Climate-controlled firing range in Cape unique in area

An indoor shooting range opened in September in Cape Girardeau, becoming the only such range for about 100 miles, according to Eric Young, owner of Eagle Gun and Shooting Range.

There are two unstaffed shooting range facilities in Cape Girardeau County maintained by the Missouri Department of Conservation, according to the its website. Apple Creek allows pistol, rifle, handgun and archery practice, and Maintz Wildlife Preserve allows archery practice.

The indoor shooting facility at 3138 Highway 177 in Cape Girardeau houses 10 shooting lanes in a ventilated, climate-controlled environment.

The perks of shooting in an indoor range include the controlled environment, automatic target retrieval and convenience, Young said.

A Glock 17 Gen4 semi-automatic pistol and the target inside Eagle Gun & Shooting Range on Thursday in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

He said building such an establishment is a gamble.

"They're expensive to put in," Young said. "It's a big investment."

So far, his investment has paid off. Young said the range stays busy with a variety of customers, including women and foreign-exchange students.

After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., in December 2012, firearms and gun rights frequently were in the news.

Young believes many thought their gun rights were going to be taken away, so they purchased firearms.

Many working to obtain a concealed-carry permit through classes offered at the shooting range are women. Women are "really getting involved" in the industry, Young said, and some who visit the range know more about guns than he does.

Shell casings are scattered across the floor after a customer’s shooting practice at Eagle Gun & Shooting Range on Thursday in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

The new market is being catered to with pink firearms and Ladies Night events, the latter which is on the docket to be offered at the shooting range, Young said.

"It's going to be a pretty good business," he said.

Eagle Gun and Shooting Range has National Rifle Association-certified employees and safety officers on hand. The range offers rentals of handguns, shotguns and rifles for use at the range. Customers also may bring personal firearms and ammunition.

For more information, visit eaglegunusa.com.

ashedd@semissourian.com

388-3632

Pertinent address: 3138 Highway 177, Cape Girardeau, MO