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  4. CBP Opens New Federal Shooting Range in Calais

CBP Opens New Federal Shooting Range in Calais

Release Date
Fri, 01/06/2017

Calais, ME – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officially opened a new indoor firing range in Calais, Maine on Wednesday. The new range provides CBP officers the ability to train in an environment more accurately reflective of situations they may encounter in the field as well as reduced travel requirements and reduced expenses for the agency.

“Law enforcement has always been and will continue to be a dangerous profession,” said Boston Director of Field Operations William A. Ferrara.  “This new range will equip our CBP officers with enhanced training opportunities which are critical to mitigating the inherent risks associated with our daily responsibilities.”

CBP personnel use the new shooting range in Calais, Maine on January 4.
CBP personnel use the new shooting range in
Calais, Maine on January 4.

While the new Calais Port of Entry opened in 2009, at the time, the agency was unable to open the range due to significant operational cost associated with the handling and cleaning of lead.  Several months ago, CBP reengaged the General Services Administration (GSA) and requested a new estimate on the annual cost to operate and clean the facility. The new estimate was markedly lower than it was in 2009.  Given the reduced cost, and the numerous operational benefits that would come from using the range, CBP is pleased to announce that the new range is now open. 

The range features:

  • Four firing lanes, each 25 yards long;
  • Rotating targets which provide a more realistic assessment of a shooters abilities;
  • Targets that can move forward and backwards to simulate an attacking threat in scenario-based training;
  • Low light qualification capabilities and the addition of strobe lights to enhance the training environment and stress inoculation; and
  • Technology that allows instructors to program different shooting scenarios as well as verbally communicate with officers on the range.

The men and women of CBP are responsible for enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws and regulations. On a typical day, CBP welcomes nearly one million visitors, screens more than 70,000 cargo containers, apprehends close to 1,000 individuals between ports of entry, and seizes nearly five tons of illicit drugs.

For more on Customs and Border Protection’s mission at our nation’s ports of entry visit www.CBP.gov.

 

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021