Kids under 16 years old target shooting at gun clubs/ranges question??

[NYH1]

My wife and I took my soon to be 9 year old son to the gun club I belong to today to do a little target shooting.  Last year I gave him the Ruger 10/22 my father bought me when I was 12 or so.  We were shooting when another member came over to check our membership card.  She then asked how old my son was.  I said he'll be 9 next month.  She said it was against the law for anyone under 12 to shoot a rifle or shotgun and that they can only shoot BB guns.  I said to her, I've never heard of such a thing.  I said I know they can't hunt until they're 12, but not being able to shoot a rim rife rifle at a shooting range, never heard of that.  She assured me that that was the law and told me to look into it.

When we got home I looked up Section 265 of the New York State Penal Law.  This is what I found-  

265.05 Unlawful possession of weapons by persons under sixteen.
    It  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person  under the age of sixteen to
  possess any air-gun, spring-gun or other instrument or weapon  in  which
  the propelling force is a spring or air, or any gun or any instrument or
  weapon  in  or upon which any loaded or blank cartridges may be used, or
  any loaded or blank cartridges or ammunition therefor, or any  dangerous
  knife;  provided  that  the possession of rifle or shotgun or ammunition
  therefor by the holder of a hunting license or permit issued pursuant to
  article eleven  of  the  environmental  conservation  law  and  used  in
  accordance with said law shall not be governed by this section.
    A person who violates the provisions of this section shall be adjudged
  a juvenile delinquent.

I tried looking through the New York State Environmental Conservation Laws.  I found that kids 12 and up could hunt with firearms as long as they're under the supervision of their parents or legal guardian.  I couldn't find anything about them being able to shoot at a gun club or range.  Do any of you guys know of any laws that allow them to target  shoot?  I'm absolutely shocked that kids aren't allowed to target shoot unless they are 16 and older.  Please tell me I'm over looking something...PLEASE!

[Mikey]

Nope, she's wrong.  And what is worse is that she cited a law that does not exist. 

Gun clubs are private property and there are no laws that prohibit shooting by people of any age on private property where shooting is conducted, i.e., private gun clubs. 

Young persons under the age of 12 cannot hunt independently of adult supervision, which means hands on or within direct and immediate control of said younger person and attendant firearm by supervising adult(s). 

Young people, i.e., kids, can shoot at private clubs and private ranges, and on private properties where shooting is permissible, under adult supervision. 

I find it necessary to remind a fair number of adults at my club of the specifications and requirements of adult supervision.  Some adults think that as long as they are there, that is, at the same range with the kids, it is ok, but it is not.  They must be within direct and immediate control of said firearm when it is being shot by the younger person which means they stand directly behind the younger person and are prepared to take immediate control of the firearm. 

Nothing says that they cannot shoot at a private club or range unless the club forbids it.  She was wrong.

[wreckhog]

Nothing says that they cannot shoot at a private club or range unless the club forbids it.  She was wrong.

I can think of one thing. What is the club insured for?

[Mikey]

There are requirements, even for private clubs, that they must post by-laws, restrictions and rules: for example -  no 50 caliber centerfire, no fully automatic firing, no hardball on indoor ranges, no shooters under the age of 'X' unless supervised by a adult member, etc., etc.   The woman mentioned in the original post spoke to a law that does not exist.  She could always play stupid if confronted and get out of any potential problems for mis-representing the law but usually by citing a 'law' people like that can bring a halt to the activity they are not comfortable without being held accountable for what they are saying.  My club usually asks those 'citing law' to leave and/or calls the local PD to verify what was cited and if the law does not exist they will be corrected and most often reprimanded by the local PD. 

[NYH1]

Just to be clear, either my wife or I were within arm range of grabbing the rifle from my son every time he was shooting it.  This is his second year shooting.  He does VERY well, but he's still only 8 years old (be 9 next month).  We have to respect the fact the he is in fact using a deadly weapon.

The lady came from the ranges "club house" or bar, might as well call it what it is.  We could tell she'd been drinking.  She wasn't driving though, some guy was.  Instead of the guy getting out to check our membership, he has or lets her do it.  I know I wouldn't let or have my wife approach people with guns.  That's just me though.

My son was crushed at what she told us.  Like I said, I gave him the Ruger 10/22 Delux (nice wood, no barrel band) my dad bought for me when I was a kid.  He saved up all his extra money and when ever someone asked him what he wanted for Christmas last fall, he told them money instead of toys so he could buy a Leupold scope for his .22.  He saved his money and my wife and I matched him dollar for dollar.  After Christmas we bought a Leupold 2-7x28mm Rim Fire Scope, Mount and Rings.  I also traded a S&W Sigma 380 I never used to a guy at work for a Mossberg 505 (IIRC) youth size 410 pump shotgun.  He's shot both of them quite a bit.

I figured there was something allowing kids under 16 to shoot at a private gun club or on private land.  I'd like to think gun club officials would know this.
 

[Mikey]

Your gun club should have rules regarding age limitations and I would check there first.  As far as the woman was concerned, she is/was wrong and if she had been drinking she was even further wrong. 

Don't let your son be crushed over this - actually, you should be quite whizzed that some drunken woman approached you while you were shooting.  Too bad you didn't get her name.  I would take my son back for another roundof enjoyment at the range and hope that she presents herself again - it is at that point I would either contact the club (gotta have a number posted to contact someone in a emergency) and if there isn't any answer thenI would 911 the locals and have them come and collect her.  There may be some public law about age limitations on public lands but you are at a private club and she is wrong - have the locals bust her butt for pretending to know what she is talking about.

[woodsdweller]

i am not sure of the laws but know that my 2 oldest children took there hunters safty course at 11 and neither were allowd to participate in the shooting portion. they had to go w/a seperate instructor and shoot a airgun. this was at one club . i just signed up my now 11 year old daughter to take the course in a few weeks and the instructor also informed me of the fact she had to use an air rifle. the worst problem i saw was the most of the older people had little or no experiance with a firearm. my youngest is 3 and just started shooting a cricket in .22. i have tought all my children from this age and safty, muzzle control,safty and more muzzle control is repeated thru every shooting seccion. they are not allowd to pick up a firearm unless they ask first, they always open the action and leave it open after checking to make sure the firearm is clear.

[AlbanyCO]

You have done nothing wrong.

[GTKF]

Don't agree with it, but the law does state a person under 16, but not under 12 may handle a firearm at a range while under the supervision of a parent

265-20 subsection 7

[BBF]

........................and if there isn't any answer thenI would 911 the locals and have them come and collect her.

I'm pretty sure that 911 would not be pleased in my jurisdiction to be called for this. Perhaps they see it different where you are.