Posted on Mar 20, 2015
What are your thoughts about owning an indoor shooting range and training center?
10.9K
50
69
11
11
0
I cannot think of a better group of Professionals to ask this question. How do you feel about owning and operating an indoor shooting range and training facility? I have researched this and I am looking into the possibility of building and operating an indoor shooting range and training facility. Yes, we do have a few, very few, indoor ranges in my State but the majority of these facilities are private clubs. If I do this, my range would be open to the general public. How do you guys feel about this? Is this something that you may have given any thought about?
Because of my Law Enforcement experience and background, I have been approached by the NRA about doing such a project. I’ve already located a suitable site, which borders two States, and I’ve talked to several other retired LE and Military personnel and they are all for it.
We would build an indoor range, eight lanes with two ADA approved lanes, large enough to accommodate not only hand guns but also rifles, shot guns, automatic weapons and up to 50 cal. Sniper Rifles.
We would have a training facility that would not only educate people on gun safety, but the proper way to handle weapons, how to tear down and properly clean their weapons and re-assemble them. I think you get the idea? And yes, before anyone ask, that is a picture of me in my State Police uniform.
Because of my Law Enforcement experience and background, I have been approached by the NRA about doing such a project. I’ve already located a suitable site, which borders two States, and I’ve talked to several other retired LE and Military personnel and they are all for it.
We would build an indoor range, eight lanes with two ADA approved lanes, large enough to accommodate not only hand guns but also rifles, shot guns, automatic weapons and up to 50 cal. Sniper Rifles.
We would have a training facility that would not only educate people on gun safety, but the proper way to handle weapons, how to tear down and properly clean their weapons and re-assemble them. I think you get the idea? And yes, before anyone ask, that is a picture of me in my State Police uniform.
Posted in these groups: 
Shooting (Sport)
Shooting (Sport)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
1
1
0
Great idea! I would love to have access to a facility such as the one you described.
One question... What type of ventilation system would you install? I only ask because we had OSHA issues with ours at the NYSP Academy.
I wish you luck & safe shooting!
One question... What type of ventilation system would you install? I only ask because we had OSHA issues with ours at the NYSP Academy.
I wish you luck & safe shooting!
(1)
(0)
Sgt David G Duchesneau
By the way SSgt, I have already made contact with all the Local Police Departments in the area and they are all for this and have assured me that if we build this, they will come. It's like the movie "Field of Dreams." If you build it, they will come!
(1)
(0)
Sgt David G Duchesneau
You will always be welcomed June. Hell, you are only a few hours away and you never know, maybe someday you'll just decide to take a drive North to check things out?
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I think if I had that kind of money I would do whatever makes me happy. In general I think we need more ranges indoor & outdoor so if anyone here owns one and needs a brass monkey I'm your man or monkey.
(1)
(0)
Cpl Brett Wagner
Live Free or Die! New Hampshire is the only state in New England I would live in Sgt David G Duchesneau.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I think it is a fine idea. I would suggest a more central location like Concord, however. There are firing lines in Manchester and Belmont that tend to do a fairly brisk business. Partnering with a long range, outdoor facility would be ideal.
(1)
(0)
Sgt David G Duchesneau
Thanks for your input Captain. However, the site we are looking at, over 400 acres, is off of a major highway just outside of Rochester and we would draw people from the Seacoast area and from Maine. We would have plenty of room to expand as we grow .
(1)
(0)
(1)
(0)
0
0
0
0
0
0
You need to ensure the HVAC system meets EPA and OSHA standards, especially for lead capture. Employees need to be in a blood lead monitoring program through some sort of occupational health provider.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
I live in central Az where ground temps swing from freezing to 150F during the year.
There are boatloads of places to shoot, but somehow 150F in the sun sucks a lot of the fun out of it.
A couple of years ago an indoor range opened up
Copper Star Indoor Range, Camp Verde, Az (yea ... shameless plug)
I immediately bought a yearly membership and have been keeping it up. I now shoot at least 2x a month which I didn't do out in the wild.
