FYI Centre region folks

[Fortytwo]

Whats Virtual Range?

The business is featured in the current issue of Centre County Gazette. Sounds pretty interesting....

http://www.statecollege.com/news/com...range,1458380/


JULIAN — With the rash of school and workplace shootings and home break-ins flooding the news media in recent times, it came as no surprise to Dave Hockenberry of Julian that many folks would like to learn to use firearms for home defense and protection. In response to that need, Hockenberry has opened KMA Home Defense and Firearms, LLC, located at 5960 S. Eagle Valley Road west of Julian.

As a retired 25-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police Force, Hockenberry knows how to properly and safely use and care for all types of firearms. He is a certified NRA pistol instructor, and has recently installed a virtual firing range in his facility in Julian.

The virtual range uses actual Glock pistols modified to shoot laser beams instead of bullets at targets which appear on a large projection screen in the front of the room. When fired, the pistols produce computer generated sounds of the shot, as well as a realistic recoil produced by the release of a blast of compressed air from capsules which replace the ammunition clips in the guns. The result is a totally realistic shooting experience. Hockenberry said there are about 20 different marksmanship ranges that can be used in the system. The software records target hits and misses and shows the customer where his shots have landed.

Additionally, the system can play interactive videos of real-life scenarios involving shooters in public buildings, home break-ins and many other situations.

“There are about 350 scenarios available, and I can change any of them,” said Hockenberry.

In one scenario, for example, the user enters a public building and hears gunshots and screams. Police sirens wail in the background, and the user must decide whether to pursue the shooter or step aside and wait for the police to arrive. If the user decides to pursue the shooter, the video simulates walking slowly down a door-lined hallway, and at one point the shooter jumps out of a doorway and begins shooting at the user. “It’s a judgment scenario. You know the police are coming and if you are a non-uniformed civilian, the police might see you with a gun and think you are the perpetrator,” said Hockenberry. He noted the software’s realism. “If you shoot the perpetrator, he will fall, said Hockenberry.”

In another situation, the user hears a noise in his garage, and opens a door to investigate. He finds a man rifling through his car. The man steps out with his hands in the air, then runs away. The incident seems to be over, but suddenly a second man rises from behind the car and shoots at the user. “I can leave out the second man or have the first man be armed if I want,” said Hockenberry.

The computer software is called Fire Arms Training Simulator (FATS), and is used by police and the military for weapons training. Hockenberry’s version has been modified to be more oriented towards home defense and civilian situations.

Hockenberry cites several advantages to the virtual range over an actual firing range. The primary advantage is safety, since no live ammo is used. Another advantage is that the virtual range is indoors in a climate controlled room, and not dependent on the weather, thus allowing year-round use. “If you go to a public range, it’s crowded, and you have no control over who else is there,” said Hockenberry. He also noted that beginners are often intimidated by “expert” shooters who might look down on beginners.

“If you come in here, there’s no judgment,” he said.

Future plans for the business include offering classes for those who have never used guns before.

“It’s surprising how many people come in here and want to buy guns and they have never shot any guns before and don’t know how to safely handle them,” said Hockenberry. “Some states require these classes, but Pennsylvania does not.”

Hockenberry’s business is also a full-service gun shop, offering rifles, shotguns, pistols and ammunition for sale, as well as emergency preparedness items such as foods, storage containers, water purification systems, gas masks, etc. For more information call 814-692-7233.

[Kaliman]

Ron, excellent news.