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StumbleClark County Shooting Park opens
Park offers multiple ranges for different kinds of weapons
Firing the first shots, Nevada state Sen. John Lee, left, and Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins officially open the new Clark County Shooting Park Saturday morning.
Published Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 | 4:10 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009 | 6:08 p.m.
Clark County Shooting Park
Shooting Park
Address: 11357 N Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89124Temporary hours:
- Dec. 19 and 20, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Dec. 26 and 27, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Jan. 2 and 3, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More info. online here
Clark County Commissioner Tom Collins and state Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas, fired the first shots Saturday at the new Clark County Shooting Park.
The new facility, which is on the northern edge of the valley, has multiple ranges for different kinds of weapons: rifle, shotgun, pistol and bow and arrow.
According to Don Turner, the park’s manager, the facility fills a gaping hole in the county, where 45 percent of residents own a gun but there was no public shooting range.
“So they are going out in the desert and because the population was growing it was causing environmental problems and safety problems,” he said. “There’s not many basketball players in town, but we have basketball courts, so it was just a natural thing to have a safe facility for people to come.”
Lee said he was excited about the benefits the park will have for people who enjoy the outdoors, but don’t necessarily use firearms.
“We’re cleaning up the deserts to have a place where people can go out and mountain bike and hike and not have the threat of an errant shot,” he said.
And the benefits to shooters will be tremendous as well, the state senator said.
“Today feels like the start of legitimizing shooting again. People can actually come somewhere and enjoy the sport and not have people look at them and be offended,” he said. “This is a place where people can come and this sport can thrive. It’s a rebirth of the sport in the valley.”
Collins seemed to greatly enjoy using his guns at the new range and happily passed the firearms to others and showed them how to use it.
He said the shooting park will be another one of the many reasons Las Vegas is a popular place for people to come visit.
“We have this opportunity for so many people, not just in Southern Nevada, but from throughout the nation and the world to be able to come here to this facility,” he said. “This is going to be an enhancement to this community and a benefit for sportsmen throughout the country.”
Collins also couldn’t stop thanking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who helped pass legislation to fund the park and get the land transferred from the Bureau of Land Management to the county.
“People can come up here thanks to Senator Harry Reid for a nominal amount of money and can shoot and enjoy the recreation that’s affordable and available to folks in the West,” Collins said. “This is just a tremendous opportunity.”
Reid issued his own statement from Washington recognizing the opening of the park.
“This park is a symbol of the good things that are possible when Nevadans come together to solve problems,” he said. “Through the establishment of the Clark County Shooting Park, we have a state-of-the-art (facility) that will bring visitors from around the world, including military and law enforcement personnel.”
The park is now open for use on the weekends and will be open full-time beginning in January. The cost to use the park is $7 per day for rifles, pistols and archery and $6 per 25-bird round for shotguns.
What opened Saturday is just the first $61 million and 178-acres of the facility, which was funded by the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act.
In all, 2,900 acres of land were set aside for the shooting range.
The park is bordered on the east and north by a desert wildlife preserve and on the south by a wash, which ensures that the closest homes are more than a mile away from the shooting, Turner said.
Robert and Janet Combs, who own the R.C. Farms pig ranch in North Las Vegas, came to the opening.
They said items on their property have been hit many times by people who are out shooting in the desert.
“We get people who are not responsible or don’t care and shoot our property,” Robert Combs said.
They are happy the park provides an alternative for people who want to shoot.
“It teaches our kids to use these dangerous weapons responsibly,” Robert Combs said. “Any time it teaches the children responsibility, that helps us all.”
It also is on the land they have brought their family many times to explore and play, so they are happy to see it put to good use so everyone can enjoy it.
“We’re tickled to death to see his, I personally am,” Janet Combs said. “I expect to be a frequent user of it.”
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Hey writer - Do you think you could mention if it costs anything?
Yeah, costs would be a good thing to know. Additionally, driving directions would be great!
Maybe we could get Pinky to pull the butts...
We have strains on our finances like never before, so why, in the name of God do we need a place where functioning morons can go to play with guns?
The only responsible gun ownership is no ownership.
Guns were cool a hundred years ago, but then so were public executions.
The sooner we pull our heads out of the sand and ban these things, the better.
As my user name says it, I am a gun owner for 10 years now. I only buy legal guns and make sure everyone is on file and locked up when I am not home. That is a responsible GUN OWNER!! The bad guys are going to get guns and I bet they won't register them! I have a BSBA (Bachelor of Science Business Administration) (for the non-educated moron) from UNLV and love to go shooting. We will see if you change your mind when you have a home invasion (like I did before I owned a gun) and they stick a gun to your wife's head and say "give us your money or we will blow her @#&!ing head off".
Bonus Incentive!!!
Metro will be releasing cop killers and sex offenders onto the range....
