Harlan Kirgan
A firing range at a St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s training facility in Opelousas will have eventually be open for public use free of charge, Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said at a Parish Council meeting Wednesday.
Guidroz also said the facility on La. 749 near the St. Landry Parish Airport will be open to other law enforcement agencies to use as a training site.
“The firing range is important to our training to make sure we do the right thing the right way every time,” he said.
“It is going to be one of the finest ranges in Acadiana — south Louisiana for sure,” he said.
Guidroz said public use of the firing range may occur as early as within 120 days.
The primary purpose of the facility is train law enforcement officers, he said.
Guidroz said the range will always be staffed.
The sheriff also took the opportunity to urge people to learn how to defend themselves.
“We live in a dangerous world today. We live in a dangerous society today. Terrorists are not just across the big pond. They are right here in your neighborhoods,” he said.
“I’ve been in law enforcement 45 years. I’m 63 years old. I’ve been doing this since I’m 18 years old. I can tell you we need to tell you how to protect yourself,” he said.
“I go to church with a gun in my pocket,” he said.
Training for the public will be offered at the facility, he said.