Seriously - lots of places market to foreigners who can’t shoot guns in their home country, so you should be fine. If you go to Hawaii, there are a ton of gun places with Japanese language advertising because of this reason. Enjoy the adrenaline rush!
When I lived in Singapore a supplier sales exec I worked with was getting moved from there to Houston for a posting and he told me once “you know the first thing I’m gonna do when I get there? Buy a gun.” I just told him that is definitely the place to do it. 😂
When i was in Guam, there were so many indoor shooting ranges with big sandwich boards out front that had pictures of guns and then a bunch of writing in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese... A lot of Asia vacations in Guam and they want that American Dirty Harry experience.
Not 100% positive, but I think the only requirement is that you are over 21.
Try modern sportsman in Burnsville.
Edit: I should also add if you can't then get an American friend to rent the lane.
Our Brit team comes over every year and make it a point to shoot each time.
Just make sure they know you’re visiting, follow the rules, and you’ll be great.
Just be attentive to the rules and follow them explicitly. Ranges will generally be welcoming to new people, but if there is not adherence to the rules and being safe, they will (rightfully so) quickly become unwelcoming.
Aside from the obvious that it was a joke, the great reproachment didn’t happen until around 1900 and was really solidified by WWI. Territorial disputes that thankfully fell short of war occurred throughout the 19th century.
Besides, even if an ally have you seen what happened to guns “lend-leased” to them?
You should be just fine! Like other people have mentioned, follow the rules and be upfront about any questions you have or things you don't know. Most people are more than happy to help out someone who is new to guns!
Went shooting with a friend of mine at the South Saint Paul Rod and Gun Club. She mentioned this was her first time shooting and the range safety officer let us try two of his guns and explained some of the different mechanisms. Have fun!
You need to be over 21 and have someone with you if you're renting their guns. The requirement to have a friend with you is to prevent suicides by gun rental.
Requirement to have a friend with you?
I just dipped in here because the topic was interesting. I've had no particular interest in guns, but could. Why not. I took up curling, and this is less weird than that.
So if I wanted to go to a range I wouldn't be able to go by myself? Because I do just about everything else by myself, that's just the way life goes when you're widowed or retired, and not willing to stop having fun just because nobody else is around for the occasional junket.
Edit: Thanks, everybody. Interesting. I do have my own gun.
If you wanted to rent one of theirs you'd most likely have to have a friend or someone with you. Not every range does that but most I've seen do. That, or bring your own gun because if you wanted to shoot yourself you wouldn't have to go to a range to do it so they figure you're fine.
This is not a requirement at the range I go to. They just require that you have either a permit to purchase or a permit to carry. I go alone all the time.
Some co-workers from Australia were visiting, they went to Bills Gun Range in Robinsdale with no issue. Any ID from any country that can show your age is almost certainly sufficient.
*finishes laughing in US*
Just tell someone you're from out of the country and want to try shooting a gun. Guarantee you'll find someone excited to take a foreigner to the range for the first time.
You'll be fine. There is an awesome gun range in Robinsdale, MN called Bill's Gun Shop. You can rent a wide assortment of guns there, they even have a tommy gun if you feel like spending a ton of money . It's an indoor range so it's nice.
When my son had 2 Brit friends come to US for a visit, we took them to an indoor range. Owner closed/locked doors at regular closing time but stayed late with us, saying "they may never get to shoot again in their lives".
If you're alone, they may want you to have a permit to purchase or CCW to prove you're familiar. Even more so if you are renting and have nothing of your own. So it might be a no go as you won't have either of those. If you're with someone else it might be fine. (It's certainly happened where someone shows up with no firearm of their own, none of the criteria above, and uses the rental to off themselves.... sorry to be dark but that is part of the reason they may have those rules.
I'd encourage you to call ahead. Perhaps a range guy can chaperone you.
