law in transporting the weapon that way. I was a stupid 23 year old working with law enforcement every day. But I was less stupid than that guy. Handcuffs don’t kill, people who belong in handcuffs kill. ---
**Author:** ![cuberdon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@cuberdon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuberdon)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-handgun-to-a-shooting-range/549202/20 "2010-08-05T22:40:43Z")
To the OP: this may have been mentioned, but have you tried calling the range you’re going to? I’d be pretty amazed if they couldn’t give you very accurate information as to the legal requirements for owning and transporting the weapon.