[Carl in Tampa]

There was a thread on Open Carry Laws that transitioned to a discussion of Indoor Pistol Ranges. Sadly, I found that thread closed before I could contribute a thought on the ranges......not on the open carry law.

I do not recommend to anyone what they might want to do with regard to guns and shooting, I am only making people aware of an alternative to the dangerous practice of shooting a firearm indoors in a residence.

The alternative is the use of an air gun (BB or Pellet) (Spring Loaded or Compressed Air.) The target is affixed to a Bullet Trap that is designed to stop at least a .22 caliber firearm. A safe indoor "range" would have to be established, with suitable backstop, and no one permitted in the area while shooting was going on. The air gun makes a "bang" but probably not so loud that a neighbor would hear it from inside a closed, air conditioned, house.

Interestingly, Florida Law does not regard a BB or Pellet gun to be a firearm so all of the objections about shooting a firearm near residences would not appear to apply. Also, unlike an Air Soft gun, it is not required to have orange paint on the muzzle.  The use for any purpose whatsoever of BB guns, air or gas-operated guns, or electric weapons or devices, by any minor under the age of 16 years is prohibited unless such use is under the supervision and in the presence of an adult who is acting with the consent of the minor’s parent.

When I was last residing in The Villages there was an air gun club with access to an air gun range for both pistol and rifle. Note that some air guns, both pistols and rifles are capable of power great enough to be used in small game hunting. The Emperor Napoleon was so incensed by enemy soldier snipers using air guns (for their silence) that he directed that an enemy found in possession of an air gun was to be executed on the spot. (But I digress.)

The pictured air pistol is a .177 Pistol Match grade with an upgraded (extra cost) Walther Match Grade rifled barrel. The target trap will stop a .22 caliber projectile. Extra bulls eyes were hand painted on in orange to get more use from the target when the main bulls eye is shot out.