r/canadaguns • u/Electronic_Rain_84 • 5d ago

Shooting Where in Ontario is there a commercial shooting range that you can go to alone?

Hi, everyone! I live in Toronto and am applying for PAL next week. While I’m waiting for my license, I wanted to go to a shooting range a few times to practice, but everywhere I’ve looked around the GTA and in Ontario in general, they require a group of at least two people. Does anyone know of any shooting ranges where you can go alone? I’ve also considered hiring an instructor, since I need to work on my shooting technique. How and who can I hire in the GTA area?

Any advice would be appreciated!

8 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

18

u/Scott-YYC 5d ago

The non-licensed shooter not being able to shoot alone is a suicide prevention strategy, best thing a non-licensed shooter could do in your situation is find a friend to go with you.

-12

u/Primary_Highlight540 5d ago

This doesn’t make sense to me. If someone owns guns and was going to commit suicide, why the hell would they go to a range to do it?

17

u/Aperture-Black-2400 5d ago

That is not what this comment is referring to.

Non-licensed, non-firearm owning individuals, not being able to attend a range for a supervised shooting session is what is being referred to - as this would allow an individual direct access to loaded firearms while being at the range.
Therefore, many ranges that provide this service require groups of 2 or more, which would mitigate the risk of a lone individual taking part in one of these supervised shooting packages being there for the wrong reason(s).

2

u/Primary_Highlight540 5d ago

Point taken. However, wouldn’t the RSO be watching the person pretty closely?

3

u/Aperture-Black-2400 5d ago edited 5d ago

Absolutely, and they are within arm's reach at all times.
With that said however, it would take less than a second for that gun to swing and point somewhere it shouldn't (either accidentally, or purposely).

I've conducted non-licensed shooting packages myself at a range I'll keep unnamed, and I've seen shooters swing the gun (either live or unloaded) past 180° of the firing line on many occasions, but accidentally.
Kind but stern corrective actions usually result in them immediately understanding the gravity of the situation, their understanding of their mistake against our previously outlined safety instruction, and immediate apologies from their part

1

u/ThrowRA_That_Owl_25 5d ago

Didnt stop an individual committing suicide at Target Sports a while back.

1

u/Redbulldildo 5d ago

Close enough that there's a video where someone tried, and while the bullet didn't kill them, it did kill the RSO who was trying to stop them.

3

u/jbouit494hg 5d ago

If you're non-licensed you don't own guns and can't buy them (exceptions apply for some residents of Downtown Toronto).

Unfortunately some people might get the creative idea of going to a range and renting a gun to shoot themselves.

I even saw a video of a range in urban Australia where they had handguns mounted on wires like a shooting gallery so you couldn't turn them away from pointing downrange.

At least around Vancouver the two or more rule is waived for PAL holders because they literally have government documentation that they can be trusted with a gun. I would assume it's similar in the GTA.

14

u/Primary_Highlight540 5d ago

Call and ask Silverdale Gun Club. Niagara region. I don’t know if they require a group of more than one.

10

u/Aperture-Black-2400 5d ago

Silverdale allows for single/individual non-licensed people to schedule a shooting package; there is no requirement for a minimum group size.

2

u/NiagaraBTC 5d ago

You can go alone for a supervised shoot as a non member (with your own gun) so I'm pretty sure they would do a solo package shoot.

5

u/Aperture-Black-2400 5d ago

Being a licensed firearm owner and being a non-licensed, non-firearm owning individual are two extremely different categories.
But yes, Silverdale is different from most other facilities that provide shooting packages to non-licensed people, in that you can go as a solo individual and take part in their shooting packages to try firearms.

1

u/NiagaraBTC 5d ago

Yes, you're very much correct.

I was thinking more of the cost effectiveness of solo shooters in terms of taking up an RSO's full attention. No doubt that's one reason why many places need multiple group members for shoots.

2

u/dgod40 5d ago

The multiple group members is primarily to avoid suicide. I've spoken to 3 RSOs at different ranges and that's what they have said.

0

u/tetraacetic 5d ago

I think the old CSC allowed singles. They saw my pal and allowed me in unsupervised when I wanted to try out some stuff. But yeah, other GTA spots seem to require a group.

1

u/Primary_Highlight540 5d ago

That’s my assumption as well.

3

u/starw24-ps4 5d ago

Like the other guy said I’d find a friend. I know a couple stories in Ontario and plenty in the US where solo guests committed suicide unfortunately. Not many ranges want you alone out there

2

u/jmz-jmz 5d ago

Not sure if Target Sports Canada requires a group or not, until you have your PAL you will have to rent their stuff + be supervised.

1

u/sometimesifeellikean 4d ago

if you're not a member, i think you need a chaparone

2

u/Evening_Incident_683 5d ago

Im pretty sure target sports lets you shoot their guns. But you gotta be under their supervision and its really expensive for how many rounds you get to shoot.

I would either just wait until you get your license or find a friend that can take you with them.

1

u/[deleted] 5d ago

[deleted]

1

u/shooptydoop 5d ago

And then you have to worry about if there are some idiots near you. There have been a few mishaps at target sports. It attracts some very interesting demographics.

1

u/JJJJJ2119 4d ago

And they also don’t allow singles, needs to be 2 or more people

1

u/Lost_Aioli4731 4d ago

You cannot be left alone because you need to be within arm's reach of a member of the range. 

You cannot enter as a guest and expect to shoot alone. You have to have a member with you; otherwise, the $5 million liability insurance that every Canadian range carries for each of its members and guests won't be valid.

I'm a director of a gun club, and this is how it works and why you have to have someone within arm's reach. 

You also need to go through a probation period when you join a club. We are not letting you shoot on your own until you prove yourself to us. 

At my club, at least on one occasion, you have to shoot three targets, 10 shots each, without missing the paper. Many clubs will do the same and even extend it to long gun ranges of 100 metres before you are allowed to join the club.