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My parents are beginning to become gun people. They let me shoot on their property whenever I feel like it, and are starting to join in. My Dad bought himself a new HK P30 the other week and my Mom carries her Sig Mosquito on her hip while walking the ranch now. I like the direction both of them are going with their pro gun attitude. My question is how hard would it be to open an indoor range on their private property and open it as a business. They are interested in something similar to TOP GUN without the class rooms maybe. They are interested in getting their FFL and having pistols and some rifles for sale along with accessories and ammo. An indoor range would need to be at least ten lanes closer to twenty would be better I'm sure. We have questions about permits, backstops, lead contamination, ventilation, and a few others too. Any knowledge, personal experience, or advice on getting this off the ground would be great. My Dad is looking at impeding termination from his company of almost 30yrs. So they are looking to do something and they think the gun industry is a new frontier for them. Neither one of them is new to small business or management so the business aspect does not scare them at all. Its just getting the opinions, wants, and needs of the modern shooter that they are after. Nothing is set in stone it is all in the developmental stages as of now, but they would be looking to get it set up in the SW Houston/Richmond area.

I suggest contacting the NRA for information on ranges. They should be able to head you in the right direction. Also, I would suggest making a business plan so you can study the financials before investing any money. Getting the opinions of shooters is relatively easy. Determining the wants and needs of shooters is a difficult proposition. They are a very different and diverse demographic.

Contact ShilohShooters. They just went through this in the past couple of years.

I'd be interested in knowing the ins and outs of this as well.

Same here , but maybe an outdoor as well
Been really thinking about this.

I figured up the cost to open a public outdoor range two years ago. I gave up after it topped $300,000.00 with the various Federal and State requirements. And that did not include cost of land to put it on.

I suspect you are looking at at least a million bucks to build a public indoor range.

tfrazier wrote:I figured up the cost to open a public outdoor range two years ago. I gave up after it topped $300,000.00 with the various Federal and State requirements. And that did not include cost of land to put it on.

I suspect you are looking at at least a million bucks to build a public indoor range.

Wow!!! $300,000?!?!?! For what? I figured the land was the most expensive part of this by a long shot.

What adds up to $300,000 ... is it stuff like environmental impact studies and the like? attorneys fees?

The environmental aspect is what we are trying to avoid with the indoor range. My Mom's employer had an offer to develop an acreage subdivision on some property adjacent to the Carter's range in Spring that fell through due to environmental waste and the land being useless for habitation from the lead contamination. An indoor range will be costly but I see no where near the 1 million mark. I think with some do it yourself in the plan we could fall in closer to the $300,000 mark. They own the property free and clear already. Our gears are turning so any help/input is much appreciated.

WOW , that is pretty steep... maybe if one was for sale , could buy it and improve on it... wishful thinking but probably wont happen....
Guess Ill just keep my eyes and ears open for something...