A new shooting range has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Located on Level 2 at the Dining Terrace, Aim Point allows players to shoot at knock-down targets with guns that resemble assault weapons. This looks like a fun addition to the entertainment options at the mall, just in time for holiday shopping. It's also much more affordable than the flight simulator that just opened upstairs. As the range's motto exhorts, "Never give up!"
I understand it's arcade-like, playing into fairground games, video games, affordable activity and probably overall a good thing. I love arcades.
ReplyDeleteBut am I alone in finding it a bit unsettling, to have people wielding something resembling an assault rifle in the mall?
OMG...you're so fragile. Get a grip.
DeleteI can see people wanting to blow off steam while holiday shopping with this. Great addition!
ReplyDeleteGood boy Skippy. Want a sticker and a gold star?
DeleteGot to agree with Anna on this one.
ReplyDeleteYes, if you look closely at the photos you can see the muzzle has an orange tip, but how many people, in the heat of the moment, would notice that or recognize that it means the gun's not "real"?
Hope the chains that can be seen securing those fakes are tight and strong, and that no one decides to test them as a "practical joke."
It's also very unsettling to think that if someone walked near that part of the mall with a real assault rifle, some people might just assume it was a part of, or publicity for, that exhibit.
Wow, really. Most real Americans grew up with toy guns and played army. Are you going to run away when your child says bang with his/her finger gun?
DeleteThere are two types of people in this world. Those that run from danger for self preservation and those that run toward danger because they know others will be in need.
DeleteDon't depend on other people to provide safety in your world. Learn how to take care of yourself and your family. Avoid dangerous situations and be alert.
The Practical Joke you are describing is illegal. It is like walking into a crowded building and yelling "This place is on fire"!
We must protect ourselves from the stupid and evil people in world we must be prepared to act and educated about our choices.
When it comes to dealing with others....
I am not sure truly evil people have a choice. I believe they are mentally damaged. So my advice to everyone is. Don't be stupid.
This must be the dumbest idea ever. Fake assault rifles in a shopping mall. Almost as bad as a mall with a genuine flight simulator for highjacker training. What could possibly go wrong...
ReplyDeleteI think it’s great and can’t wait to go!
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to it
DeleteAssault weapons in MoCo? Awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhen did this country become filled with a bunch of whinny little babies? OMG, fake guns. We’re gonna die. The US has never been so ripe for the picking. Come on China, let’s get it over with. No one will fight back I promise.
ReplyDeleteHoping to rent one with bump stocks
ReplyDeleteNot sure why people are getting upset.
ReplyDeleteCriminals have been carrying real guns in public places for years because guess why....
CRIMINALS DON'T FOLLOW THE LAW.
How true. Welcome to the revolution!
DeleteThere are airsoft guns. You can buy these toys on a lot of different retailers. Some comments are so close minded.
ReplyDeleteAs the civil divide grows it's prudent to be prepared
ReplyDeleteForty years ago this concept would be novel, acceptable, and even trendy. Forty years ago you didn't have to fear the gun toting individual who would show up at a mall on an average day. Walk into any public setting carrying a rifle of any kind, and see what your reception will be. PANIC! This is what will occur on the face of many who you come across, and in most instances you will be met by law enforcement, and probably, likely face arrest.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of even considering hosting this concept in today's environment should is chilling. Westfield management should be slammed for hosting such entertainment, and resulting to desperate measures for revenue. I would hope the wisdom savvy of the customer-base of Westfield Montgomery sends a clear message to this management group, that this form of retail is unacceptable.
Dangerous. If you agree, don't shop at Montgomery Mall anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great country! You have an idea, no matter how farfetched, put a plan together, borrow some money and that's it....you're in business. I honestly would have never thought of this one in a million years. Cant wait to try it!
ReplyDelete50 years ago it would of been actual 22 shorts in a tube fed semi-auto rifle shooting moving ducks and bells. Bring that back.
ReplyDeleteAnna, yes you are alone.
ReplyDeleteHere we go, cue up all the crazies lol before all the crazies get on here remember we grew up with these at the local carnival, etc.
ReplyDeleteAnna ain't crazy at all. A 'toy gun'? This is a completely accurate, operational (electronic) replica of the same weapons that slaughtered 59 people at the Las Vegas country music concert. That killed a dozen people at a movie theater in Colorado. This weapon is an insult to every serious hunter and sportsman who knows that it has no application for hunting at all. What is the sole purpose of the weapon this 'toy' resembles?
ReplyDeleteHave any of you actually seen it? The inside decor shows closeups of soldiers holding real guns... It just doesn’t belong in Montgomery Mall, or any mall. Maybe back in the day when mass shootings weren’t happeningw in schools, movie theaters, churches, synagogues, nightclubs, music festivals, etc. When I walked past this afternoon, it was empty. We can only hope it goes away soon.
ReplyDeleteMaryland's gun laws are very strict, and still, Maryland has twice the murder rate of next-door Virginia.
ReplyDeleteVirginia is the 4th lowest in violent crime in the US -- the 3 less violent are Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire -- all states with very permissive gun laws.
Virginia has no (current) restrictions on firearms (like "assault weapons") and still has lower violence, murder, gun crime etc than Maryland.
Maybe it's not the laws. Maybe it's the people. Why are people in Maryland more violent?
AP: Virginia Ranks Among Lowest in Violent Crime
https://apnews.com/4b62ec4728454e0186dc5139937f5dd9
Maryland is the 11th most violent state in the country.
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-most-dangerous-states-in-the-u-s.html
Isn't it amazing?
ReplyDeleteVirginia is awash in guns. The state has the 5th highest number of people who own legal machine guns. And yet, it is one of the safest states in the country, hands down.
Meanwhile, people in Maryland piss themselves if they see a TOY gun. And Maryland has twice the murder rate, and nearly twice the violent crime rate, and far stricter gun laws that Virginia -- all the things that anti gun people what: registration, capacity limits, rifle bans, etc.
And still, Maryland is worse than Virginia in every way.
You'd think people would make the connection, but no -- they wet their diaper if they see a TOY gun shooting range.
Wow.
Hahaha so true...
ReplyDelete