Safety Top Priority at Local Gun Range

A 9-year-old girl in Arizona last month accidentally killed her firing range instructor when she lost control of an Uzi submachine gun.

The news has ignited a debate in the country about access to guns and the wisdom of state laws and parents who allow children to shoot firearms.

Shane Downing, co-owner of Tactical Supply and The Range at 1701 Garretson Lane in Yakima, says kids as young as 7 years old are allowed to fire weapons in Washington state. He says there is nothing unsafe about young kids firing weapons as long as they are properly supervised and trained.

All of our staff are trained as range officers. Through that we’re able to create a very controlled environment where just the design and layout of the range itself. From the steel plating to the booths being bulletproof to watching the safety video when you come in. It’s very hands-on.

Downing says major mistakes were made at the Arizona range, mistakes that will not happen at Tactical Supply and The Range, where Downing says safety is the number one priority.

The facility is holding a grand opening this Saturday at 11 a.m.