Virginia Range Demand and Placement

These state-specific reports are designed to help state agencies determine potential locations for future target shooting ranges in their states. • Specifically, this study explored existing shooting range locations and the types of opportunities they offer, current target shooting demand in Virginia, and where demand is least served. [...] The results will help Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources identify where the greatest needs are for additional shooting ranges. • Understanding where demand is greatest, where current shooting range opportunities exist, and where potential new participants live are all factors that can inform shooting range development and placement to support the greatest number of people. [...] • ESRI's Market Potential data is best used to identify where specific types of consumers are clustered and not to quantify the actual number of consumers. • Together, these data help to identify areas where shooting range demand may exceed opportunity. [...] Block groups are smaller divisions than zip codes and allow us more granularity in looking at data, especially for urban areas. 9southwickassociates.com Distribution of target shooters with range overlay Though a greater proportion of rural residents participate in target shooting, urban and suburban areas have a greater number of adults who participate due to greater population dens [...] Open spaces to safely shoot are much more available to target shooters in rural areas. 10southwickassociates.com Distribution of archery shooters with range overlay The geographic distribution of archery shooters is largely similar to that of firearm target shooters. Please note the participation results, archery & firearm, only show areas where current target shooters live. [...] There may be many more interested in participating who do not due to a lack of convenient shooting, crowding, and/or poor experiences. 11Participation and population in Virginia’s urban areas Virginia’s metro areas, especially northern Virginia, typically have the greatest need for additional ranges, as the existing ranges are serving up to twice the number of target shooters than others [...] Currently, demand is high in these areas and will likely continue to rise as populations increase. Though the availability of land is a limiting factor and major cost driver, these areas have the greatest need for range development and/or expansion. [...] Essex/Richmond Counties area Southern Lynchburg area Southern Richmond area 13 Virginia could consider growing the number of public ranges offering opportunities to target shoot with most weapon types in the priority areas. These priority areas are not presented in any specific order. [...] A need also exists to ensure current and potential new target shooters are aware of any new opportunities and that any new ranges offer the types of shooting they want in a safe, welcoming environment. [...] There may be many more people interested in participating who do not due to a lack of convenient shooting locations, crowds, and/or poor experiences. Also, these results do not explain the capacity or quality of existing ranges and the shooting experiences and offerings desired most by current and would-be target shooters. 14For more information, contact Rob Southwick: Rob@SouthwickAssociates