CNMI Range Master Ambrosio Ogumoro said the shooting galleries have passed inspection and have been certified for meeting the safety requirements.
Ogumoro said Bing Bing Bang in Garapan and the Kannat Tabla shooting gallery are now open to accommodate registered gun owners for recreational shooting.
“The certification of these shooting galleries will allow the civilian gun holders to enjoy a safe, secure and regulated shooting environment,” Ogumoro said.
He added that the shooting galleries can only allow persons who are 18 years of age or older to enter the gallery premises.
All persons must furnish a valid driver’s license or other identification that indicates their age before entering the shooting gallery.
Customers may use their own personal firearms or they can use the firearms provided by the shooting gallery.
“Customers using their own firearms must present their registered firearms permit to the shooting gallery range safety officer,” Ogumoro said.
The following are the types of firearms authorized to be used in the shooting gallery as mandated by the Shooting Gallery Act, or Public Law 11-30: .22 caliber series long & short, .22 magnum, .22 hornet, .223 regular but not tracer rounds, .22-220 swift, .22-250, 5.7mm, .218 Bee, and 410 shotgun.
Public Law 8-5 prohibits the use of handguns/pistols in the shooting gallery.
“As the CNMI range master, I would like to emphasize that it is critical that we are responsible on how we safely handle our firearms in the field, vehicle or home. An attitude of respect and seriousness should always be encouraged and maintained when dealing with guns.” Ogumoro said.
After his re-instatement as CNMI range master on Oct. 6, 2008, Ogumoro ordered a 30-day closure of the firearm training facility in Marpi to implement necessary improvements and address deficiencies that needed to be done to meet safety standards.
He said inspecting the two private shooting galleries was one of his immediate projects.
