VIDEO: Community Welcomes New Gun Range

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)-  Local and state officials are calling a small arms gun range a “needed facility” in Lowndes county. On Friday,  law enforcement, military personnel, and other officials gathered to celebrate its grand opening.

Members of the Air Force, and Police and Sheriff Departments will use the gun range for training.

“It’s a place where people can come and practice their shooting in a controlled environment,” said Joe Max Higgins, CEO  of Golden Triangle Development.

 

The new gun range is a $1.9 million facility. Inside there are 14 lanes for target practice, weapon maintenance and storage areas, as well as classroom space.

“We were fortunate enough to be architects for the project,” said Chris Morrow, from Pryor and Morrow Architect Firm.
“We’re gun enthusiasts, and we have a strong belief in the 2nd Amendment.  We also believe in law enforcement and the military, and what a facility like this can do.”

This gun range is also a money saver.  Col. John Nichols, with the 14th Flying Wing, says this the facility will help cut back on travel expenses.

“We’ve got Security Force Defenders that need to maintain their weapons qualifications,” said Nichols. “This range will allow us to do that without having to travel two or three hours across the state to make this happen.”

Governor Phil Bryant says the gun range will also help save lives.

“We have to send these men and women down range and they need to prepared to do so,” said Bryant. “There’s nothing better than preparing them to defend themselves and liberty around the world,” he said.

The city of Columbus, Lowndes county, and the State of Mississippi have all partnered in making this facility.
A lot of the funding came from the state’s Military community council grant program.
The public is welcome to use the gun range at designated times.

Categories: Local News

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