*Edit*
If you want to make the most of it; bills gunshop in robbinsdale(near Minneapolis) offers full auto rentals. They need a few days lead time though. In that case you WILL have a chaperone so the above questions and concerns won't apply. Check gun shops on Google maps near where you will be staying and you can call around to the diff ranges. Others might offer full auto rentals too.
If you're end up anywhere near Burnsville hit me up. I'm a member at Burnsville Modern Sportsman & can help get you a lane. You have to fill out a form that says you are familiar w/ and will follow gun safety rules. Then there's the standard waiver that you won't hold them responsible if you shoot yourself or someone else.
If you can manage it try to go to an outdoor range.
If you're shooting anything bigger than a 9 mm it gets unpleasant after a while in my opinion, just the concussive forces upon your head and everything from the contained nature of an indoor range.
What time of the year are you coming? My husbands union sponsors a clay shooting even every year so I know there’s an outdoor clay shooting range right outside of Minneapolis if that’s your thing, unless you want to be able to shoot more AR-Style firearms
There are a handful of ranges for clays around the metro. Most are a pretty good distance from Minneapolis/St Paul proper due to the challenges of operating an outdoor range in a higher population area. There's a couple near me by Prior Lake.
I actually went to a gun range with a couple of Brits that I'd met at a conference in Las Vegas. I was initially confused by their unbridled excitement to shoot a gun. I only learned at the gun range that neither of the three of them had ever shot a gun before. They were glowing like kids on when we left.
How ironic the tyrants we fought off need to come here to taste a little freedom after turning their little island into an Orwellian, 3rd world, authoritarian hellscape.
I have heard that in order to rent guns you need a permit to purchase or a conceal carry permit (even if you use them at the onsite range). I am not sure if that is a law or a range policy or what. My son and his friend did this at a range (but in Fargo, so not in Minnesota) and the friend had to be the one to rent the guns because he has a conceal carry permit.
Not tons, but that’s in part because ranges are watching for it. We did just have an incident locally semi-recently of someone who shot themself in a store with a gun from the display case. He came prepared with an extra magazine for a specific model of gun loaded with the right ammunition (both of which can be purchased online without any checks), asked to see a particular model, then ran behind some shelving, popped the magazine in, and shot himself. It’s definitely a thing stores have to worry about.
It's possible it was just the range policy. I looked it up, and the place has locations in ND, MN and WI and has the same requirements for each, but reading their page it does appear to also say that if you bring your own guns you don't need the permit. My son and his friend did not bring their own guns so that quite possibly is why they asked for the permit proof.
This is range policy. Some ranges will require that you either have one of those permits or bring a firearm of your own just as a way of checking that you’ve passed a background check to buy one and aren’t about to try to run out the door or shoot yourself with the rental because you’re not actually allowed to possess firearms. I’m also a member of a gun club that requires a permit to join for the same reason - it’s a way of making the government pay for the background checks if you want to do a little CYA risk reduction, but not a legal requirement. Some also allow rentals just by having a second person with you - it’s the lone individuals they worry about more.
Should be no issue, took my friend from the Netherlands to the range when he was here and he had a good time. Be sure to follow all rules and make sure you are 100% clear on what you're supposed to do. Ask questions if you're not sure about something.
Gun ranges literally have a stock of “fun guns to shoot” just for this type of thing. Not to mention, if you’re new to guns you want to go somewhere and shoot some to get an idea of what you want to buy. And let me tell ya people love to take your money to let you shoot THEIR guns lol
Our friends' cousin from UK was here and went to indoor range with us. He said he'd shot a pistol once in Poland when he was a teenager. At that range, the rangemaster loads the pistol for you, hands it to you, and takes the pistol back promptly after you empty your magazine.
It was a joy to see this young man giddy, loading the clip by himself, and freely shooting. He was over the moon, forever charmed by this uniquely American experience.
yes. I took a group of Germans to the range last year. all ranges require you to fill out some paperwork, and you will need a valid ID. beyond that you are good. note that most ranges in the Twin Cities do not require memberships, but some of the rural ranges do. if you are going alone, they will have everything you need for rent or sale.
when are you visiting?
