Dear editor,
In August 2021, Majik Firearms opened its doors in Rockdale. The initial plan was to provide limited sales of guns and ammunition to the community, as I still work full-time at Dell (night shift). However, customers poured in, and it was clear the store could become a viable retirement business for me; I decided to give it a go and started the plans for a full-time storefront.
Over the next few months, Majik Firearms grew, and store inventory improved. Classes for License to Carry were offered and I hired Bob as my first employee. I continued to build business relationships, garner credit with distributors and other vendors, opened accounts at local banks.
In January 2022, with a clear need for a shooting range, I started planning to build one in Rockdale. It would be a good step in business, provide a great service to the community and give law enforcement personnel a place to qualify their officers.
The current plan is a 13,000-square-foot facility. It will include, approximately 6,000-square-foot indoor pistol and rifle range lanes, 600-squarefoot training room, 6,000-square-foot storefront and supporting office spaces.
I did some research on what was needed and quickly realized there was no ordinance allowing a shooting range in Rockdale, so that would be my first step. I contacted the city manager. With her help, I met with the city zoning board and my request was approved unanimously. From there it went to city council and approved four to one to write the ordinance. Working closely with city officials, the ordinance was drafted and later approved by the zoning board. It went back to city council and was sent to our city attorney for review.
I had COVID for the next city council meeting and out of town for the one after that. It was at the last meeting where the project hit a snag. Three of the council and the mayor had been replaced. The new members voted against the ordinance and the mayor tabled it until next meeting.
Although I was not present, I had several folks come to the store to tell me what happened and to voice concern. Again, I wasn’t there, but apparently there was a heated discussion over what the shooting range would bring to Rockdale.
Specifically, some council members believed a shooting range would provide firearms to underaged kids or those who should not have them. There was also concern the range would lead to shootings like those we have seen in the news recently. This could not be further from the truth.
First, the shooting range would not be selling any firearms. That is done in gun stores and has been done by gun stores in Rockdale for decades.
Furthermore, anyone who has purchased a firearm from Majik Firearms, knows we do not bend the rules for anyone. Even when we could legally sell a gun to someone, due to a delay in their background check, we don’t. We do not sell a gun to anyone who does not have a license to carry or has not passed the background check with a “proceed.”
Secondly, anyone coming into the range will be required to present ID to prove their age, follow the posted rules, and most of all, be monitored by instructors or range safety officers. Anyone acting in an unsafe manner will be removed. Anyone not following the rules and laws associated with the range will be dealt with swiftly. If necessary, with the help of local law enforcement.
No unsafe or illegal activity will be tolerated and we will enforce a zero-tolerance on such activities.
Today, we are at a crossroads. The vote to pass the ordinance will happen at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 8, during the next city council meeting. If the council votes against it, the range will not be allowed in Rockdale. If this happens, it will force me to find a different location away from Rockdale. Once that is done, the gun store will also move out of town.
I believe being concerned is good, but the new council members are not looking at the reality of the situation. The arguments offered by those on council opposing the range aren’t realistic, are not even close to true and do not consider any of the benefits of having it in Rockdale.
Citizens want the range, and it will be built somewhere. Wherever the range and gun store end up is where the tax dollars will also go. As it stands today, Majik Firearms is on a path to about $600,000 in gross revenue and employs three people. When the new facility comes online, it will bring in over a million dollars a year and employ 10 or more people.
That said, I ask for the full support of all Rockdale voters and surrounding area residents, law enforcement, civic organizations and others. Let’s get this ordinance passed so we can have the first and only facility in the county to offer education, training, recreation and a safe place to practice for everyone for miles around.
Thanks,
Tony Ellis
1975 US Submarine Veteran 1988
Majik Firearms, LLC
512-429-2071
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