Roswell residents may be able to legally fire their guns within city limits by the end of this year.

A ground breaking ceremony was held Friday for Sharp Shooters USA, a firing range planned for Alpharetta Highway.

The $4.5 million facility was designed to include 24 firing lanes, a retail section and a training center, Sharp Shooters owner Tom Deets said.

“Our goal is to promote firearm safety, responsibility and proficiency through education and training,” he said.

Equipment for the facility was purchased from Action Target, a company that produces law enforcement and military range equipment. It includes technology like the Total Containment Trap, which captures fired bullets, slows them down and immediately transports them to an outdoor lead disposal container.

“We’re going to be a clean, modern facility,” said Deets.

Deets, himself a former DeKalb County police officer, listed several features planned for law enforcement training purposes such as a lighting system which can be adjusted to mimic different times of day and night.

Deets and business partner Kenneth Burson conceived the idea for Sharp Shooters after they realized how far some officers must drive— to ranges in locations like Pickens County— to reach a practice range, Deets said.

“We thought they should have a place to come and train and not have to drive great distances,” he said.

Roswell Mayor Jere Wood said the range will be beneficial for law enforcement officers.

“They train less when they’ve got to travel and it also costs us money to send them there. I believe they’ll receive more training because it’s so close,” Wood said.

“Plus, it’ll be nice to shoot a gun legally in Roswell, I’m looking forward to doing that,” he added.

However, Sharp Shooters USA is not solely devoted to law enforcement training.

“We want everyone to know that they’re going to feel welcome and comfortable, no matter what their level of experience,” said Deets.

Sharp Shooters owners have planned classes for multiple experience levels and mandatory safety seminars for first time visitors.

Catamount Constructors have scheduled five to six months to complete the building, with a target end date of Dec. 1. During the construction phase, owners of Sharp Shooters plan to hold a “Founding Membership” drive, and offer discounted memberships. Pricing plans have not been finalized, but details should soon be available online, said Deets.

Information: visit www.sharpshootersusa.com.