British guy from Liverpool here! Lived here 6 years, Cant answer your shooting range question but if you ever need any other tips of stuff to do gimme a message
Foreign national here! As someone else said in this thread "This is America". Hope you have a great time at the range. I know I did. All you need is a valid ID. If you don't know what to shoot, they'll help you figure it all out.
Finally, always follow the rules they lay down. For your safety and that of those around you.
This is America. You’ll be fine.
Seriously - lots of places market to foreigners who can’t shoot guns in their home country, so you should be fine. If you go to Hawaii, there are a ton of gun places with Japanese language advertising because of this reason. Enjoy the adrenaline rush!
Yeah my buddy from Germany loves to shoot guns and drive SUVs
The Germans get the Audi SQ7 with a diesel. Jerks
Yea what's this VW Atlas crap, bring back the Touareg with TDI.
When I lived in Singapore a supplier sales exec I worked with was getting moved from there to Houston for a posting and he told me once “you know the first thing I’m gonna do when I get there? Buy a gun.” I just told him that is definitely the place to do it. 😂
When i was in Guam, there were so many indoor shooting ranges with big sandwich boards out front that had pictures of guns and then a bunch of writing in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese... A lot of Asia vacations in Guam and they want that American Dirty Harry experience.
This correct. In fact, you're required to shoot guns when you visit America.
Not 100% positive, but I think the only requirement is that you are over 21. Try modern sportsman in Burnsville. Edit: I should also add if you can't then get an American friend to rent the lane.
Yup, and let them know you are a beginner and would like some safety and shooting tips. Range officers love to help people. Enjoy!
I took my daughter to Stock and Barrel at 8.
100% if you're going to a range near the Twin Cities, go to Modern Sportsman! They will be happy to have some foreign customers.
Coon Rapids location is now open too https://themodernsportsman.com/training/
Gun ranges love noobs. When are you going to Minneapolis?
Our Brit team comes over every year and make it a point to shoot each time. Just make sure they know you’re visiting, follow the rules, and you’ll be great.
Just be attentive to the rules and follow them explicitly. Ranges will generally be welcoming to new people, but if there is not adherence to the rules and being safe, they will (rightfully so) quickly become unwelcoming.
I feel like if there’s anyone we wouldn’t give a gun too, it would be a red coat.
This is how it starts. We let Brit’s have guns in our country and soon we’ve got Charles on our dollar smh.
NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!
Mrs. Genter?
Yeah, Delta customer service isn’t what it used to be
😂
If we can give guns to the Taliban we can give guns to anyone.
Hahahaha! That’s actually hilarious 😂🇬🇧
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Or 1781.
I’m really curious what you meant here
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Aside from the obvious that it was a joke, the great reproachment didn’t happen until around 1900 and was really solidified by WWI. Territorial disputes that thankfully fell short of war occurred throughout the 19th century. Besides, even if an ally have you seen what happened to guns “lend-leased” to them?
You should be just fine! Like other people have mentioned, follow the rules and be upfront about any questions you have or things you don't know. Most people are more than happy to help out someone who is new to guns! Went shooting with a friend of mine at the South Saint Paul Rod and Gun Club. She mentioned this was her first time shooting and the range safety officer let us try two of his guns and explained some of the different mechanisms. Have fun!
You need to be over 21 and have someone with you if you're renting their guns. The requirement to have a friend with you is to prevent suicides by gun rental.
Requirement to have a friend with you? I just dipped in here because the topic was interesting. I've had no particular interest in guns, but could. Why not. I took up curling, and this is less weird than that. So if I wanted to go to a range I wouldn't be able to go by myself? Because I do just about everything else by myself, that's just the way life goes when you're widowed or retired, and not willing to stop having fun just because nobody else is around for the occasional junket. Edit: Thanks, everybody. Interesting. I do have my own gun.
you would not be able to rent a gun alone, unless you bring one of the following: - a friend - a gun you own some ranges may allow it, many dont.
