-LG

Finally got my ass over to Woodland Park Range for the first time this weekend. Great experience! I had the pleasure of introducing an old friend of mine to firearms and the shooting sports there. Wise decision. I'm sure I'm not saying anything new here, but here's my experience/review: There's no better indoor range that I have been to (and I've been to my share around the country). First off, if you haven't been, this place is not simply a range! It's a world class training academy, shooting sport shop, radio broadcast studio, political headquarters, and learning center, with a 19 port range and a 100+ gun library to rent. And it feels like it! I did not feel like I was walking into a gun range, and it felt good. I thought I was back down at Rutgers or some shit. There's the cafe right when you walk in on the right, and then you meet two nice receptionists at the desks through the double doors on the left, who are pleasant and quick to get you going and set up on whatever business you are there to attend to. It was saturday afternoon, a little after one, so the joint was a bustlin'. People were coming and going. Some were there for the range, some for training, others for the radio broadcast, or to pick up political material. As I waited for my newbie, I was able to observe some of the Atienza Kali Protective Pen class right from the hall of the lobby. The facility's invitingness for interaction comes from its layout. Large windows, sliding glass doors, ease of accessibility to traning rooms and port areas made for a participatorial feel. Even though we were just there to shoot, we also had a chance to experience the training, radio, and political side of the academy. There are offices up front with doors open and personnel ready to assist you. An old family friend who works there came over to say hello, and when the owner saw me in the hall later he greeted me and we shook hands. That welcoming familial attitude that Anthony delivers, trickles down through his entire staff. To have a new apprehensive female shooter walk-in and experience all this, helped make what was conceptually for her to be a harrowing experience, that much easier. I feel like a lot of the first time shooter anxiety and nervousness was subdued by the environment here. After we filled out our paperwork for first-time visitors up front, we headed back to the 25 yard ports and the rental counter. I brought several guns of my own and rented a 22. The place was busy so they told me there was going to be a wait, which was fine by me, because I could use a snack. We went to the Rifle Camp Cafe up front, grabbed a couple of drinks, and before I even had the chance to order food, one of the ROs in the cafe called my name and said my port was ready. See, the enitre staff is wired like secret service and communicating from the front to the back, addressing customer needs. It was an impressive operation, especially for being in business for such a short time. When we got into the ports I was pleased to see an RO working there that I have participated in shooting competitions with, giving me that, "for us, by us" kind of feeling about the place Another RO introduced us to the operation of the digital port interface, which was extremely nice and simple to use. We had a couple shooters to our left who were shooting a high powered rifle that my guest was not ready for, so I asked the RO if we could move to another port, and he graciously obliged. Again, the radio earpiece communication was used to relay this change to the range desk and make the whole process seamless. The facility provides shooters with their own area for supplies behind the port which is clearly numbered and defined, so no confusion with other guests. I was easily able to fit my large range bag on a shelf, and there was plenty of other shelf space and cubbies to spare for jackets and other gear. The quality and size of the ports was impressive. I was able to stand in the port and assist my new shooter with ease. I didn't have any worries about the shooters next to me, as I have had at other establishments. Besides the sound, you wouldn't have known they were there when you are in the port shooting, that's how large the thick steel dividers are. We had an excellent hour of range time. My new shooter had a quality experience, is interested in the sport, wants to get her FIDC and get trained. Shit, after her experience there, and telling her about all the oppressive gun laws in NJ, we may have even convinced this social worker to vote for Lonegan next week! And at the end of the day, introducing folks to our world is what this is all about, right? And, there's no better place to do it than Woodland Park Range. If you haven't been, just go! Wishes for much success here. NJ needs this place!

Thanks for this! I was misinformed.

This is great information. Thanks guys! I didn't realize there was a non-resident AZ that would give me NV. I assume that includes Las Vegas, too, though I would be concerned about the policies of some of the casinos. I also didn't realize I could get NH and ME. I had heard I could get CT but would need special training similar to the requirement for UTAH CCW. I will look more into this. I travel quite a bit for work and would like to exercise my 2A right in as many places as possible.

Thanks! I've used their map before. Being from NJ makes it a little confusing since they ask you to pick your home state first, and then they ask you to select either resident or non-resident ccw. Like most, except the few privileged, I do not have a NJ CCW of any kind. When I select NJ as my home state I enter that I have a non-resident NJ permit because it forces you to pick one and then I pick FL and VA non-resident. I also tried it without selecting NJ and just selected Non-resident Virginia and Non-resident Florida. In both scenarios, when I add Utah it appears that I only gain Minnesota, so I believe that is the answer to my question. Let me know if I'm missing anything.

I am a NJ resident who is the holder of a non-resident Florida CCW permit and a non-resident Virginia CCW permit. Will a Utah non-resident permit get me any additional states? Couldn't find this specific question answered in the forums. Please point me to the right link if I missed it. Thanks!

Did you see the look on Maurice DuBois' face after the segment? He was visibly perturbed by the fact they ran a semi-pro gun segment. I wonder which production manager was responsible for getting a piece like this run on a liberal based news platform? Great to see our guys Scott and Ant getting network time. Was loving the stat that 47% of Americans are gun owners and that it is rising and has risen so dramatically from 2005. Gun owners will be the majority at this rate!

I listened to the proceedings, read a portion of the bill,and also through this thread. Can't seem to find the answer to the question several others asked. Will current holders of FIDCs also have to apply for these new digital handgun permits? Anyone out there come across verbiage to that point in the bill? I'm not surprised if it's not addressed. You would think it common sense to grandfather FIDC holders in, but common sense has nothing to do with law making.

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!

Great forum. Found the the site looking for more information on SCFGPA and came across this thread. I live in Morris County and my office was recently relocated to Green Brook. I'd be interested in a group meet and would also like to join the club. I fulfill the requirements, but I do not know any club members. I see you guys mention that they are not responsive to emails so I was preparing to snail mail them my info. Do I need to send the club recommendation letters and copies of my IDs on the initial correspondence or can I deliver in person? Any more info you all can provide would be great, and if there is still interest in a group meet, I am available after 5pm weekdays and on weekends. Looking at their online calendar it appears that the first Thursday of the month is Ladies Night, but every other Thursday is open. http://www.my.calendars.net/scfgpa