<p>I’ve done some air rifling in the past (although very little) and I think it would be fun to continue once in a while. However, I can’t seem to find any range facilities. Does the university even have one? And if not, are there any near the campus?</p>
<p>King Drive is a shooting range of sorts. Try around 70th st.</p>
<p>I’ve never been there, but it’s probably not a great idea to walk there alone or after dark. Go with a friend and take a bus.</p>
<p>corranged, I think jack was joking about king drive.</p>
<p>I’ve never been there, either, but I suspect it’s probably a really, really bad idea to walk around there carrying an air rifle. It’s probably a really, really bad idea to walk anywhere in Chicago carrying anything that looks like a rifle, unless it’s disassembled and cased. There are 20 mistakes people could make, and none of them is good.</p>
<p>I really thought this thread was going to produce better jokes.</p>
<p>Being constructive: google shooting ranges or gun clubs in Chicago, and call them up. I know there are places in my city where people shoot pistols (legally, in addition to plenty of places where they shoot them illegally, sometimes at each other), and I don’t know why you couldn’t shoot an air rifle there. It might not be satisfying, because not enough distance. There are probably skeet ranges in the burbs somewhere, too, and they may have rifle ranges, too.</p>
<p>Here we go – 30 seconds of work:</p>
<p>Arlington Heights - Arlington Int’l Airgun Club and Junior Division, 502 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL 60004.
Facilities include: Airgun
Range Access: Private
Web Site: <a href=“http://www.aiac-airguns.org%5B/url%5D”>www.aiac-airguns.org</a>
Email: <a href="mailto:info@aiac-airguns.org">info@aiac-airguns.org</a> </p>
<p>Not surprisingly, the NRA web site has a “find a shooting range” feature. There’s nothing in Chicago itself; I didn’t look past the first page, so there may be other suburban places.</p>
<p>As for the University, the chances are slim and none, but call the athletic department.</p>
<p>back in the days of ROTC, many colleges did have rifle ranges, to go along with their bowling alleys and hours for women, I suppose. But those days are thankfully gone. </p>
<p>Maybe we should tell the OP to look for places where they have flashing blue lights on top of boxes on phone poles, to do the shooting there? Heck, two years ago 52nd and Drexel was something of a rifle range…</p>
<p>another thought:</p>
<p>maybe the OP could join the Illinois National Guard and fire to his heart’s content? I’m sure they have great rifle ranges, and may even offer 18 month overseas trips with real live fire opportunities!</p>
<p>Here’s a list of collegiate shooting programs, JM8879. Chicago doesn’t appear on the list, but contrary to the “thankfully those days are gone” comment it’s an NCAA sport with teams at MIT, Princeton, and Dartmouth (among many others) and there are 5 schools in Illinois</p>
<p><a href=“Home | NRA Explore”>http://www.nrahq.org/compete/college_lookup.asp</a></p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies. After reading all this, I wonder if it’s too much of a hastle to send my rifle over (i live in cali), especially since Chicago doesn’t have any team or program whatsoever for this sport. Oh well, guess I stick to my less dangerous activities.</p>
<p>If you do bring it, you ought to contact the housing office in advance and make certain it’s OK / you know what to do with it when you get there. I imagine there’s something in the housing contract or regulations that says you get kicked out of housing if you have a gun, probably including an airgun. And even if that’s not the case, I wouldn’t want to leave a gun sitting around my room without adequate security. It needs to be locked up somewhere where your roommate’s stoned friends (if any) can’t get to it.</p>
<p>There are a bunch of gun clubs in Chicago. I wouldn’t despair of pursuing this hobby if you really want to. Start calling people.</p>
<p>I don’t know the rules, but my S, an incoming first year, told me that his “bow” for karate isn’t allowed in the dorm. So, if they don’t allow a 6ft wooden pole, I’ll bet a gun is out too…</p>
<p>If you only take it out off-campus, the University can’t punish you. You also might want to only take it out after dark, so nobody can see it. Many residents of the South Side are avid riflers themselves, and you’ll find them to be more than enthusiastic about joining in. Happy shooting!</p>
<p>Got it. I shouldn’t post on CC so early in the morning… :)</p>
<p>Let’s just say that Chicago is not a city known for its friendliness to gun owners…</p>
<p>You should be doing some serious research about this, because it is likely VERY complicated.</p>