Do I need any prior experience before joining the club?

You do not need any prior experience in shooting to the join the club (and the majority of new members have none).

I am an international student/graduate student/faculty member/Yale employee - can I join the club?

Yes, you can. The club is open to everyone affiliated with Yale. The only existing limitation is membership in the team -- only currently enrolled undergraduates can be part of the teams competing in intercollegiate matches.

Do you provide training?

We are happy to train all new club members in the safe handling of firearms. All new members, regardless of previous experience, must go through a safety orientation program. The length of the training depends on the number of participants.
We also offer NRA Basic Pistol Certification for those who would like this level of qualification. The training is the same, but you must take a written and practical test as well. We charge only a moderate fee compared to most local gun stores charging between $120 and $200 for this service. NRA certification is needed to acquire a concealed weapons license in most states, including Connecticut (only people over the age of 21 can have a concealed weapons license). The certificate would also look nice on the wall beside your Yale diploma.

Do I need to own a firearm/can I bring my own firearm?

You do not need to own a gun -- the club has a number of firearms which members are welcome to use. If you do possess your own firearm, you may store your it at the Yale Armory, pending approval of the club president. It must be taken to/from the Yale armory unloaded in a locked container and cannot be anywhere else on or near Yale campus except the Yale Armory. GUNS ON OR IN THE VICINITY OF YALE CAMPUS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.

Where do you practice?

All our shooting takes place at the Yale Armory and other local ranges. The Armory can be accessed using the Yale athletic buses. We run carpools from/to Phelps Gate for all other destinations.

You can find the shuttle bus schedules to the armory here and a map of the Yale Bowl area including the Armory here.

When do you practice?

Club practices are generally on Friday afternoons at a local outdoor range. Team practice schedules are more variable and are either at the Yale Armory or other ranges in the area. All practices are supervised by our coach and other team officers. For recreational members, once you go through the initial orientation, you are welcome to come to as many or as few of these practices as you like. There is no additional commitment.

What do I need to do before I can join the club/come to my first practice

Prior to coming you your first practice, you need to complete our waiver form and attend a safety orientation session. You cannot shoot until we have your signed waivers on file.

Are there competitions?

There local pistol matches most Tuesday nights against local gun clubs with the Revolver League of Connecticut. Before you start shooting in these matches, you must be cleared by the coach, as you must be fully competent in the safe handling of the pistols and have at least a reasonable degree of precision and accuracy.

The only club members eligible to shoot in intercollegiate competitions are currently enrolled undergraduate students who are on the pistol or rifle teams.