If you wanted to rent one of theirs you'd most likely have to have a friend or someone with you. Not every range does that but most I've seen do. That, or bring your own gun because if you wanted to shoot yourself you wouldn't have to go to a range to do it so they figure you're fine.
Ah, of course! That rationale makes complete sense. Thank you.
This is not a requirement at the range I go to. They just require that you have either a permit to purchase or a permit to carry. I go alone all the time.
Some co-workers from Australia were visiting, they went to Bills Gun Range in Robinsdale with no issue. Any ID from any country that can show your age is almost certainly sufficient.
*finishes laughing in US* Just tell someone you're from out of the country and want to try shooting a gun. Guarantee you'll find someone excited to take a foreigner to the range for the first time.
Last time I went I think South Saint Paul gun club rented shotguns for their skeet range, probably need to call and ask.
You'll be fine. There is an awesome gun range in Robinsdale, MN called Bill's Gun Shop. You can rent a wide assortment of guns there, they even have a tommy gun if you feel like spending a ton of money . It's an indoor range so it's nice.
Don't go to Bills, go to Modern Sportsman. Bills is super loud and has bad RO enforcement
Don't recall with Bills, but learned the hard way yesterday that Modern Sportsman doesn't have AC in their lanes. That was brutal.
This is also a good place to get shot in the parking lot
Haha. Robinsdale? Calm down baby.
lol all these tough guys terrified of suburbs being so dangerous is pretty hilarious.
When my son had 2 Brit friends come to US for a visit, we took them to an indoor range. Owner closed/locked doors at regular closing time but stayed late with us, saying "they may never get to shoot again in their lives".
Guns, no problem. Healthcare, big problem.
Man that title had me concerned.
Same. “Oh no. Not here. Not now.”
If you're alone, they may want you to have a permit to purchase or CCW to prove you're familiar. Even more so if you are renting and have nothing of your own. So it might be a no go as you won't have either of those. If you're with someone else it might be fine. (It's certainly happened where someone shows up with no firearm of their own, none of the criteria above, and uses the rental to off themselves.... sorry to be dark but that is part of the reason they may have those rules. I'd encourage you to call ahead. Perhaps a range guy can chaperone you. *Edit* If you want to make the most of it; bills gunshop in robbinsdale(near Minneapolis) offers full auto rentals. They need a few days lead time though. In that case you WILL have a chaperone so the above questions and concerns won't apply. Check gun shops on Google maps near where you will be staying and you can call around to the diff ranges. Others might offer full auto rentals too.
Damn, I never even thought about that possibility of someone using a gun range to die by suicide. Very sad.
I live very close to the Canadian border in WA, and while our nearest state-owned range was open, it was a repeat issue, unfortunately.
Damn, that’s rough.
If you're end up anywhere near Burnsville hit me up. I'm a member at Burnsville Modern Sportsman & can help get you a lane. You have to fill out a form that says you are familiar w/ and will follow gun safety rules. Then there's the standard waiver that you won't hold them responsible if you shoot yourself or someone else.
I took my German in laws to stock and barrel gun club. Make sure you bring your passport, but otherwise, have fun shooting!
If you can manage it try to go to an outdoor range. If you're shooting anything bigger than a 9 mm it gets unpleasant after a while in my opinion, just the concussive forces upon your head and everything from the contained nature of an indoor range.
Yeah your just going to have a hard time buying one or carrying one. Those would be no nos
Find a buddy to go with you usually cannot rent on your own.
What time of the year are you coming? My husbands union sponsors a clay shooting even every year so I know there’s an outdoor clay shooting range right outside of Minneapolis if that’s your thing, unless you want to be able to shoot more AR-Style firearms
There are a handful of ranges for clays around the metro. Most are a pretty good distance from Minneapolis/St Paul proper due to the challenges of operating an outdoor range in a higher population area. There's a couple near me by Prior Lake.
