(Just to be clear, these questions are about gun laws in NYS, not New York City)
Let me begin by saying that I am relatively uneducated about the gun laws in New York State; I've gone shooting (but never hunting) on many occasions, both up here and in the southwest, but as for NY laws my knowledge goes about as far as one must be 21 to own a firearm, 18 to own a long gun, and a permit is required for CC.
I'm a college student in New York home for the break and I've decided that since I've been given over a month without school, this would be the perfect time to finally purchase a small caliber rifle. I intend to use it for informal target shooting, and maybe some small game hunting.
My questions are:
(1) What are the laws concerning plinking in NYS?
(2) Can I simply walk into the woods until I am a specific distance from properties and roads and just start shooting, or do I need to be shooting at a gun club or other designated area?
(3) Do these laws vary state-to-state, or town-to-town?
(4) IF it is the latter, where do I go to obtain more information about the laws? Town hall? Police station?
(5) If an area is open for hunting, is it okay to plink there?
(6) Finally, if there is anyone here who also hails from Dutchess County and knows of any good places for casual shooting?
My dad's friend is a carpenter and has made a single lane range in his backyard, so I can shoot there for the time being, but I'd really like to go out and shoot on my own as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance for the help!
Let me begin by saying that I am relatively uneducated about the gun laws in New York State; I've gone shooting (but never hunting) on many occasions, both up here and in the southwest, but as for NY laws my knowledge goes about as far as one must be 21 to own a firearm, 18 to own a long gun, and a permit is required for CC.
I'm a college student in New York home for the break and I've decided that since I've been given over a month without school, this would be the perfect time to finally purchase a small caliber rifle. I intend to use it for informal target shooting, and maybe some small game hunting.
My questions are:
(1) What are the laws concerning plinking in NYS?
(2) Can I simply walk into the woods until I am a specific distance from properties and roads and just start shooting, or do I need to be shooting at a gun club or other designated area?
(3) Do these laws vary state-to-state, or town-to-town?
(4) IF it is the latter, where do I go to obtain more information about the laws? Town hall? Police station?
(5) If an area is open for hunting, is it okay to plink there?
(6) Finally, if there is anyone here who also hails from Dutchess County and knows of any good places for casual shooting?
My dad's friend is a carpenter and has made a single lane range in his backyard, so I can shoot there for the time being, but I'd really like to go out and shoot on my own as soon as possible.
Thanks in advance for the help!