NCJ Number
208780
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 29 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2005 Pages: 18,20,22
Date Published
February 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article provides guidance for building a police firing range.
Abstract
The article poses questions that must be answered before designing the range and identifies issues that must be addressed in selecting location and implementing the design. The first step in building a range facility is deciding how the range will be used, which includes determining the types of weapons to be fired; whether the range will be used for qualification, training, or both; and the hours of operation. Next, geography is an issue. This is associated with the type of soils and drainage, as well as environmental planning. Such issues will require appropriate consultants and an attorney. The range design must include provision for "creature comforts," such as toilets, a source of potable water, and a means of supplying the range with electricity. A first-class range will include a shoot house in its plan. A live-fire shoot house is a beneficial range feature, but it is expensive to build and maintain. A less expensive alternative is a simulation-fire shoot house designed for use with Simunitions or CQT cartridges. Steel targets are essential for every well-designed firearms training facility. Each type of gun requires a range design appropriate for its features. Suggestions are offered for the various types of police firearms. Safety must be the top priority for a firing range. This means safety measures must be tailored to the type of weapon and ammunition being used, so as to ensure that bullets are stopped within the range perimeters.