[id10t]

As said, my Gun License is kept and displayed under glass in the National Archives.

But... if all you wanna do is shoot some clays, and maybe some bird hunting, then get your license I guess. Nothing wrong with a good O/U, but a semi may help with recoil management. I'd handle as many different types as you can, even better if you can shoot 'em a few times too. (My local skeet/trap club has several different loaner/rentals - and fellow shooters are usually happy to let you pop a few through their guns).

Also be aware that skeet/trap/sporting clays is not as cheap as it used to be... I used to pay $3/box for reloads (the club had machines set up, you did your own loading and provided your own empties) and $2 for the clays for a round, today it is about double on both costs - and only about 30 cents cheaper buying the ammo at wally world vs. at the range.