El Paso/Las Cruces

[Secmat]

It looks like I'll be moving to either El Paso, or Las Cruces in the not so distant future. I'm looking for a heads up on places to shoot, places to buy associated goodies, etc. Any input will be greatly appreciated.

Having to actually acquire a permit to carry will be a shocking experience.

 

[SMLE]

Here is a link to the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association. http://www.nmssa.org/index.html

In NM, you only need a permit if you want to carry a loaded firearm concealed on your person. Open carry is ok and concealed carry on Private property, including your car, is ok. Carrying concealed without a permit is only a misdemeanor unless you're in a bar or liquor store or certain Gov't property. Gun sales are basically "cash and carry", you fill out the 4473, seller calls NICS and you're on your way. If you have the $$$, class 3s are legal too. I have not yet encountered a single NM street cop who was anti-carry, or anti-gun, although your milage may vary.

I have been in El Paso and Las Cruces and I would choose Las Cruces hands down as a place to live. Once again, YMMV.

 

[Dirty Bob]

I prefer Cruces

I lived in LC, NM until 2001. I don't have any gun shops to recommend, but the Butterfield range (go w. on I-10; the Butterfield exit's a few miles out of town, past the prison but before the airport, if I remember correctly. You exit the Interstate and turn right at the stop.) isn't bad. It's primitive, with just some big berms shoved up as backstops. You'll need to bring your own target stands, targets, water, trash bags, etc. On the other hand, it's rarely crowded, and it's free.

I loved NM: my wife and I were married in LC and enjoyed going to Santa Fe for the opera in the summer, to the Gila Wilderness to hike (you must visit the cliff dwellings there!), to Mesilla for church and to have dinner. It's a night-and-day change from New England, but I hope you enjoy it.

Best wishes,
Dirty Bob

 

[SMLE]

It's a night-and-day change from New England

Swamp coolers alone often cause "culture shock".

 

[Leatherneck]

Hey, in Vermont you can't go outside six months a year without preparation; same in NM.

TC
TFL Survivor

 

[Rebel Gunman HK]

I live in the area. Its pretty sad as far as good gun stores. Las cruces has 2 gun stores, and a few sporting goods outlets. El Paso isn't any better. They only have 2 decent gun stores. Probably the best gun store in the area is in Deming, about an hour west of Cruces. Its named New Deal Shooting, or something. Good selection of guns. For the area. As far as places to shoot? The whole area is surrounded by a desolute desert. Have fun! Buffalo Hunter in LC has a gun club that holds regular shoots. IDPA, 3- gun and such. Let me know if ya have any more questions.

 

[Mil Novecientos Once]

I studied in NMSU on Fall 1996 as an exchange student. I fell in love with Las Cruces, actually the whole state; it is such a lovely place that I almost settle there for good. There are so many things to do at the NMSU campus during nigth time that you'll want to clone yourself to take part of everything.

 

[JJohnston015]

I graduated from NMSU in 1991; haven't been back since. If you're a "townie", the area east of Telshor Blvd., around the hospital, was pretty nice. If you'd prefer to be more rural, you can't beat the area along the old highway that runs from Old Mesilla down to El Paso. It runs through miles of pecan orchards, with the trees growing up and over the road. It's some of the best bicycling to be had. If you like winter sports, Ruidoso and Cloudcroft aren't too far away. And don't forget the one-permit-per-lifetime oryx hunts at White Sands.

And you won't have to plug your car in overnight, either.

 

[roo_ster]

LC/EP

Work takes me down there every now & then. If I stay more than one night, I prefer Las Cruces. A much nicer town than El Paso, which is a bit of a pit. First evening I drove through El Paso, I looked over the border and I would sworn it was the inspiration for the far away urban shots in the movie "Blade Runner." Can you say "distopia," boys & girls?

Other options are Alomogordo & some nice places up in the mountains ABOVE THE SNAKE LINE, if that matters to you. Doesn't mean anything to me. Really.

That part of the country has a desolate beauty that is something to behold.

I stop in two of El Paso's gun shops. They are passable, but nothing to write home about.

 

[marsh]

ElPaso/LasCruces

I live in the rural area between L.C. & El Paso, in among the pecan trees.
Very hot in summer. Mildly cold in winter. So far, lowest it has been this winter is +12 degrees.

I only know of only one good gun store here and that is Custom Cartridge in LC. Others are either sleazy pawnshops or chains like Oshman's and Wally world.

Some Deputy Sheriffs here are violently anti-gun to the point of demanding to seize any and all privately owned guns. They don't push too hard though if one stands his ground. Also, very high turnover there due to very low pay.
Non-resident carry permits for Texas are available for NM residents. Not reciprocal with NM.
ElPaso Rod & Gun Club has very nice range. Not free though. Butterfield Range, while free can be very dangerous as there is absolutely no supervision and often are drunks shooting there. Scary at times.
HTH

marsh

 

[Hal]

From a fellow "Yankee" - as in anything North of Texas is considered Yankee territory - -

LC hands down.

No offence intended to the fine Texans - - it was my experience that the people of NM are by far friendlier to "outsiders".

 

[Secmat]

I appreciate your replies folks. It's good to have a little advance intel before heading into different territory. I lived in Phoenix in '79-'80, was stationed at Fort Ord in the 80s, and have basically been around the block, so I enjoy exploring new places. The only thing that really blows my mind a little is all of the open spaces out there. Vermont is a state of valleys; very closed in in comparison. I remember driving West in '79 and just being boggled over the distances you could see in OK, TX, NM, and AZ. The desert is different from the many shades of green here, but it's no less awe inspiring. The thought of being able to shoot comfortably year round is pretty exciting too.

 

[Smoke]

I prefer Las Cruces. A much nicer town than El Paso, which is a bit of a pit.

I couldn't have said it better myself. And I'm a Texan.

El Paso would not be on my top 10 places to live in the southwest. (nor the top 100) Las Cruces might be.

Check out both places before committing....if you have that option.

Smoke