“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
This is the first thing visitors see when they enter Hot Shots Shooting Center, Ohio’s only dry-fire simulation range.
The center first got its start on a cold December day described by co-founder Terri Wood.
“I wanted to go shoot at an indoor live range for therapy,” Wood said.
She got up on a Saturday morning in December to go to her shooting appointment in North Canton; however, she was met with a blizzard outside and was unable to drive to her appointment.
Thus, she “sat down in the chair with another cup of coffee to pout and said, ‘I wish we had somewhere around this area that we could train and practice.’”
The rest is history.
The center has been open for around two years and has been home to Ashland residents who need a shooting range and proper educational resources for firearms.
“A lot of people are carrying under Ohio’s constitutional carry without a permit,” Wood explained. “And a lot of people are doing so without having the muscle memory and the proper training to make sure that they are safe, and that anybody else that’s an innocent bystander would also be safe.”
The center’s mission is to empower those who want to provide self-defense by carrying weapons such as firearms, but also tasers and spray.
Since the center has been opened, they’ve also found themselves supporting local law enforcement in their efforts to develop their skills.
Further, the company has also made it a point to help empower the women of Ashland. The center is partnered with the Armed Women of America; they’re among other chapters across the country that welcome a non-intimidating place for women to learn about safe and responsible use for firearms through, but not limited to, safety, personal protection, concealed carry and mindset.
The center also is a drop-off center for clothing donations that goes towards Safe Havenm: Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence center, that supports those that are being abused. Individuals can drop off clothing donations to Hot Shots.
Additionally, the range also accommodates the Ashland University Second Amendment & Marksmanship Club (2A).
The club is currently being advised by Ben Kunkel, Director of Student Programs at Ashbrook Center. As well as being under the Presidency of junior Reed Poewell. Both Kunkel and Powell agree on the club’s purpose to the student body.
“[Hot Shots] going to help mainly with gun training so you can learn how to handle firearms,” Powell explained. “You don’t have the dangers of live ammunition.”
“It’s not quite the same as like laser tag, a little more technologically advanced than that,” Kunkel explained. “But it’s like virtual shooting sort of thing.”
To get more involved with the club students can visit their page on ashland.campuslabs.com.
The services Hot Shots offers allow clubs and people, such as the Ashland 2A club, to advance their firearm skills. The center offers a wide range of classes and training programs, such as but not limited to the following: youth training, lethal/non-lethal unarmed self-defense, home defense and church security training.
They also offer recreational services such as birthday parties, wedding receptions or just a place to hang out. Wood encourages the Ashland community, and especially students, to make their center their home-away-from-home.
For more information visit hotshotsshootingcenter.com or stop by 2112 Baney Rd. Ashland, OH 44805.
