r/canadaguns • u/AHangryBeaver • Aug 02 '26
Shooting Taking friends shooting
Let me preface this by saying I am an active PAL holder, I’ve been a shooter for more than 20 years.
I’ve moved across the country and left 4 of my guns in BC (I’m trying to get them shipped out) so I’m left with a .12 gauge and a TM22.
I want to go shooting for my birthday with a small group of friends (3-5 people, all of which are responsible adults and would take gun safety very seriously). I don’t have a membership to a range where I am due to wait lists and there’s some crown land but it’s rather uncomfortable to get to.
My question is this - Would I be absolutely insane to post on a local community page asking for someone to take us shooting? Maybe a range member or something along those lines? 1) To have access to the safest shooting space possible and 2) ( with some compensation) to have access to a bit more variety of firearms besides my 2.
I know it’s a huge ask of someone to take strangers shooting and it’s a huge trust thing to go shooting with a random person so I feel like I’m a little dumb for tossing around the idea.
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u/Hopeful-Bath2006 Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
Aside from the ask itself, I haven’t heard of any gun ranges where you can bring 4-6 guests as a member, let alone with 3-5 of them unlicensed. Crown land is likely the only option here if you dont want to pay/cant find availability for a shooting package for unlicensed guests at a range. The one near me is $90 per person up to 8 people and needs to be booked 4+ weeks out
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u/jmz-jmz Aug 02 '26
A lot of the indoor ranges (in Ontario, at least) have packages for non-pal holders to shoot their stuff. As a non member you wouldn’t be able to bring your guns, and you’d be supervised too. If you want to shoot yours you’re gonna need to be a member somewhere, or crown land.
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u/22GageEnthusiast Aug 03 '26
If you're in the GTA (Southern Ontario), let me know. At my range I can have up to 4 guests but only 1 on the line with me regardless of PAL or not. If that works for you then send a dm for details.
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u/PhilthyLIVES Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
When I bring my friends to the range I try to only bring 2 and at max 3. Simply because a licensed person has to be within arms reach of the person and only 1 can shoot at a time. Having more than 3 just makes it feel like a wait time at a amusement park.
Edit: I should also add it feels weird to clog up the area if other shooters are present. Some may see it as disrespectful too.