Posted on 10/04/2007 7:35:33 PM PDT by neverdem
Opinions of presidential hopeful Rudolph Giuliani vary at Chelsea's West Side Rifle and Pistol Range: The staff and customers describe the former mayor's gun control journey as everything from "opportunistic" to "realistic."
Located in a concrete-walled basement on West 20th Street, the lively Manhattan oasis of gun culture welcomes customers with a doormat reading "Safety Starts Here" and a wall of press clippings. Once inside, they can take a training course or fire a .22-caliber rifle at one of 14 shooting lanes. The range, which doubles as a gun retailer, has been open for more than 35 years. Owner Bob Derrig, 67, says about a third of his clientele is law enforcement professionals and that the remainder is a diverse mix.
Mr. Derrig, a registered Republican who describes himself as a hard-line conservative, is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and suspicious of Mr. Giuliani's evolution on gun control.
"He's just another politician jumping on the bandwagon, trying to quiet down the NRA before the election," Mr. Derrig said. "They have no morals as long as they get someone to vote for them. It's just disgusting."
Speaking to the NRA last month, Mr. Giuliani said he now opposed new restrictions on guns, seeing the right to bear arms as "just as important a part of the Constitution as the right to free speech." Distancing himself from some of his most prominent policies as mayor, Mr. Giuliani said an ongoing lawsuit the city brought against gun manufacturers in 2000 "has taken several turns and several twists that I don't agree with."
The speech provoked the ire of Mayor Bloomberg, who said the suit "has not changed at all." Mr. Bloomberg is also lobbying against the Tiahrt Amendments, a series of federal laws that restricts local access to federal gun...
(Excerpt) Read more at nysun.com ...
At least you know how Bloomberg really feels.
...
The former mayor did have some fans among the range's customers, who made conversation over the booming gunfire in the next room
"Booming" .22 caliber! LOL!
The booming is from handguns that are not twenty two.
The article made it sound like that was all you could shoot there.
And during that speech he quoted from the 4th amendment, not the 2nd, and was interrupted during the gaffe by a cell call from his “wife”. Saved the day but we should not forget that.
Anyone who meets him on the campaign trail should invite him to a CMP match and hand him a black rifle to use. While tape is rolling.
“they can take a training course or fire a .22-caliber rifle “
Let’s hope that some training happens before the noob heads to the range with a .22.
Well golly gee, if some guys down at the rage like Mr. Rudy, then there is no way he could be a gun grabbing pinko. =D
If Rudy gets the nomination, the Dems, Gays, Transvestites, 2nd Amendment Haters and baby killers are going to go crazy trying to decide which Liberal for whom to vote; Rudy or Hillary.
Thanks for the ping!
I think I might visit that guy’s establishment.
Never, would you have to be a resident of NY just to go in and shoot for a little while? I know you have to be a resident of the state you’re purchasing a firearm in.
and just imagine if bloomy joins as IND.
subway series from hell.
Yes, actually I have as I am a range officer at my gun club and quite knowledgeable on firearms. Which is why I made the comment. Any reasonable person with firearms knowledge would assume that when it is stated as ".22 caliber rifle" that the person was referring to a .22LR round.
oh.. i remember you.. :)
did you ever get a chance to try out the long range wheel gunnin’ with your .45?
I’m shooting about 3 inch groups at 25 yards and I keep inside the 8 inch black at 50. Still working on it. :)
“Never, would you have to be a resident of NY just to go in and shoot for a little while?”
I don’t think so, but I can’t tell you about now. It’s been a while since I went there. IIRC, I was able to go there when I was a teenage minor about four decades ago, but I had to just about beg my mother and older sister into going there. My sister drove. We lived in Inwood, the northernmost neighborhood in Manhattan, about 10 miles away.
Two of my closest friends were members there. One still is, and he offered an invitation for a future Friday night. I wondered if he would be quoted for the story. He wasn’t.
The internet says you can call them at (212) 929-7287.
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