|  |     I was down in Orlando from Dec 3-10. I was the first paying customer
    at Quick Shots on Dec 9. The other range was not yet open at that time
    However I was just down there last weekend and looked at the other
    range. Quick Shots is located right on International Drive just before
    the Belz Outlet malls. The other range, I can't remember the name, is
    on Friendship Circle. The rates for Quick Shots are:
    
    
    			Range time	$15.00 per half hour
    			Gun rental	$10.00 Any gun or combination of
    						different weapons for the
    						duration of shooting.
    			Targets			Dependent on type
    			Ammo			Dependant on type
    			Paintball	$9.00 per half hour
    			paintball rental	unknown
    __________________________________________________________________________
    
     The other range rates:
    
    			Range time	$10.00 one time charge per visit
    
    			Gun rental	$7.00-$15.00 depending on weapon
    			Targets		Dependent on type
    			Ammo		Dependent on type
    
    	Both ranges are well controlled and staffed with Qualified safety
    officers and require novice shooters to take a 15-30 min safety course.
    	I spent about an hour speaking with the owner of Quick Shots on my
    first visit about some of the problems that the city gave him when he 
    tried to open. I was also interviewed by both the Orlando Sentinal and
    a local radio station concerning the range opening. Neither one of
    them used the interview due to my pro-gun position as I heard and read
    the published interviews the next day.
    
    	I think that anyone who is interested would find this an enjoyable
    way to spend an hour or so.
    
    					Dave Simons
    
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	There have always been rifle-pistol ranges in the Orlando area, 
        as in most areas of America.  The twist is that two ranges have 
        been allowed to open in the tourists' areas to take advantage of 
        the their dollars.  For many Americans this should be not be any 
	special activity, when you can do it anytime at a home town range.
	But like miniture-golf, visiting gardens, etc. people like to do 
	things on vacation that they may seldom do at home.
 
	Most visitors to the new ranges tend to be from countries 
	where guns are forbidden or limited.  I am not against the ranges 
        as a whole but my concern is that placing ranges on tourists' 
        strips may forester our American gun-totten image especially 
        here in Florida.  I often pass one of the new indoor ranges that 
        opened on International Drive on the way to Beltz Factory Outlet.  
        The signs for it are discreet and I never paid it much attention
	until one of my overseas friends, who has been here many times, 
        was disgusted upon seeing the range and uneasily laughed, "At least 
        we (tourists) now have a chance against you Floridians."  For some 
        this is a fun activity; for others they can not see any amusement.
	Dan
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