No limits!!!
Not only PRICE but they need to seriously update the website!
As for comments like "The only responsible gun ownership is no ownership."
The writer had given one of the best examples I've seen of an oxymoron, with particular emphasis on MORON!
I too have a BS, but in my particular case BSCS (Bachelor of Science Computer Science) (ditto). Ditto the remaining of "rugerman". Could not have stated it better myself!
Hey Johnny,
Why not fill out a Volunteer Application?
I hear the range is looking for catchers!
Hey Johnny
We have parks for you to play soccer, basketball and skate. We have parks to take a dog to and play, seriously! And now yes, we have a park for those of us who still live in the wild, wild west and like to shoot stuff. I bet this "park" is busier than you average park. Your an id?
@tbvegas -
Thanks for pointing that out. We added the prices to the story. It is $7 for rifles, pistols and archery per day and $6 per 25-bird round for shotguns.
@burnemandturnem -
As for directions, just take Decatur north -- as far north as it goes. It's north of the 215 Beltway. There is a map on the right side of the story that you can zoom and move around to see where it is.
Mr and Mrs Combs..maybe the shots sent onto your property are intentional for your lack of caring for fouling up the air with the smell of disgusting manure.
You guys don't read the entire article or what? Th cost is quoted below -
"The park is now open for use on the weekends and will be open full-time beginning in January. The cost to use the park is $7 for rifles, pistols and archery and $6 per 25-bird round for shotguns."
Am I missing something? I want to know if they will rent out guns or will it be strictly BYOG
This is a great day for Nevada and to all of us legal gun owners' I myself will be going out there soon for a wonderful day of shooting. (HOW ABOUT THAT LORDGLENMORE)
This is really nice it's about time
$7.00 a day to shoot off a few rounds seems a bit steep. I thought the purpose of the park was to keep people from shooting guns out in the desert. No wonder opening day of the park didn't draw a crowd. I would consider paying a $25 annual fee. Other wise what a waste of 61 million. Until they lower the price to use the park I'll just keep shooting in the good old desert.
Thank you to the county commissioner and all others that were instrumental in bringing this much needed facility to the valley
....Responsible gun ownership - COOL...Pro Football - COOL...MLB Baseball - COOL...Public Executions???(Really?) NOT cool & never have been! Invoking God's name from someone who does not believe in Him in order to make a political statement...SACRILEGIOUS!!!!!
7 Buck aint alot for range fees.....ever been to any local gun range....besides I am sure the money or at least a small amount goes back to the county. I am one that used to go blast the desert to pieces but now I have rifle range to shoot at. Actually I would pay 14 buck to shoot!
public executions would be cool..better yet...put them in an arena at Mandalay as an opening act to a UFC fight..and charge everyone on pay per view to see it. Hell, we could pay down the national debt with those revenues!
I went to an indoor range just the other day and after renting the lane and purchasing the ammo that they aprove, it cost 7x what they will charge for the use of this range! Does anyone know if there will be a "brand" restriction on ammo? Because some manufacturers use a steel core in their ammo, however if the berm/backstop is compacted dirt, I hope this will not be an issue.
As for redneck_43's comments...Now that's funny!
Sounds like a great place and the $7 per day price is VERY reasonable. But what the heck cost $61 million for only 178 acres of the total 2900 acres? If it's going to cost $61 mil for every 178 acres that's about another $915 mil! Even if it's $61 mil for the entire cost it's still steep. Was the land just given free to the county by BLM? What type of facilities encompass this park? For that price they better be pretty nice! I still thinks it's a good idea for a place to shoot rather than out in the desert where you never know who is running around shooting where ever. Good luck with it.
7 bucks is fair seeing how on average you will likely be popping off a hundred bucks or so of ammo.
I for one think they spent too much money. 61 million, seriously, holy crap that is a lot for a few burms of dirt and some tables. Oh I forgot , Harry Ried had something to do with it, I get it now.
I agree it was needed though, All the deserts around are getting trashy and now can be cleaned up. Let's use the criminals that committed gun crimes to do it. lol
I went out there last Week and parked @ the visitors center. There are several cinder block bldgs., a maint. shed, paved roads and I also noticed a motor home parked there but didn't investigate further to see if there are hook ups that allow for over night stay w/ a motor home. All in all, it was pretty nice, but yeah I don't see how it could cost THAT much!
Seven bucks is nothing really. I'm sure it costs me that much in time and gas to get into the boonies on north 93 and back. Plus you can pick up ammo at Wal-Mart (provided it's in stock) on the way out.
Seven bucks is about the same as a stick of 100 decent .22 shells or two mags worth of .40 S&W ammo.
I can't wait to go.
