The Vancouver Gun Range is holding a special event this weekend that’s now caught up in controversy because of the shootings in Moncton and Seattle.
This Sunday is “Glock Day,” a day when you can test out some new firearms, as well as buy them. This weekend’s event will be the first-ever Glock Day in B.C., and partial proceeds from the event will go to the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.
The Glock is a pistol that is commonly used by law enforcement. They are carried by the Transit Police in the Lower Mainland, while the RCMP use a Smith & Wesson pistol, also used by the NYPD and the LAPD.
Vancouver Gun Range says a representative from Glock, the company that makes the firearm, will be on-site this weekend, demonstrating their latest pistols.
Participants can enter to win a Glock pistol, and the $20 entry fee includes entrance to the gun range and one mag of ammunition. No gun license is required, only government-issued photo ID.
The Vancouver Gun Range, operated by DVC Ventures, said in a statement to Global News that Glock Day isn’t just for gun enthusiasts.
“It’s the perfect time to introduce yourself to the sport of target shooting,” reads the statement.
“Our friendly and professional range officers maintain a safe, fun and educational range experience for everyone. DVC doubles as a practice facility for Military personnel, armored car services and many branches of law enforcement. We invite everyone to come and try. Whether you are an experienced member of the gun community, or have never been to a range before, we hope to see you here.”
DVC shooting centre manager Wesley Yen says staff are mindful of the tragedy in Moncton, but everything at the range is done in a safe environment.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and the families of the victims, but here at DVC we invite anyone to come on down and try it out, in a safe and friendly environment, it will be moderated and supervised by range officers, and everything is done in a safe environment here. We encourage everyone to come and try it out.”
The DVC Ventures/Vancouver Gun Range website features photos of teenage boys from Canuck Place, brought to the facility by their Recreation Therapist, Gillian Lagambina of Canuck Place, to shoot firearms at the range.
Lagambina’s testimonial reads in part “I heard comments ‘Man, I’m coming back to this place!’, ‘This was the best outing EVER!’ ‘The non-verbal body language as they walked out from the range said it all!'”
For that visit, the gun range made a $500 donation to Canuck Place.
— with files from Ted Chernecki
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