If you ever get to Las Vegas, there’s no question that you’ll have lots of entertainment options competing for your dollar. Having been there a number of times for both work and pleasure, there’s one place that I recommend you try at least once: The Gun Store. Yep, The Gun Store Las Vegas.

Now, you CAN buy a gun there, but that’s not really why I suggest that you go and check it out. The main reason is because it’s just plain fun. I know that lots of folks who’ve been around guns might find this intensely boring, but for others, the gun store is a blast because they have just about every kind of machine gun and hand gun you can think of – and the best is that YOU GET TO SHOOT them.

If this sounds strange to you, I can understand….until you try it. It’s a real rush. I shot an M-16, an AK-47, an UZI, a Ruger Super Red Eagle (which is bigger and badder than a .357 Magnum in my opinion), a Glock .9mm, and a few other less notables

Anyway, how many movies have you watched in the last year or two where there was some gun play? Probably lots right? We’ll I think it’s worth feeling what some of that weaponry feels like in your own hands. Only in Vegas eh? Yeah.

You will have a guide there showing you how to load and shoot whatever you’re trying out. It’s damn loud, even with the ear protection on. You are also required to wear protective eyewear. The part that was a little weird for me though, was when we asked why our guide has a .9mm on his hip with extra clips. The answer: “Well, over the years we’ve had one or two unstable come in here and we think that it’s important for us to protect the other customers”. I see. Can we leave now?

Somehow I’m not thinking that if someone goes postal with an AK-47 that anyone’s going to have much time or better horsepower. But seriously, when asked about the safety of the experience, they had many good reasons why you’re probably safer inside the shooting range at The Gun Store than you are out on the strip. Just look what happened to Tupac, who had a bodyguard.

Know that you’re going to need a shower when you’re done because the gun powder will be all over you and in your hair. In fact they give you a special card to show at security when you leave Las Vegas International because the dogs and the security guards regularly pick up traces of gun powder on most tourists who have visited The Gun Store – not a subject you want to mess around with in our post 9-11 society.

Usually when I’m in Vegas for the weekend, it seems I’m over the legal limit most of the trip. However, when planning a trip to The Gun Store, you may wish to arrive sober for obvious reasons. I recommend you check this place out. It’s probably more fun for the guys on a boys weekend out, than it is for the women. Although Traci seemed to enjoy herself more than I did.

Once you’ve shot however many rounds you’ve purchased into your target (in front of a giant sand pile), the guns go away and you return the protective eye wear and ear covers. Be prepared when polite and knowledgeable staff ask if you’d like to purchase any of the guns in the display cases.

“Oh yes, I’d like the AK-47 please”.