A few quick questions:
1. Will the safety course required to obtain a CCW be available at the Park?
2. Will firearms, ammunition and targets be available for purchase?
3. Can folks rent firearms?
4. Is alcohol permitted?
5. Will there be instructional/training courses offered?
6. Will instructional videos (DVDs) be available for purchase?
7. Are fully automatic weapons permitted?
FWIW:
How to Get a Permit to Carry a Concealed Weapon in Nevada
Nevada is a "shall issue" state. A carry and conceal weapon (CCW) permit will be issued to anyone who qualifies and will serve as a National Instant Criminal System (NICS) check. The issuing authority is the county sheriff. The following steps will show how to obtain a CCW license in Nevada.
1. Be 21 years old and complete a firearm safety course approved by the Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association. The training must take place in Nevada and be given by an instructor with a business license at the training location. Check with your local sheriff for details.
2. Obtain an application form from your local sheriff. Submit the completed application and training certificate and the application fee.
3. Pass a criminal background check in accordance with NRS 202.360 and pay the fee for the background investigation.
4. Provide any additional documentation required by your local sheriff. Clark County, for example, also requires you to register your firearms, get fingerprinted and photographed.
5. Carry your permit and identification whenever you carry a concealed weapon. You must present the documents upon demand by a police officer.
6. Renew your permit every five years if you're a resident and every three years is you're a non-resident. You will be prohibited from carrying a concealed firearm into a public airport, public school or any building with a sign banning firearms.
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wanna see some fun shooting...go to www.dogbegone.com...and look at the videos.
Red, that link didn't work for me.
However the following is a highly recommended video entitled "Deadly Weapons: Firearms & Firepower" for more information see included web-link below.
You've seen all the Hollywood nonsense -- now see what real firearms can do -- and what they can't do.
See and learn what real firearms really do.
Machine guns, silencers, assault rifles, shotguns, handguns.
Deadly Weapons is used for training by the CIA, FBI, U.S. Army, Marines -- and thousands of law enforcement agencies around the world. Over 100 minutes of solid information.
Content includes such topics as:
Will a bullet ignite a gas tank?
How effective is full auto firing?
Which bullets will penetrate a car door?
How quiet is a real silencer?
What will a .50 caliber Browning Heavy Machine gun firing armor-piercing, incendiary, tracer bullets do to a car?
http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Weapons-Fir...
Enjoy
: {
I couldn't be happier about the shooting park. It was a major factor in my decision to purchase a home in that area. This is going to be a world class facility, and yes, a boon to the economy.
Where is it located? Open your eyes and look north. You can't really miss it at the base of Fossil Ridge.
isnt this where the old mint gun club used to b
Hows about some topless babes demonstrating firearms safety at frequent intervals throughout the day. A two drink minimum should cover the cost.................
Poor redneck,
You fail to realize the pig farm was there DECADES before the first houses and any idiot (including you??) who bought a house by it deserves the smell. The same goes for the sewer plants off Vegas Valley in the east.
What's all the who how about this gun ownership thing? When gun ownership is illegal our countrys sovereignty will be at stake. Since when is gun ownership a partisan type subject? I wish you people would stop stereotyping legal owners, it is only a reflection about yourself and your feelings. I am a professional and law abiding registered voter/citizen like many, many legal gun owners. Get over it there are no party lines for us, this goes for both ends of the stereotyping. The county shooting complex is the answer for good clean legal fun for all.
lvman53
Hey lvman53: People like that really should just move to Europe and live in a nanny state where they can feel safe all the time from the big bad world but yet not be able to live like free men and woman.
I nominate R. Lee Emry as range master, he is the guy from history channel that shoots all those cool weapons.
http://dogbegone.com/video.html
call it the "dick cheney NLV firing range" and invite all the gangbangers and thugs for miles around; another community service provided by your local NRA.
gangbangers and their community are generally voting for the democratic party
One of the funniest things is to see people say about taking away guns. Then who will police the outlaws with guns? Police with riot sticks? Bet there would be a huge opening for that job. Have a nice safe holiday provided to you by your neighbors with guns.
The 4-H Clubs have a gun project for which the members are credited that teaches the basics of gun handling. The park is a wonderful place for those who like to shoot and have used highway signs, windows of abandon farm homes and windows of nonabandon homes as targets. The fact is that those same persons would not participate in the use of the park--no matter how many parks with facilities there are.
BB guns should be allowed in the park also.
We have strains on our finances like never before, so why, in the name of God do we need a place where functioning morons can go to play with guns?
The only responsible gun ownership is no ownership.
Guns were cool a hundred years ago, but then so were public executions.
The sooner we pull our heads out of the sand and ban these things, the better.
YAWN....
Someone, anyone who is a legal gun owner here, explain to Lord Glenmore what the shooting range is all about. Explain to him what being a legal owner is all about. And don't take insult to the "functioning morons" label.....
PS Believe me - if public executions were put on a ballot for the voting public to decide - they WOULD BE BACK!!!
