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Friday, March 29, 2024

Unique gun range fires off in P’que

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AS the Commission on Elections-imposed nationwide gun ban took effect Sunday, a P200-million, first-of-its-kind indoor shooting range opens Tuesday at Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City.

World shooting champion Jethro Dionisio and Solaire owner Enrique Razon Jr. will lead the ceremonial shooting at the members-only Sky Range Shooting Club that boasts of luxurious country club amenities designed by US-based firm Action Target System.

At P500,000 in exclusive club membership fees, the elite members may choose to bring their own guns for use or safekeeping at the club or opt to try a wide selection of high-end firearms.

No less than Solaire’s chief of security, former police Col. Michael Ray Aquino set up the strict security inside and outside of the Sky Range to screen the players.

Absolutely no liquor is allowed and no intoxicated player can fire a gun. But smoking is allowed in the cigar lounge.

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Former print journalist Gerry de Belen, who became a gun enthusiast after his job at Malaya compelled him to train to protect himself and family from rogue police and government officials he was then covering, manages the Sky Range as president and COO or chief operating officer.

A sharpshooter, De Belen used to win coveted prizes in gun competition among the marksmen-reporters and editors in the industry.

Razon, president and chief executive officer of the International Containers Terminal Services Inc. and casino operator Bloomberry, made it a point that the indoor shooting range was the first of its kind in the Philippines that has direct access to the hotel and casino and shops.

It is right above The Theatre at the Mezzanine Floor. Theater-goers are also allowed access up to the lobby café.

Non-members can use the shooting range facility for a one-day pass costing P10,000.

“It is like you firing outdoors because the Action Target installed its advanced ventilation and acoustic technology where toxic air can be discharged and fresh air blown in. We even have the dust collection units,” Aquino told The Standard in an interview at the range’s gourmet café that has menu associated with guns and roses such as Russian Roulette Roast Beef.

The sprawling 3,000-square meter shooting range features 15 lanes, 25-meter long pistol shooting bay and an adjacent five lanes, 50-meter long rifle shooting bay.

The members can fire 25 rounds of live bullets per pistol and 20 rounds for rifles.

The shooting ranges were enclosed in a bullet-proof glass walls and shooters can be seen from a viewing room.

Aquino said business deals can be had while the tycoons are firing their guns because the blast is muffled while conversations are as clear as them having a normal talk.

A separate executive boardroom and conference rooms are also available for serious meetings. There are also locker rooms and showers.

The high-end firearms were sourced from the Arsenal Firearms and from the personal collections of the owners and club executives.

Each member is entitled to a secured gun display cabinet where they can park their guns.

The firearms available for free use of members range from P700,000 to P25 million. The most expensive was Arsenal’s AF2011-A1 P25-million double barrel handcrafted pistol. There are only two of this kind in the world.

The club will only sell club shares to members in these categories: 100 experts at P500,000; 50 corporate and 1,850 sharpshooters.

They are allowed to bring in one shooting buddy and a limited number of guests that can use the facility.

“Amid the hustle and bustle of the city, Sky Range indoor shooting is right on target for relaxation and business deals,” Aquino said.

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