You don't expect to hear the crack of a .22 caliber rifle while walking past a row of unassuming buildings in Brooklyn. Honestly, most people don't even know it's there. Tucked away on Snell Lane, the Metropolitan Rod & Gun Club is one of those "if you know, you know" landmarks that has survived decades of gentrification, rezoning, and the shifting cultural tides of New York City. It isn't just a place to shoot; it’s a living artifact of a version of the city that is rapidly disappearing.
Finding a place to practice marksmanship in the five boroughs is, frankly, a headache. Between the strict licensing requirements and the sheer lack of physical space, most NYC residents assume they have to drive two hours upstate or into Jersey just to see a range. That's why this club is such an anomaly. It has been around since the mid-1930s. Think about that for a second. While the rest of Brooklyn was being torn down and rebuilt into glass towers and artisanal coffee shops, this basement range just kept humming along. It’s gritty. It’s old-school. It’s exactly what you’d expect from a club that’s been part of the fabric of the neighborhood for nearly a century.
What Actually Happens Inside the Metropolitan Rod & Gun Club?
Most people have a very specific, often wrong, image of what a private gun club looks like. They imagine high-tech tactical bays or, on the flip side, some dusty "good ol' boys" basement. The Metropolitan Rod & Gun Club is neither of those extremes. It is a member-run, non-profit organization focused heavily on safety, education, and the sportsmanship of target shooting.
The facility itself is primarily a 50-foot indoor range. You aren't going to be firing high-powered rifles or shotguns here; the backstops and ventilation are designed for small-bore rifles and handguns. This limitation is actually its strength. Because the focus is on precision and target shooting rather than "spraying and praying," the atmosphere is surprisingly quiet and disciplined. Members are often seen hunkered over benches, obsessing over groupings that are smaller than a dime. It's a game of millimeters.
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The club isn't just about the range time, though. It’s about the community. You’ve got retired cops, school teachers, construction workers, and young professionals all sitting in the same common area talking about grip angles or the best way to clean a lead-fouled barrel. It’s one of the few places in New York where your zip code or your salary doesn't really matter as much as your ability to follow the four rules of firearm safety.
Navigating the Membership Maze
Joining a club like this isn't as simple as signing up for a gym membership at Equinox. You can't just walk in, swipe a credit card, and start shooting. New York City firearm laws are some of the most restrictive in the United States, and the Metropolitan Rod & Gun Club reflects that reality in its onboarding process.
First off, you usually need to be a licensed firearm owner in NYC to even think about regular use, which is a bureaucratic marathon in itself. The club typically requires prospective members to be sponsored or at least go through a rigorous vetting process. Why? Because they operate on a "key club" basis. Once you are a trusted member, you often have a high degree of autonomy in how you use the facility. That trust has to be earned. They aren't interested in "tourist" shooters who want to take selfies for Instagram. They want people who are serious about the craft.
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If you’re looking to get a foot in the door, they occasionally host open nights or specific programs for the public, such as hunter safety courses or youth marksmanship programs. The CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) is a big part of their heritage. They’ve historically been very active in teaching the fundamentals to the next generation, proving that gun ownership in a metropolitan area can be handled with extreme responsibility.
The Reality of Owning a Gun in Brooklyn
Let’s be real: owning a gun in Brooklyn is a polarizing topic. If you tell your neighbors at a Park Slope dinner party that you’re a member of the Metropolitan Rod & Gun Club, you’re going to get some looks. Some will be curious; others will be borderline hostile. The club exists in this strange tension. It provides a safe, legal outlet for a constitutional right in a city that often feels like it wants to legislate that right out of existence.
Because of this, the club maintains a low profile. They don't have massive neon signs. They don't advertise on the subway. This discretion isn't about being "shady"—it’s about survival. By being a "good neighbor" and focusing on the sport rather than the politics, they’ve managed to stay open while dozens of other ranges in the city have been forced to close due to rising rents or political pressure.
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Why This Specific Club Matters for New York History
The Metropolitan Rod & Gun Club is one of the oldest of its kind in the city. When it was founded, Brooklyn was a hub of manufacturing and dock work. Shooting clubs were as common as bowling leagues. They were social hubs for the working class. As the economy of the city shifted toward finance and tech, these social anchors started to drift away.
Keeping a range open in 2026 is an incredible feat of logistics. Think about the lead mitigation alone. The air filtration systems required to keep a basement range safe for human lungs are incredibly expensive and require constant maintenance. Then you have the insurance. The premiums for a gun range in a high-density urban area are astronomical. The fact that a non-profit, member-funded group can keep the lights on suggests that there is a deep, abiding demand for this space that transcends simple hobbyism.
How to Get Involved or Visit
If you are actually serious about checking the place out, don't just show up and knock on the door expecting a tour. That’s a quick way to get turned away. The best approach is to monitor their official communications or look for scheduled events.
- Check for Public Courses: They often host New York State Hunter Education classes. This is the best way to see the facility and meet the leadership without needing a license first.
- Understand the Rules: Read up on NYC’s "Premises" vs. "Carry" licenses. You cannot bring a firearm to the club unless it is properly licensed and transported according to NYPD specifications. No exceptions.
- Be Patient: The membership process can take months. It involves interviews, background checks, and a probationary period.
- Focus on Safety: If you do get an invite, your shooting skill matters way less than your muzzle discipline. If you flag someone with an empty gun, you’re done. Period.
The Metropolitan Rod & Gun Club is a reminder that New York is a city of subcultures. Beneath the surface of the "Global City" is a collection of small, dedicated groups of people holding onto traditions that refuse to die. Whether you’re a competitive shooter or just someone interested in the unique history of Brooklyn’s hidden corners, the club remains a fascinating, resilient piece of the urban landscape. It’s not just a basement with some targets; it’s a testament to the fact that even in the most crowded city on earth, you can still find a place to focus, breathe, and hit the bullseye.
To move forward, your first step should be verifying your own licensing status with the NYPD License Division, as the club cannot bypass city regulations for participation. Once your paperwork is in order, reaching out via their official correspondence channels to inquire about the next "Open House" or "Safety Course" is the only reliable way to gain entry.