I'd vote for public executions
"What opened Saturday is just the first $61 million and 178-acres of the facility" -- What the heck did they specifically spend $61 million on? Somebody need a kickback or something?
Complaining about legal gun ownership is like complaining bad TV don't participate! The founding father had the wisdom to know if the "government" & criminals" were the only ones with arms, the society was doomed. Now are there bad things related to guns? Yes, kids getting hurt by irresponsible parents; Raising kids involves you teaching right and wrong alcohol use, guns, driving and responsible sex. Many let the school system do this. The reason for a legal gun range in Clark County is a range is better than practicing in the desert. Every person at a gun range has to produce a "blue card" this proves they are responsible brought the gun to a police station, gave a fingerprint to register. So they are not the gang bangers, bank robbers, criminals by definition. Given the state of the economy, thugs with guns, the best line of defense is a handgun in the hands of a trained gun owner. That park will improve the shooting skills. By the time you dial 911 if some body kick in your door, you are dead. However, if you have handgun". If you breakdown outside the city, you may be "helped" by a human predator"Even with open carry you will have some chance to survive assault.I believe that the military style assault gun gives legit guns a bad image. An automatic shotgun can actually provide a lot of legal firepower home defense and legit hunting. If you have never shot a handgun or shotgun, and read only about kids that shot one another I can understand you anger and wish that nobody had guns. But let me suggest for those that say nobody should have a gun (of course criminals always will they will be armed) But if you feel the power of gun in a range safe environment, I think you would change your emotional distaste for guns to a more understanding view, the safety involved is outstanding! Further, you do realize that > 50K Americans die in car accidents each year should we get rid of cars? And, 50% of those 50K car deaths involve alcohol, should we remove alcohol, or just parking lots in front of bars? Go to FBI web sites and check out the number of home assaults, abductions (not related to family and kids), its over 250K people each year. Summarizing I understand the fear and distain of the cases where irresponsible people lets their kids guns and little Johnny shoots his best friend, but this is rare. The drive by gang bangers fueled by the narco trade is not going to be effected by stopping the blue card carrying folks practicing in a world class out doors shooting park. Further, I know of two cases where gun laws have prevented an ugly abuse to me and mine, once decades ago in Texas in a remote area, and recently in open area where gang banger were starting to congregate and hassle folks walking at night with dogs and others, 1 week of open carry by the walkers moved the "congregation elsewhere, so I know it pays to pack some heat so people with a distorted value system (but do respect open display of force) to keep things civil.
"There are no "good" guns, there are no "bad" guns. A gun in the hands of a bad man is a bad thing. Any gun in the hands of a good man is no threat to anyone but a bad person". - Charleton Heston
Come on people, can we at least agree that criminals (thieves, gangbangers, rapists and murderers) will always have guns regardless of what the laws are? How can anyone say that all guns should be banned? Criminals are getting more aggressive and desperate every day. If guns are banned from all law abiding citizens, can you even imagine what these heartless thugs who have no regard for human life would do to you and your family if they knew that there were no guns in any homes? How would you protect yourself from the certain increase (if guns are banned) in home invasions and violent crime? Hint: A baseball bat versus criminals guns = you lose. Remember folks, these thugs are working in teams of 3 or 4 armed assailants already. How many people ended up being charged in the home invasion and murder of off duty Metro Officer Trevor Nettleton? 5 or 6? Within the last 3 months in Vegas on at least 3 occasions, the homeowner has been fortunate enough to at least return fire at the criminals as Officer Nettleton did. In that case, they may have never been caught if none of them were wounded. You see, seeking medical attention for a gun shot would arises suspicion.
The bottom line is this. The answer to the question of what will criminals do to you and your family if they know you have no guns to protect yourself?.... ANYTHING THEY WANT TO!!!
Even if you don't like guns yourself, the fact that your neighbor may have guns in his or her house is in itself a deterrent to many criminals.
To those who do own guns, do it responsibly. Teach your children about firearm safety and even though they may know how to safely shoot and operate your guns, only allow them access to them with your supervision. Keep guns in a safe to prevent unauthorized access by your children and their friends as well as criminals who may break into your home while you are away. Saying "I don't care if my guns get stolen... that's what I have homeowner's insurance for" just won't cut it. That's how guns get in the hands of the wrong people.
Think about it.
There are some pretty nice houses less then a mile from the park and more planned in that area off Jones and Decatur. Not all that land is government owned so it will be interesting to see what the place does for property values there especially after word gets out and people start using it.
so it would be more appealing to you if it was in a poor neighborhood?
1youngguy
What property values? They're already close to rock bottom now; maybe the shooting range will help bring the property values back up.
Well put - 'thinkaboutit' - I agree
Losing money and more money...
Nice park but $61 Million dollars nice?
No...