Legal References and requirements to build and run a range

[Quarterbore]

From: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm

A. http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/nlc/index.htm FEDERAL FIREARMS REGULATIONS AND THE OPERATION OF SHOOTING RANGES

Revised: (4/08/02)

ATF concerns pertaining to indoor or outdoor firing ranges are based on the Gun Control Act (GCA), rather than on the entire range of laws, including State laws, that are relevant to firing range enterprises, whether indoor or outdoor. Thus, you would need to contact State and local law enforcement authorities, such as the State Police or the office of your State Attorney General, for general information about shooting ranges in your State, including physical specifications and any State regulations dealing with firearms permits or registration that would affect a shooting range enterprise. (ATF does not register conventional firearms or issue permits for ordinary long guns or handguns.)

With respect to the GCA, ATF jurisdiction would pertain to the acquisition or sale of any firearms involved in this business. If sales or similar transfers of firearms will be involved, you must obtain an application for a Federal firearms license (FFL). Information concerning applications for FFLs is available at the ATF National Licensing Center, Atlanta, Georgia. The full address and phone number are as follows:

ATF National Licensing Center,
2600 Century Parkway NE, Suite 400
Atlanta, GA 30345.
Telephone: 404-417-2750

Website: http://www.atf.treas.gov/firearms/nlc/index.htm

Since loans or rentals of firearms may be planned, you should be aware that the GCA does allow clubs, associations, or similar organizations to authorize persons to target shoot temporarily on association premises without the need for an FFL and without licensee recordkeeping requirements such as completion of 4473 firearms transaction documents. This provision is also applicable to private firing range businesses that do not have FFLs. (See 27 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 178.97, Loan or Rental of Firearms.)

For general information about ranges, another contact is the Web site of the National Association of Shooting Ranges (NASR). The site address is: http://www.rangeinfo.org

Finally, you should be aware that items of public interest and numerous publications are posted on the ATF Internet site. To check if there is anything else relevant to your interest in a shooting range, simply access this site at http://www.atf.treas.gov. You are free to browse, print out, or download any and all publications available.

[sleeper]

Might want to check the NRA. Sometimes they even help you with a little CASH to get it up and running.