Machine Gun America officially opened its doors to the public Saturday, Dec. 20 in Osceola County. The new attraction that will allow anyone over the age of 13 in the Central Florida area to shoot an automatic or semiautomatic gun.
Bruce Nierenberg, the general manager of the attraction, said he thinks there is a market for the gun-firing experience for locals and tourists visiting the area.
"Orlando has always been thought of as a place that's a family vacation market, which — of course — it is," Nierenberg said. "But in this particular case, we have something for adults that is hard to find."
There are several safety precautions before anyone is allowed to fire any firearm at Machine Gun America.
"The idea here is we're not a gun range, (and) people can't bring their own weapons," Nierenberg said. "You have to shoot here on a program. Everybody shoots individually with a range safety officer, and no one ever shoots by themselves."
Packages start at $99, and they include firearms like an AK-47 and the M4 carbine.
"We also have guns like Tommy Guns (Thompson submachine gun), Uzis — the ones that people see in the movies, as well as the ones that have been used extensively in the military, like M16s, M4s, M5s," Nierenberg said.
Shooters as young as 13 years old can get their hands on any of the guns available to adults, but anyone under 17 years old must be with a parent. Everyone shooting has to sign a waiver.
Emelinda Jackson, a former police officer, said she isn't worried about potential criticism or danger.
"I think it's all in how you know how to use it," Jackson said Saturday at Machine Gun America. "If you get familiar with them, it's like everything. Once you get the practice, it's very easy to use."
There are precautions in place, like the two locked doors that lead to the shooting area. Only one door opens at a time.
Safety instructors have the final say over who is allowed to fire any guns.
Machine Gun America also offers virtual live action in its simulators, but that doesn't include real guns. Instead, participants aim lasers at virtual targets.