MINIMUM AGE TO SHOOT AT INCORPORATED GUN CLUB RANGE?

[defrazzle]

I run the trap range at our incorporated gun club.  I was asked by a prospective attendee if they could bring their 11 year old to shoot trap.  I did not know if it was legal for the under 12 year old to shoot.  I asked the regional DEC ECO's and got several different answers.  One was 16 years, one was 12 years old. After reading the New York Penal Code, specifically 265-20, and then the exception paragraph (7D) I came away with a different answer. Can someone with legal experience in law enforcement or just experience with this situation comment as to WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE A PERSON CAN SHOOT AT A NEW YORK STATE INCORPORATED GUN RANGE.

 

Thanks for any input or comments.

 

Here is the PARTIALpenal code, as the entire verbiage is TOO LONG to list here....All penal laws can be searched here:  http://ypdcrime.com/penal.law/article265.htm?zoom_highlight=265.20#p265.20

 

 

S 265.20 Exemptions.
a. Paragraph (h) of subdivision twenty-two of section 265.00 and
sections 265.01, 265.01-a, subdivision one of section 265.01-b, 265.02,
265.03, 265.04, 265.05, 265.10, 265.11, 265.12, 265.13, 265.15, 265.36,
265.37 and 270.05 shall not apply to:
1-6 omitted

7. Possession, at an indoor or outdoor shooting range for the purpose
of loading and firing, of a rifle or shotgun, the propelling force of
which is gunpowder by a person under sixteen years of age but not under
twelve, under the immediate supervision, guidance and instruction of (a)
a duly commissioned officer of the United States army, navy, air force,
marine corps or coast guard, or of the national guard of the state of
New York; or ( a duly qualified adult citizen of the United States who
has been granted a certificate as an instructor in small arms practice
issued by the United States army, navy, air force or marine corps, or by
the adjutant general of this state, or by the national rifle association
of America, a not-for-profit corporation duly organized under the laws
of this state; or © a parent, guardian, or a person over the age of
eighteen designated in writing by such parent or guardian who shall have
a certificate of qualification in responsible hunting, including safety,
ethics, and landowner relations-hunter relations, issued or honored by
the department of environmental conservation; or (d) an agent of the
department of environmental conservation appointed to conduct courses in
responsible hunting practices pursuant to article eleven of the
environmental conservation law.
7-a. Possession and use, at an indoor or outdoor pistol range located
in or on premises owned or occupied by a duly incorporated organization
organized for conservation purposes or to foster proficiency in small
arms or at a target pistol shooting competition under the auspices of or
approved by the national rifle association for the purpose of loading
and firing the same, by a person duly licensed to possess a pistol or
revolver pursuant to section 400.00 or 400.01 of this chapter of a
pistol or revolver duly so licensed to another person who is present at
the time.
7-b. Possession and use, at an indoor or outdoor pistol range located
in or on premises owned or occupied by a duly incorporated organization
organized for conservation purposes or to foster proficiency in small
arms or at a target pistol shooting competition under the auspices of or
approved by the national rifle association for the purpose of loading
and firing the same, by a person who has applied for a license to
possess a pistol or revolver and pre-license possession of same pursuant
to section 400.00 or 400.01 of this chapter, who has not been previously
denied a license, been previously convicted of a felony or serious
offense, and who does not appear to be, or pose a threat to be, a danger
to himself or to others, and who has been approved for possession and
use herein in accordance with section 400.00 or 400.01 of this chapter;
provided however, that such possession shall be of a pistol or revolver
duly licensed to and shall be used under the supervision, guidance and
instruction of, a person specified in paragraph seven of this
subdivision and provided further that such possession and use be within
the jurisdiction of the licensing officer with whom the person has made
application therefor or within the jurisdiction of the superintendent of
state police in the case of a retired sworn member of the division of
state police who has made an application pursuant to section 400.01 of
this chapter.
7-c. Possession for the purpose of loading and firing, of a rifle,
pistol or shotgun, the propelling force of which may be either air,
compressed gas or springs, by a person under sixteen years of age but
not under twelve, under the immediate supervision, guidance and
instruction of (a) a duly commissioned officer of the United States
army, navy, marine corps or coast guard, or of the national guard of the
state of New York; or ( a duly qualified adult citizen of the United
States who has been granted a certificate as an instructor in small arms
practice issued by the United States army, navy or marine corps, or by
the adjutant general of this state, or by the national rifle association
of America, a not-for-profit corporation duly organized under the laws
of this state; or © a parent, guardian, or a person over the age of
eighteen designated in writing by such parent or guardian who shall have
a certificate of qualification in responsible hunting, including safety,
ethics, and landowner relations-hunter relations, issued or honored by
the department of environmental conservation.
7-d. Possession, at an indoor or outdoor shooting range for the
purpose of loading and firing, of a rifle, pistol or shotgun, the
propelling force of which may be either air, compressed gas or springs,
by a person under twelve years of age, under the immediate supervision,
guidance and instruction of (a) a duly commissioned officer of the
United States army, navy, marine corps or coast guard, or of the
national guard of the state of New York; or ( a duly qualified adult
citizen of the United States who has been granted a certificate as an
instructor in small arms practice issued by the United States army, navy
or marine corps, or by the adjutant general of this state, or by the
national rifle association of America, a not-for-profit corporation duly
organized under the laws of this state; or © a parent, guardian, or a
person over the age of eighteen designated in writing by such parent or
guardian who shall have a certificate of qualification in responsible
hunting, including safety, ethics, and landowner relations-hunter
relations, issued or honored by the department of environmental
conservation.
7-e. Possession and use of a pistol or revolver, at an indoor or
outdoor pistol range located in or on premises owned or occupied by a
duly incorporated organization organized for conservation purposes or to
foster proficiency in small arms or at a target pistol shooting
competition under the auspices of or approved by an association or
organization described in paragraph 7-a of this subdivision for the
purpose of loading and firing the same by a person at least fourteen
years of age but under the age of twenty-one who has not been previously
convicted of a felony or serious offense, and who does not appear to be,
or pose a threat to be, a danger to himself or to others; provided
however, that such possession shall be of a pistol or revolver duly
licensed to and shall be used under the immediate supervision, guidance
and instruction of, a person specified in paragraph seven of this
subdivision.

