THE UNOFFICIAL DEFCON SHOOT PAGE
WHAT
WHERE
WHEN
WHY
WHOA
WOOT!
WOW!
The DEFCON Shoot is a public event that happens just prior to the DEFCON hacker conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Anyone who wants to can show up and for a small fee make use of a private range located about 30 minutes outside of the city. There are opportunities to see and possibly shoot some of the weapons belonging to your friends. It is also possible to rent firearms (including Class-III full autos) from the range itself. In addition to having a number of terrific pieces of hardware on-site, the range is directly affiliated with Small Arms Review Magazine and thus has access to their nearly limitless archive of equipment. Anything from a WWII Bren Gun to a Vulcan Cannon-style Minigun is possible.
The facility that currently hosts the DEFCON Shoot is Desert Lake Shooting Club. Located in Boulder City, NV this beautifully-appointed range is less than a half hour away from Las Vegas.
With over 80 acres of Nevada's outback land to call their own, Desert Lake offers loads of range space, splendid facilities, a beautiful clubhouse, and knowledgeable staff to help both novices and veterans get the most out of their shooting day.
Since this range is only ten minutes away from Lake Meade, some of those who attend the DEFCON Shoot consider visiting Hoover Dam that same morning after we cleaning up.
The 2008 DEFCON Shoot took place on the morning of Thursday the 7th. We began rallying all interested parties in the lobby of the Riviera Hotel around 6:00 and were underway by 6:30. The shoot itself took place from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Desert Lake Range. Future DEFCON Shoots will likely follow this formula.
After shooting we had an hour or more to relax in the cool, air-conditioned comfort of the range clubhouse and sip drinks from their fully-stocked bar while cleaning our weapons in the grand ballroom.
We were back in our vehicles and departing Desert Lake by 11:00 AM in order to be back at the Riviera with plenty of time to spare so that all folks attending the ToxicBBQ had time to clean up, change, etc.
For many years, the DEFCON Shoot was a beloved part of the world's largest hacker convention. Gun owning geeks would rally together in Vegas for DEFCON and -- in between the talks, parties, and general goings-on in Sin City -- they would take the time one morning to head out in the desert and blow off some steam by letting loose with loads of ordinance. Organized by CHS, a highly venerated DEFCON Goon, this event took place year after year until 2005.
As is so often the case with events at DEFCON, times had changed and the event had outgrown its surroundings. For a number of years, there was no DEFCON Shoot... the ranges where it had taken place in the past had been swallowed up by the city's suburban sprawl and folks just needed a break. Now, however, with the help of some new blood, the event is being resurrected and will take place this summer just before DEFCON 16. While CHS is no longer leading the proceedings, we certainly hope to see him and many of the veterans of past DC-Shoot events at the firing line.
I frequently used to gather some of my closest compadres for trips to local rental ranges like The Gun Store or American Shooters, but since I have only been attending DEFCON since DC8 I thus missed out on a great deal of the earlier fun. Nowadays, I have become the DEFCON Shoot's primary coordinator and have tried to whip up enough gun enthusiasts' support to see this sort of high-powered good time continue happening.
While the final cost figures can't be determined with absolute certainty until we have assurances by most people who will be participating, I have worked out the following system by which most people will be able to pay their fair share towards the event.
$20 for basic shooters - Folks who are simply attending the Shoot (and either bringing their own guns or shooting weapons brought by friends) will pay this towards the common financial pool. It gives you access to the range as well as admission to the clubhouse and bar afterwards.
$200 for full auto renters - Those who are interested in getting some rock and roll trigger time on Class-III gear will have the opportunity to rent a full auto package for $200. (You can still stick around and shoot your own gear, as well, aside from your full auto fun time.)
The Class-III package at Desert Lake is three weapons and a 25-round magazine for each of them. You can purchase additional ammo for more target-busting fun from the range if you wish to, as well. The weapons included in this package are an M-4 Stoner rifle, an AK-47 Kalashnikov, and a Heckler & Koch MP-5 submachine gun.
In addition to these terrific prices, by the way, I also bring assorted prizes that I give away to participants who stand out in categories that we will make up as a group while planning the event. In addition to typical achievements like "best marksmanship" we also reward "most kickass target destruction" both in a "single shot" and "fire until your weapon is dry" categories.
So, you think you'd like to participate in the newly-revitalized DEFCON Shoot? That's great! I can't do it without you! Swing on over to the DEFCON Forums to talk with others about the shoot or just email me... deviant [åt] deviating [döt] net
This past summer prior to DEFCON 16, the planning and sign-ups focused on filling up the following chart. While i was sweating and worried in the weeks leading up to the con, as the date drew nearer we had more and more interest expressed... and as you can see in the end it all worked out very well.
We can't have the shoot without you, so don't delay... let us know your level of interest today!
WOW! LOOKS LIKE YOU ALL HAD FUN!
Yes, indeed... it's always a great time when you get a bunch of gun people together. Here are some photos from the 2008 DEFCON Shoot...