I am sort of friends with the owners and have had a couple discussions about "how is business".
PO2 William Allen Crowder mentions the liability insurance issue and I have to agree. That must be a pretty good sized nut.
Also ... this is the state where there was a 9 year old girl who needed to fire a full-auto Uzi because it was on her "bucket list". So her parents rolled her out to a range (outside in this case). Long story short, the Uzi got away from her and dropped the RSO who was couching her with a GSW to the head. He was an Iraq / Afghanistan vet.
So if you go into this with eyes wide open you can provide the shooting public with a fine service ... understanding that your worst day could be a real MoFo.
There are boatloads of places to shoot, but somehow 150F in the sun sucks a lot of the fun out of it.
A couple of years ago an indoor range opened up
Copper Star Indoor Range, Camp Verde, Az (yea ... shameless plug)
I immediately bought a yearly membership and have been keeping it up. I now shoot at least 2x a month which I didn't do out in the wild.
I am sort of friends with the owners and have had a couple discussions about "how is business".
PO2 William Allen Crowder mentions the liability insurance issue and I have to agree. That must be a pretty good sized nut.
Also ... this is the state where there was a 9 year old girl who needed to fire a full-auto Uzi because it was on her "bucket list". So her parents rolled her out to a range (outside in this case). Long story short, the Uzi got away from her and dropped the RSO who was couching her with a GSW to the head. He was an Iraq / Afghanistan vet.
So if you go into this with eyes wide open you can provide the shooting public with a fine service ... understanding that your worst day could be a real MoFo.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Excellent idea.
Will you be maintaining "club" (I realize you won't be a club) weapons on site? This requires an FFL (which is a pain... trust me).
Will you be doing any gunsmithing/repairs (again FFL)
Will you be doing any shipping/etc?
If you are doing any training, will you do certifications for Concealed for other states (Non resident permits)?
Former Gun Dealer here - Feel free to hit me up for any of the odd ball questions you may have.
Will you be maintaining "club" (I realize you won't be a club) weapons on site? This requires an FFL (which is a pain... trust me).
Will you be doing any gunsmithing/repairs (again FFL)
Will you be doing any shipping/etc?
If you are doing any training, will you do certifications for Concealed for other states (Non resident permits)?
Former Gun Dealer here - Feel free to hit me up for any of the odd ball questions you may have.
(0)
(0)
Sgt David G Duchesneau
Yes, Sgt, to all of the above. Training will be done in a class room on site by Certified NRA & F&G instructors and we already have reached out to all of the major gun companies like S&W, GLOCK, Colt, Rugger, Sig Arms, etc. They are all in! I really appreciate the offer to contact you and don't be surprised when I call. This being a new venture, I will need all the advice I can get. Thanks again! Dave
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
This is a very popular and successful concept in Texas....Almost all that I have seen have a gun shop as the "front" business and many of them rent firearms for use on the range. The rental is typically considered a "test drive" for someone considering a purchase to try out a weapon before buying. Many (not all) offer training, and most of the training in the case of TX is the training required for a CHL (concealed handgun license).
(0)
(0)
Sgt David G Duchesneau
Thanks Sgt and this is all a part of our Business Plan. We do plan on operating an in house store for both ammo and gun purchases.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Yes Come to Valdosta, GA to build one. We need one bad. It would be very, very successful here. I will be waiting.....
(0)
(0)
MSgt Allan Vrboncic
Man I wish this place had an Edit feature. It was supposed to read, "You build it."
(0)
(0)
Sgt David G Duchesneau
I am collaborating with my friend in GA and you never know. And by the way, there is an edit feature on these post.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Being a competitive shooter that has been to a few indoor ranges, I'd say go for it. Not that many indoor ranges around. I've always enjoyed being in ones that had electronic scoring targets, great to be able to shoot during bad weather.
(0)
(0)
Sgt David G Duchesneau
Amen to that brother! Thanks for your support! This is what makes RP so unique, all of you!
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google