Gun class, sniper range touted to boost center

By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
April 7, 2004
Homeland Security Director H.C. "Bunky" Partridge hopes a new 1,000-yard sniper range and new civilian handgun class will help boost the marketability of the city's training center on Sandflat Road.
The city regained control of the center late last year and has since been trying to increase its usage. The center currently includes classrooms, a firing range, vehicle track, railroad tracks and train cars, and other training features.
The sniper range is expected to be completed later this month; the two-day civilian handgun class will begin April 24.
The new sniper range, which will include a 1,000-yard fenced-in area with bullet-proof protective backstops, will be located near the training center and U.S. 45.
U.S. Marines are already scheduled to use the range at the end of May for a five-day, 16-hour-a-day scout sniper school.
DeBord said he will cover the basics of handgun use in this month's two-day class. He said some of the work will be done in the classroom and that the students will also fire about 400 rounds of ammunition on the shooting range.
The class will cost $25 and up to 12 people will be able to attend the class.