Non-toxic range opens in QC

MANILA, Philippines –  Ever gone to a shooting range and left the place smelling like gunpowder?

Well, that’s already a thing of the past with the Stronghand Shooting Range, a newly built and newly opened haven for practical shooters and gun enthusiasts.

The non-toxic shooting range, located at 1660 E. Rodriguez Ave. in Quezon City, is the first of its kind not only in the Philippines but in Asia, according to owner Ketie Co Cedenio.

“It’s a must for shooters to try our range,” said Cedenio during yesterday’s grand opening that was graced by Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and The STAR Editor-in-Chief Isaac Belmonte.

The range only uses smokeless gunpowder, and non-toxic primers for the bullets. Non-toxic bullets are not available elsewhere in the country, the owners said.

There’s no airborne lead, no sulphur dioxide, no barium oxide and no antimony oxide in this range.

“Anybody with the money can put up a shooting range, but they can never claim that it’s toxic free,” said Cedenio.

“In our range, you can shoot wearing your barong and date your wife afterwards with no smell of gunpowder,” he added.

Cedenio said without them knowing, shooting aficionados get to inhale all the toxic that comes out with every round fired.

“It goes straight to your lungs. That’s why some shooters have tried wearing masks. In our range, that won’t be a concern. It’s safe and healthy,” he added.

There’s very little difference in the price of non-toxic bullets than the ones being used elsewhere. A non-toxic caliber.45 bullet, which you should purchase at Stronghand, only costs P11.50 per.

Inside the building or the range itself, it’s like you in a lobby of a boutique hotel.

It has a very powerful ventilation system with multiple filters, with 18 bays 20 meters down-range, fully automated target systems and efficient range officers.

“Our air here is even cleaner that the hospitals around us,” said Cedenio.

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista dropped by as well, but had to leave early, even before the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, due to a previous commitment.

He was given a tour of the place, and was impressed with what he saw.

“I’m glad you chose Quezon City as your venue,” he told the owners.

Facing the display shelves, the mayor took particular notice of the Tomcat Berretta, a .22 cal semi-automatic handgun no longer than five inches, no heavier than 14 ounces.

It sells for P38,000.