Disclaimer: This guide is informational and not legal advice. Laws change and vary by state. When in doubt, call your range or consult an attorney.
Ranges verify identity for age rules, liability waivers, rentals, and safety/accountability. If a firearm is rented for use on-premises, federal law does not require a NICS check (National Instant Criminal Background Check System). If a loan or rental goes off the premises, a background check applies because that is a transfer. See the ATF’s rental FAQ and the transfer rule.
Not for entry or lane use. NICS is designed to determine whether a firearm transfer may proceed; it’s not an “entry screening” tool for ranges. See the FBI’s NICS overview and the regulation that implements background checks for transfers.
Note: Some private clubs and commercial facilities that sell memberships (especially those offering unsupervised access) may run a membership background check during signup.
Federal law is as follows:
Ranges often set stricter house policies than the federal baseline. Check your local range page before you go.
*Last reviewed: September 30, 2025*
A few states require proof that you’re allowed to possess firearms/ammo, not just buy them. If you shoot or rent in these places, ranges may need to see:
Disclaimer: Regulations change frequently and vary by city or county. This is not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your range and your state authority before your visit.
Some ranges use an ID scanner to speed up check-in. Good privacy practice is to collect only what’s needed (e.g., name and date of birth) and publish a short information retention policy.
Tip: You can ask your range which fields they store and for how long. Transparent policies help everyone.
Short answer: In most cases no, because federal law prohibits possession of firearms and ammunition by prohibited persons, including most felons. Handling a rental gun or ammo at a range counts as possession. See 18 U.S.C. § 922(g).
Details to know:
Bottom line: Unless your rights have been fully restored, do not handle guns or ammo at a commercial range.
Gun ranges ask for ID to verify age, attach waivers, and keep rentals and incidents tied to the right person; NICS background checks are for firearm transfers, not for walking in or using a lane, so on-premises rentals don’t require NICS while any loan that leaves the range does.
Some states also require a possession credential (for example, FOID in Illinois, FID/LTC in Massachusetts, or FPIC in New Jersey), so check your range’s rules before you go. If you’re wondering whether felons can go to a gun range, the answer is usually no unless rights have been formally restored.
Bring a government photo ID, any required state card, eye and ear protection, and take a moment to review how the range handles ID scanning and data retention so your visit is safe and smooth.
No. NICS is for transfers by licensed dealers, not for general range entry. On-premises rentals don’t require NICS; if a gun leaves the premises, they do.
A government-issued photo ID is standard. In a few states, ranges will also check state possession credentials (FOID/FID/LTC/FPIC).
To verify age and attach your signed waiver to the correct person. If an ID scanner is used, it reads standardized machine-readable fields.
FFLs can sell handguns only to 21+ and long guns to 18+; separate provisions restrict handgun possession by minors with narrow exceptions.
Standing in a viewing area isn’t the same as possession, but it can create risk depending on circumstances and local policy. Many commercial ranges won’t allow it. When in doubt, don’t attempt it without legal advice and documentation of rights restoration.
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