By Brad Spencer
The Parsons Advocate
DAVIS — As the State draws closer to its highly anticipated “buck season,” hunting and gun enthusiasts alike now have a public place in Tucker County to sight in their rifles and hone their shooting skills.
TC’s Shooting Range, owned and operated by Titus Helmick, became fully operational last month. Located only three miles from Davis just off the newly opened stretch of Corridor H, the range offers four pistol pits with seven lanes for shooting, in addition to a rifle range that can accommodate up to six shooters.
“Our range is more than just a field,” Helmick said. “It has an individual rifle range and four individual handgun ranges,” with everything being up to NRA specifications. The long-gun range will test the skills of individuals by having permanent target settings at 50, 100 and 200 yards to be used with paper targets.
But for those who focus more on hand guns, the pistol pits are equipped with steel targets positioned at set distances of 15 and 25 yards; with one area designated for paper targets.
This is not the first business Helmick has started in Tucker County – turning a passion of firearms into a career. On July 4, 2014, he opened the doors of TC’s Gun Shop located in Canaan Valley. With two operations in his home county, Helmick is excited he could bring a shooting range closer to home.
“Ever since we opened the shop we have had people asking if there is a shooting range in the area,” Helmick said. “We were blessed enough to be able to open a shooting range accessible to the public.”
With no other public ranges located in the nearby area, residents and tourists of Tucker County can enjoy a day of target shooting.
“It gives local people and visitors to the area a safe place to practice and enjoy using their firearms,” Helmick added.
The range, which is open during day light hours, offers daily and annual passes. The passes, which must be purchased at the gun shop located just off Cortland Road down Buckhorn Lane, vary in price. Day passes cost $20 per person for one day of unlimited shooting on either pistol or rifle ranges. Yearly passes begin at $125 and run from October to October. A spouse can be added for only $50 and for those wishing to make this a family endeavor, children can be added for an additional $25.
“The way the annual prices go, a family of four can have a year membership for $225,” Helmick said. And with an annual membership, shooters can have access to the range any day … not merely when the gun shop is operating.
With Second Amendment rights and privileges being a high priority for many West Virginians, Helmick sees his business providing an outlet for people wishing to get better familiarized with their firearms.
“We support the Second Amendment in all its forms – as a hobby, hunting and self-defense,” Helmick said. “Our hope is that TC’s Gun Shop and Shooting Range gives people in our area a good option to practice their Second Amendment rights.”
