Firing Range Opens to the Public at Local Law Enforcement Training Facility

Members of the public interested in practicing their shooting skills now have the option at the Law Enforcement Training Facility in Maple Grove.

The firing range, used primarily for law enforcement, will also be open to the public for rental from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.  

The facility is a team effort between the Maple Grove and Plymouth Police Departments. The city of Maple Grove owns the facility located at 11370 89th Avenue North and the two police departments share operational and maintenance costs.

Both cities have gone several years without a shooting range. The Maple Grove range was destroyed in a January 2011 fire, Plymouth had to close its range due to mechanical issues and water damage.

The approximately $2.2 million renovation completed in early 2013 has now made it possible for the public to use the shooting range as well.

“There was always a demand for public use,” Maple Grove Police Captain Keith Terlinden said, stating the former facility wasn’t conducive to being used as a public range due the layout and material used to trap ammunition.

The new facility requires less maintenance that in turn equals the opportunity for more shooters.

Safety

“We take safety seriously,” Terlinden said of the new facility, stating the goal when it was designed is to provide a safe shooting environment.

In addition to range safety rules, rental agreements and policies in place, several other safety elements are evident throughout the range.

During the public shooting times, a Range Safety Officers (RSO) are onsite at the range to ensure all range rules are being followed. New enhancements at the firing range include a ventilation system that allows smoke to move away from shooters quicker resulting in no “hanging cloud of smoke.” Updated materials and technology are used inside, such as laser monitor that alerts the RSO if shooters step outside the assigned area in their lane.

Rental Details

Adults 18 or older can rent a lane; a parent or guardian must accompany children 12-17, according to the Maple Grove Police Department. Ear and eye protection is required of each individual.  

As of April 2013, single-lane rates are $18 per individual for 45 minutes or $29 for two people for 60 minutes. Available is on a walk-in only basis, no reservations are accepted. Handguns and .22 rifles are the only firearms allowed to be used. Handgun rental and ammunition sales are not available. 

Individuals have the option to buy targets for a fee and self-adjust the shooting distance anywhere up to 40 yards.

For more information about public use at the firing range, including the safety rules and rental agreements, visit the city of Maple Grove website or call 763-494-6151.

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Related content

• (Maple Grove Patch)
• Law Enforcement Training Facility Public Shooting Information (City of Maple Grove)