As a seasoned Angeleno who has navigated the tumultuous waters of Hollywood for years, I must say that The Range L.A. is a breath of fresh air amidst the smog and chaos. This ain’t no dingy, warehouse-dwelling gun club where you rub shoulders with unsavory characters – it’s a glitzy, high-end, guns-blazing playground for the A-listers!
It might seem incredibly ill-advised on the surface: Assemble a group of ruthless Hollywood agents, confine them in a room devoid of windows and soundproofed, arm them with firearms and provide ammunition.
Indeed, The Range L.A., a recently established exclusive shooting club in West Los Angeles, adjacent to Sepulveda Boulevard, has been thriving quite remarkably. The opulent 11,500-square-foot establishment, equipped with high-end amenities such as plush VIP lounges, gourmet treats, 16 modern target ranges, a Virtual Reality “shooting experience” area, and an assortment of rentable historic firearms including one resembling the .44 Magnum used by Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry, has been operational for less than a year. However, it’s already drawing an upscale clientele typically found in neighborhoods like the Bird Streets or San Vicente Bungalows, with talent agents from CAA and UTA, executives from the studios, and a scattering of movie stars (Samuel L. Jackson among them), eager to invest up to $20,000 annually to engage in target practice and mutter under their breath, “Do you feel lucky, punk?
According to Peter Diamond, a 58-year-old ex-film crew member who launched The Range in February, it appears that agents and entertainment lawyers are particularly attracted to it. They describe it as an effective method for relaxation, much like visiting a batting cage and hitting 500 baseballs would be.
Eric, my brother and a 62-year-old attorney based in L.A., describes our establishment as a place where people can engage in target shooting. He highlights the recent improvements such as Kevlar-coated walls and an air filtration system designed to handle gun smoke, during a comprehensive walkthrough of the premises, which was once an L.A. Probation Department office on Missouri Avenue.
Indeed, The Range isn’t the first firearms haven in Los Angeles. Prior to its closure in the 90s, there was the old Beverly Hills Gun Club. However, this venue wasn’t really located in Beverly Hills nor did it offer the luxurious feel of a club. Instead, it was a rather drab and functional shooting range hidden away in a gritty west L.A. warehouse district, with an atmosphere as welcoming as a Greyhound bus terminal.
There are a few other functional options further away, such as the LAX Firing Range close to the airport and the Firing-Line range in Burbank. However, the atmosphere at these places is similar to that of a bowling alley. The brilliance of the Diamond brothers’ idea lies in their transformation; they’ve elevated the ordinary target range into a premium destination, complete with the luxurious amenities you’d find at a Four Seasons hotel… but with a twist – instead of offering spa services, they provide Glocks to their guests.
A prominent talent agent, who became a member shortly after it opened, comments, “At other shooting ranges, I’m often beside individuals associated with gangs.” In this establishment, however, everyone has been thoroughly screened. You’re well aware of the club members’ identities. They are colleagues from the industry. You can be certain that no one will accidentally mistarget you because of an unfortunate misunderstanding.
No, not by accident.
This story appeared in the Dec. 4 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
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2024-12-08 21:24