Is it legal to "lend" a shotgun to an unexperienced person for recreation?

Question

My husband is going on a men's retreat thing with our church & they're going Skeet shooting. My husband was asked to bring his extra shotgun for someone else to use that doesn't have one (And has never used one).

I'm a little leery about it, but my husband insists that there's nothing wrong with lending a shotgun out to someone who's never even taken classes on gun safety.

Is this even legal???

Answer 1

As long as that person has never been convicted of a crime that specifically prohibits him from using a firearm, then of course it's legal.  We have the right to bear arms from the constitution... we don't have to get some permit or license to use guns.

Personally, I would not lend someone with little to no exerience unless I was going to be with them.  So if they are all going together, then I would have no problems whatsoever.  As the gun owner, I feel it would be my responsibility to make sure he is closely supervised until he is fully educated on gun operation and safety.  Not to mention, I wouldn't want him ruining my gun  :)

Answer 2

I don't think it's illegal. As long as there will be experienced shooters supervising it should be okay. They were inexperienced at some point too.

Answer 3

I would think yes.  If your husband is licensed or knows how guns work, everything should be ok if he is with the person he lends the gun to.  :)

Answer 4

Perefectly legal action. Brush up on your gun laws at the web site below.  

Answer 5

yes, it's legal. just have your husband go over the basic rules of shooting

Answer 6

you can loan a gun ...

the skeet range is insured too.

that being said... just "loaning' a gun and letting the borrower out anyplace on his own... I just would not do that.

This skeet deal is a good place to "loan" a gun and hook a new recreational shooter.

Tell Hubby to have some fun... those clays arent much to eat.... gritty as heck.

Answer 7

Why would it be illegal

As long as the person is opver 18 or under the direct supervision of a responsible adult and neither have been convicted of a felony

If no one ever loaned shotguns to inexperienced people how are we going to have experienced people

I'm betting that at one point in your husbands life he had never handled a gun

Then some one loaned him their's and viola we have an experience shooter

An experienced shooter , by the way, that is bound by the principle of Each One Teach One to loan that shotgun out to  this inexperienced shooter for a supervised shoot

Answer 8

Your State will have a Statute on that matter.

As a rule of thumb the statues say

Knowingly lend lease or give a firearm to a felon

That is what is illegal, the other part is just a liability issue.

If he does have it check by a smith first and have him shoot it first

Answer 9

How are the inexperienced going to become experienced otherwise? Should only world-class concert pianists be allowed to plink on ivories? And we won't mention allowing only Pulitzer prize winners to use a keyboard, thereby avoiding errors like "unexperienced."

Answer 10

If this is a church group then they are covered under the church's liability insurance policy in case of an accident.  Also, most people never take a gun safety class as in real america you learn how to handle firearms when you learn to ride a bicycle and so on.  Anybody who has served in the military knows the basics, too.  If they are going skeet shooting the range master will determine who is a newby and give them a heads up.  Just tell him to have a good time.  

Answer 11

It depends on your state regulations as to whether it is legal.

My state requires youth of any age to pass a hunter safety course, and if the person is born after 1964 they must have the card on them, when hunting.  

That said trap and skeet rules may vary depending on the venue. If it's just a box of blue rocks a thrower and an open field, it's unlikely that the rules apply, my trap range require the shooters to show their HS Cards when you first join.

Your hubby is probably correct. And you worry too much let them have fun.. I'm an a very stanch believer in the hunter safety program and gun rights. But also, introducing a total newbie to the sport is important to keep the sport alive. I have no qualms about teaching a newcomer how to handle a firearm, where and where not to point it.

Answer 12

Yes it's perfectly legal so long as your husband goes over the basic safety parts of the specific shotgun and guns in general (always keep safety on, never point it at anyone, etc).

However, it is now illegal in 32 states to "lend" a shotgun to d**k Cheney.