Can someone recommend a good gun club in NYC? What do you need to do to join? What are the costs involved? Also, does anyone know what is required to obtain guns in NYC for target shooting?
Having just gone through the process of getting a target license in NYC, I can elaborate.
First, in order to qualify for a target license, you must be a member of a range. There are only two ranges in Manhattan....Downtown Rifle & Pistol Club (Wall St. Area), and Westside Rifle & Pistol Club (20th St. between 5th & 6th). I joined the latter, since it is closest to where I live and work.
When you join, you won't be able to do much at first (except fire a 22 rifle) because until you have your permit (or pre-exemption letter), you cannot so much as hold a pistol in NYC, let alone fire one or buy one.
So now you have your range membership. Next, hightail it down to police headquarters and pick up a pistol license application. Fill it out (must be typewritten), and submit it with all the paraphernalia such as photos, proof of residence in the city, etc. You also have to pay the fee in postal money orders, so plan on spending some time on line at a post office.
When you get down there to file your application, you'll be fingerprinted three times and given a control number. In about two months, you'll get a letter asking you to arrange to come in for an interview. One of the investigators will ask you some rather banal questions, and then a few months later, you'll get a letter saying to come in to pick up your permit.
With that, you get a purchase order which you can use to buy a gun, or to have one transferred to you.
Once you've done that. you have to return to police HQ within 72 hours to have it registered onto your license.
So, plan on 4-6 months, over $225 in police fees, and five trips to Police Headquarters. Welcome to New York...