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Gun range opens with a bang
By ADAM L. R. SUMMERS
News Review Staff Writer
http://www.news-ridgecrest.com
Prominent officials and ordinary citizens alike turned out for the first volley at the opening of the Ridgecrest Gun Range on Monday, Feb. 23.
“This is the first public range to have been built in California in nearly a quarter of a century,†said Judith Rogow, public relations officer for the Ridgecrest Gun Range Association.
The opening shooters included Kern County 1st District Supervisor Jon McQuiston and National Rifle Association Central California District Director Daryl Amble.
The range is on a large tract of private land, allowing the association to give local shooting groups their own areas to develop ranges suited to their particular style of shooting, said RGRA President Tom Wiknich.
He added that because of the private ownership of the land, “We’re not faced with potential closures, not faced with having to worry about multiple use like somebody riding a motorcycle across the firing line, the firing line is covered, [the range] goes out to 600 yards and you can do it all safely.â€
At 170 acres, the range is enormous in comparison to most gun ranges, with only premiere ranges like Front Sight and a few NRA facilities being larger, Wiknich said.
Two local shooting clubs —Sierra Desert Gun Club and Robbers’ Roost Vigilantes — have already developed their own areas within the range complex.
Other groups are also planning development, Rogow said. “The site will also be used by local law enforcement agencies for training and proficiency testing, by Cerro Coso Community College for training of students in their criminal justice program and by local firearms instructors to train new shooters...and improve the skill level of current shooters.â€
“It’s open. It’s not done,†Wiknich said.
The range is open to members seven days a week for open shooting during daylight hours. Individual memberships cost $5 for a week or $25 for a year and can be purchased at Todd’s Outdoor Supply, Postal Services Plus, GUNS4US and 40-X Guns. An annual family membership is also available for $50.
Anyone interested in receiving training in firearms safety and shooting skills may contact Wiknich, who will refer students to instructors teaching the skills and skill level each student needs. He can be reached by phone at 375-1004 or by email at [email protected].
Gun range opens with a bang
By ADAM L. R. SUMMERS
News Review Staff Writer
http://www.news-ridgecrest.com
Prominent officials and ordinary citizens alike turned out for the first volley at the opening of the Ridgecrest Gun Range on Monday, Feb. 23.
“This is the first public range to have been built in California in nearly a quarter of a century,†said Judith Rogow, public relations officer for the Ridgecrest Gun Range Association.
The opening shooters included Kern County 1st District Supervisor Jon McQuiston and National Rifle Association Central California District Director Daryl Amble.
The range is on a large tract of private land, allowing the association to give local shooting groups their own areas to develop ranges suited to their particular style of shooting, said RGRA President Tom Wiknich.
He added that because of the private ownership of the land, “We’re not faced with potential closures, not faced with having to worry about multiple use like somebody riding a motorcycle across the firing line, the firing line is covered, [the range] goes out to 600 yards and you can do it all safely.â€
At 170 acres, the range is enormous in comparison to most gun ranges, with only premiere ranges like Front Sight and a few NRA facilities being larger, Wiknich said.
Two local shooting clubs —Sierra Desert Gun Club and Robbers’ Roost Vigilantes — have already developed their own areas within the range complex.
Other groups are also planning development, Rogow said. “The site will also be used by local law enforcement agencies for training and proficiency testing, by Cerro Coso Community College for training of students in their criminal justice program and by local firearms instructors to train new shooters...and improve the skill level of current shooters.â€
“It’s open. It’s not done,†Wiknich said.
The range is open to members seven days a week for open shooting during daylight hours. Individual memberships cost $5 for a week or $25 for a year and can be purchased at Todd’s Outdoor Supply, Postal Services Plus, GUNS4US and 40-X Guns. An annual family membership is also available for $50.
Anyone interested in receiving training in firearms safety and shooting skills may contact Wiknich, who will refer students to instructors teaching the skills and skill level each student needs. He can be reached by phone at 375-1004 or by email at [email protected].
