A.J. Holst

Happy Sunday! May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you!! This is a wonderful statement from a man who experienced loss through the violence of murder: Thompson continued, saying God "freed me, He freed my heart, He freed my soul and body of the burden of bitterness, rage, anger, and malice. He healed me from the inside out, and I’m here to tell you that He took away all my burdens and gave me peace, peace you can have tonight." and his story https://pjmedia.com/faith/echoing-jesus-this-black-pastor-forgave-the-white-supremacist-who-murdered-his-wife/

ChancesR said he's had students barely pass the class. I know him, he can shoot and I am confident he can teach a new gun owner basic marksmanship. Just like your driver's license, you didn't get better or magically become a good driver...or plumber, tileman, electrician, doctor, lawyer, teacher or preacher. It took practice, time, and experience. Whether you get the video version or shooting version of the HCP, is continuing education, even if occasional static range practice and YouTube videos with dry manipulations a wise choice? Advanced training runs from $100 -. $200 for a one day class with a professional instructor and a two day is $300 - $400. What are you willing and able to sacrifice to invest in yourself?

I believe most of the less conservative millennials on the forum worked, saved, sacrificed, or have minimal student loans. Aside from auto enrollment and what it looks like in 14 years (my case) and 34 for Erik, the real concern should be cost and who pays. Supposedly, universal healthcare in the US would run about 16% of GDP. In countries with socialized medicine, its about 9%. This info is from an NPR report a few years back. Not a true comparison. Reduce the profit margins for pharma, health care and providers, pay no attention to the impact on the economy, quality of service, or innovation in medicine, and we are go to go.

Seems more folks are serious about buying guns, accessories, and ammo than actually shooting.

Tom is still active, but exited the range business. Think he relocated to Florida.

Checked out your website, very innovative!

Unfortunately Erik, there are more of "them" than there are of you. The great news is you, BTR, and my son are superstars amongst your peer group. Regarding the health care topic, .gov doesn't really do a good job managing much of anything, .gov programs always cost more than estimated, and it adds lifetime and legacy benefits to .gov payroll (which was one of the causes for the GM bankruptcy) Regarding Medicare, you are automatically enrolled upon your retirement date. I personally paid an assload of income tax alone last year and didn't reach the $250k millionaire threshold, so not particularly interested in paying more.

Marketing - if you can't see it, you can't sell it. An acquaintance has a range and teaches HCP classes. His marketing is advertising by word of mouth and a website. AKVAT brings up a great point with marketing - a consistent messaging, both free and pay as you go. We learn about new companies and services available on the web typically through traditional media - television, print, and radio. Add soical media outlets and good key words for search engine optimization (SEO) and off to the races.

I believe both Erik88 and BTR posted of good college experience personally and what they observed. Perhaps the right wing media is picking a small percentage of academia to promote an agenda? I source my news from right and left to make an informed decision. I rarely ingest my news from television.

About 100,000,000 millennials and Gen y can vote in 2020. To fight their social justice battles, they are giving their power to .gov to fight What they don't realize is their elected servants of a strong central .gov are corruptible or already corrupted. What may actually save us: apparently Gen Y has little trust in the media, big business or government.

If a prime location in Sevierville, I understand a min profit per square foot. Without proper capitalization and patience to outsell your inventory depreciation, I don't know how to do it. 1 million for a desirable indoor range, another 500k or so for inventory and operating cash. Balance staffing expenses (payroll, withholdings and admin) Monthly property expenses if you own or lease is probably a few thousand per month. I'd want another 500k of idle / accessible cash to be comfortable. Dare I say, location, location, location? My preferred LGS is Smoky Mountain, indoor range is Bud's. 25 minutes from the house, but not particularly convenient . My meaning is it's a dedicated trip - no other reason to drive that way off hours and I don't pop in when working in the area because I'm working.

You have to have great staff and a commitment to excellent service to overcome price, especially in this industry. What are you doing to encourage buyers to pay $1 -$4 more per box of ammo? Are buyer's willing to pay pay more for your gun when your staff actually took the time to discover needs, wants, and desires? When someone buys a gun, does your staff take time to upsell? Gun cleaning, holster, sling, magazines, optic, etc. (Give a discount on a accessories when buying a new firearm - see how your items per ticket increase) Consult your crystal ball when stocking guns and inventory.

In 2007, Venezuela completed the purchase of 100,000 AKs for 34,000 soldiers and 23,000 national guard. They then ordered 5000 sniper rifles. NYT story https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/16/world/europe/15cnd-russia.html And here is a view of today https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2019/05/msnbc_contributor_admit_a_hard_truth_that_in_venezuela_arms_ownership_matters.html When progs, libs, and Dems scream about Tyrant Trump and dictatorship, my response is: "Shouldn't you be armed? We have the 2A to protect ourselves from oppressive government."

Obey all traffic laws and LE has no probable cause to stop you. Don't be driving in stupid places, at stupid times, with stupid people...again don't stupidly give probable cause or attract the attention of LE

If you on the fence about attending, what I can promise you: You don't need high speed, low drag gear or a fancy long gun. You will participate in skill building drills not available at most ranges or with many instructors. You can assess your individual skill level in a judgement free zone. It will be fun!

I saw this guy at WalMart. Confusing as he was carrying a man purse and buying beard conditioner and not interested in the guns and ammo section.

Having a handgun for self defense is a great idea, however a house is not a car. Accessing a handgun from a center console, under the seat, or from the glove box is very different from a traditional nightstand set up. Caught at the range without ears? How loud will it be in a car? If you have an HCP, how will you access your holster or pocket while belted in? If you're a lefty like me, you have even more challenges. A little off topic, but stuff to think about.

The quote about the heavy handed fund raising is real.

Prepare to rebel boarders!

There is are a few great Sears catalog adverts for surplus out there

I'm curious and like the bronze two tone. Willing to wait for a few production runs to get the cerakote and any early mechanicals dialed in.

All I can say is it is disappointing. The finish on my CZs is inconsistent. I've dropped my 75B on gravel, marred the finish but not to bare metal. My SDP has chips from handling and holster wear on the rail. Jury is still out on the RAMI P. Since they are regular use carry guns, I'm less than concerned, but it still sucks.

I am getting ready! From carbine class, I thought I would get a dump pouch for mag retention; figured out a system with pockets. Once again going for the practical / tactical approach. I think minimalist is also entering my world. Bringing the AR type since we're shooting 50 - 150. The only upgrades to my SW MP from stock are a Magpul grip and Burris FF3 I always bring a backup something, hence my tacti-cool carbine. My most comfortable range with skill, iron sights, and .30cal carbine is 50 yards, a good shooter could push 100, much like .357 / .44...we'll see how it keeps up. I'll bring plenty of ammo if anyone wants to shoot it. Leaving the 9mm Stormtrooper blaster at home, if this was a 2 day class, I would bring it on Sunday for Revenge of the Fifth.

Placed an order for the Fiocchi, 124gr Blazer, and some 55gr Lake City / Hornady "match" SGAMMO had the deals yesterday. Thanks for all the help!

Today we are freed from the earthly punishment for sin, the gates of Heaven are open, and death has been defeated! Come meet us, this motley crew of misfits, liars, and thieves