Copendero Indoor Archery, Pistol & Rifle Range is a family-friendly archery and gun range with a focus on providing firearm safety and education. The Texas-sized range is owned by Jerry Copeland, an avid hunter who said he shot his first deer at the age of 7.

“​​Classes are a big part of it, and helping to develop the youth within the hunting and firearm industry,” Copeland said.

The setup

Copendero offers its services to anyone from first-time shooters to professionals, including law enforcement.

With multiple 25-yard handgun and archery lanes, an in-house cafe, a full-scale retail shop and its main attraction—a 100-yard indoor rifle range—Copendero focuses on providing an environment that enforces firearm safety education.


Copeland said he attempts to instill firearm safety in people at a young age by offering several class options from basic firearm safety courses to advanced courses. The goal is to provide a gun license to those who want to gain confidence and familiarity with firearms in a safe setting, he said.

Copeland said Copendero is currently working with the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts to help them achieve their badges in archery.

It is typically recommended that children who want to learn to shoot take basic courses to learn how to properly handle a firearm and observe others prior to shooting. Children must also be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian while shooting in Copendero's gun or archery range, he said.

“We want zero accidents, and we want it to be a great learning experience for kids, not something they're afraid of in the future,” Copeland said.


Sorting out the details

Copendero specializes in providing gun and archery ranges with advanced technology using the Action Target Genesis system.

With a 25-yard shooting range consisting of seven lanes and a 25-yard tactical range with five lanes, Copendero provides screen devices in each lane where customers can customize their shooting experience. Customers can select the distance of the target placement and the lighting desired, and the site includes a camera where customers can view their targets up close.

Copendero customers are welcome to bring their own firearms, or they can rent a firearm from the facility; however, rentals must comply with Copendero's regulations and they must use ammo provided at the gun range.


Prior to shooting first time, customers are required to fill out a safety waiver and demonstrate their firearm capabilities. Anyone renting a gun must also fill out a rental waiver and leave a driver's license with the rental attendant.

“You don't have to hunt to have fun with guns. You don't have to do that. It's just another tool, another recreation; but safety is number one,” Copeland said.