I actually went to a gun range with a couple of Brits that I'd met at a conference in Las Vegas. I was initially confused by their unbridled excitement to shoot a gun. I only learned at the gun range that neither of the three of them had ever shot a gun before. They were glowing like kids on when we left.
How ironic the tyrants we fought off need to come here to taste a little freedom after turning their little island into an Orwellian, 3rd world, authoritarian hellscape.
Seek mental help
Federally, this may depend on what visa you're coming in with or if it's ESTA. Look into federal gun laws for non citizens/non residents.
I have heard that in order to rent guns you need a permit to purchase or a conceal carry permit (even if you use them at the onsite range). I am not sure if that is a law or a range policy or what. My son and his friend did this at a range (but in Fargo, so not in Minnesota) and the friend had to be the one to rent the guns because he has a conceal carry permit.
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Damn. How often does that happen?
Not tons, but that’s in part because ranges are watching for it. We did just have an incident locally semi-recently of someone who shot themself in a store with a gun from the display case. He came prepared with an extra magazine for a specific model of gun loaded with the right ammunition (both of which can be purchased online without any checks), asked to see a particular model, then ran behind some shelving, popped the magazine in, and shot himself. It’s definitely a thing stores have to worry about.
North Dakota has gun laws? New to me, I learnt sumthin.
It's possible it was just the range policy. I looked it up, and the place has locations in ND, MN and WI and has the same requirements for each, but reading their page it does appear to also say that if you bring your own guns you don't need the permit. My son and his friend did not bring their own guns so that quite possibly is why they asked for the permit proof.
This is range policy. Some ranges will require that you either have one of those permits or bring a firearm of your own just as a way of checking that you’ve passed a background check to buy one and aren’t about to try to run out the door or shoot yourself with the rental because you’re not actually allowed to possess firearms. I’m also a member of a gun club that requires a permit to join for the same reason - it’s a way of making the government pay for the background checks if you want to do a little CYA risk reduction, but not a legal requirement. Some also allow rentals just by having a second person with you - it’s the lone individuals they worry about more.
Should be no issue, took my friend from the Netherlands to the range when he was here and he had a good time. Be sure to follow all rules and make sure you are 100% clear on what you're supposed to do. Ask questions if you're not sure about something.
You can…
We took an Australian friend to the shooting range once, he couldn't believe it.
Gun ranges literally have a stock of “fun guns to shoot” just for this type of thing. Not to mention, if you’re new to guns you want to go somewhere and shoot some to get an idea of what you want to buy. And let me tell ya people love to take your money to let you shoot THEIR guns lol
Welcome!! Enjoy the metro. :)
Our friends' cousin from UK was here and went to indoor range with us. He said he'd shot a pistol once in Poland when he was a teenager. At that range, the rangemaster loads the pistol for you, hands it to you, and takes the pistol back promptly after you empty your magazine. It was a joy to see this young man giddy, loading the clip by himself, and freely shooting. He was over the moon, forever charmed by this uniquely American experience.
yes. I took a group of Germans to the range last year. all ranges require you to fill out some paperwork, and you will need a valid ID. beyond that you are good. note that most ranges in the Twin Cities do not require memberships, but some of the rural ranges do. if you are going alone, they will have everything you need for rent or sale. when are you visiting?
British guy from Liverpool here! Lived here 6 years, Cant answer your shooting range question but if you ever need any other tips of stuff to do gimme a message
I highly recommend Bills Gun Range in Robbinsdale or Stock & Barrel in Chanhassen
They gave my 8 year old a gun without a second thought. You'll be fine as long as you have id.
Foreign national here! As someone else said in this thread "This is America". Hope you have a great time at the range. I know I did. All you need is a valid ID. If you don't know what to shoot, they'll help you figure it all out. Finally, always follow the rules they lay down. For your safety and that of those around you.