[NFA-ADK]

12 is the minimum age to be able to handle a firearm in NY.

[defrazzle]

I just got a call from our police chief, (who I talked to this morning while going to the post office) and he did do some research on this.  In the end, a person UNDER 12 years of age, can only shoot a gun propelled by GAS, AIR OR SPRING at a range with the proper supervision as outlined in the 265-20, 7d.

 

A person who is OVER 12 can shoot a gun propelled by gas, air, spring or GUN POWDER at a range with the proper supervision as outlined in the 265-20, 7d.

 

Now I finally understand the law as written.

[jjb4900]

the way I read that exemption is that a person under the age of 12 is good to go, as long as he or she is under the immediate supervision of one of those people listed..........and if I read it correctly, a parent who has the listed qualifications can also supervise, the big question as for the parent, is whether or not a hunter ed certificate meets the criteria needed.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I just got a call from our police chief, (who I talked to this morning while going to the post office) and he did do some research on this.  In the end, a person UNDER 12 years of age, can only shoot a gun propelled by GAS, AIR OR SPRING at a range with the proper supervision as outlined in the 265-20, 7d.

 

A person who is OVER 12 can shoot a gun propelled by gas, air, spring or GUN POWDER at a range with the proper supervision as outlined in the 265-20, 7d.

 

Now I finally understand the law as written.

Unless it is a pistol and then it is over 14 and  under 21 to do it.

[jjb4900]

I just got a call from our police chief, (who I talked to this morning while going to the post office) and he did do some research on this.  In the end, a person UNDER 12 years of age, can only shoot a gun propelled by GAS, AIR OR SPRING at a range with the proper supervision as outlined in the 265-20, 7d.

 

A person who is OVER 12 can shoot a gun propelled by gas, air, spring or GUN POWDER at a range with the proper supervision as outlined in the 265-20, 7d.

 

Now I finally understand the law as written.

I went back and reread it, and that's how it reads (the second time around)........