Board reaffirms value of shooting complex beyond top competitions

Phil Velayo, of Cody, is a professional long range shooter and instructor. He knows the big competitions and how much success the Wyoming State Shooting Complex, of which he is a board member, will have in hosting such events. 

But he touched on something important at the last joint powers board meeting when he said that if the complex south of Cody focuses on big time competitions and competitors at the expense of others, the complex will be a failure. 

What was great to see, and what should make at least those concerned about whether the complex will be a positive for county locals feel better, is that all the other board members and the executive director were in full agreement. 

“I think we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot by not thinking about the average shooter who just wants to come and experience the Wyoming State Complex,” Velayo said. 

“You're 100% right,” CEO Patrick Giles responded. “I completely agree, and that's actually a really big part of our business model, and our projected revenue streams (plural) once we're open, are to have venues that are designed to be able to facilitate these events, but are also set up for the majority of the time for day shooters, whether that is members, people from the local community, or visitors.”

Board Chair Glenn Ross also noted the importance of having youth events such as 4-H shoots at the complex and took it further, saying the complex can have a role in keeping the tradition of shooting sports alive even as states like Colorado become more restrictive. 

“How do we get the next generation in … if we don't get youth, shame on us,” he said, adding, “That's what gets me excited, is how do we get this perpetuated, so we don't end up losing something we all value, like Colorado did.”

Yes, the big competitions are the headline grabbers, but hearing that discussion thanks to Velayo's words makes me feel better about the positive local role that this admittedly controversial complex can have. The board members have said they support this as not just the place for top competitors, but for locals, youth and tourists who get excited at the thought of hitting 1,000 yards. After all, Velayo said, it makes business sense to think more broadly, as large firearms manufacturers want to advertise to all, not just to top shooters who likely already know exactly what they want. 

And as Ross said, youth is a cornerstone of what the complex has been meant to be since it was first discussed in the state Legislature. Because this isn’t a normal shooting range, but the state’s shooting complex, and should be a venue for state youth shooting events, a way to further put on display just how much Wyoming values the Second Amendment. 

If this were just a complex for professional shooters, I certainly wouldn’t support it receiving public funds. It’s good to know the board members who are shaping it feel the same. 

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